Hoya Wibergiae: Noteworthy Care Tips for this Wonderful Houseplant

The Hoya wibergiae of the Apocynaceae family, also known as Hoya verticillata, is a unique variety of Hoyas that is native to the amazing forests of the Maldives, India, and Indonesia.

The Hoya wibergiae can make your home outstanding with its fruity scent, stunning green leaves that have splotches, and silver linings that can change to pale purple or glowing pink.

The Hoya wibergiae pink has splashes of pink color all on its leaf’s surfaces. This article covers all the information that you need to know on how to care for this beautiful hoya genus plant with gloriously colored foliage.

What Is Hoya Wibergiae?

The Hoya wibergiae is a climber with tiny star-like fragrant inflorescences that bloom twice a year. The Hoya wibergiae flowers are white, with pink to purple centers. The plant has glossy tints on the silver petals that sparkle when exposed to light. This hoya can revitalize and purify the air.

Hoya Wibergiae Care

Like any other houseplant, proper care should be done to keep your Hoya wibergiae happy and elegant.

Water Requirements

Water is essential for your Hoya wibergiae to photosynthesize, absorb, and transport nutrients to all parts of the plant. Although the plant can retain moisture, we encourage that you water it regularly in spring and summer. 

This is the growing season for Hoya wibergiae so the plant needs an increased amount of water for blossoming and vigorous growth. The rate of transpiration and evaporation increases during summer due to high temperatures, which is why there is a need for it to be kept hydrated.

You should water the Hoya wibergiae at least three times a week in spring and summer to quickly replace the lost moisture. Avoid over and underwatering as the plant may be vulnerable to pests and diseases. 

Additionally, do not water your plant with cold water as it may affect the health and growth of your plant. You should also irrigate your Hoya wibergiae with fresh bottled water, rainwater, or tap water that you should leave outside for 24 hours in an open bowl to eliminate the chloride and fluoride.

In winter, you should reduce the watering to once or twice a month as the Hoya wibergiae will be in its dormancy phase. Cooler temperatures also slow down evaporation and transpiration so the potting mix will be moist for extended periods of time.

Allow the topsoil to completely dry before the next watering. The pot should also have drainage holes so that excess water can escape, leaving your Hoya wibergiae sitting in well-moistened but not soggy soil.

Light Requirements

Place the Hoya wibergiae in a spot where it will receive bright, indirect light. Although the Hoya wibergiae does not like too much sun, placing it in the shade for a prolonged period can cause stunted growth. 

Make sure your plant is getting enough indirect light, especially in summer so that it blooms. You should place the Hoya wibergiae on the east or north-facing window but not too close to avoid scorching and dehydrating the plant.

If you put the Hoya wibergiae on the window sill, make sure you filter the sun using a light curtain or blinders. As the weather transform, the frequency and intensity of the sun also change.

You should then move your Hoya wiberqiae to a window that provides enough light. You can also place the plant outside during the day and take it indoors in the evening when the temperatures fall.

If the Hoya wibergiae is not receiving enough sunlight, get a grow light. Use the grow lights that provide a complete, blue spectrum for your plant to get enough light.

Consider also buying LED lights as they have a timer for adjustments so that you won’t burn the plant. Remember also to put the light in a strategic position so that the Hoya wibergiae can get adequate light for vibrant leaf color and vigorous growth.

Soil Requirements

Use a fertile, well-draining potting mix that is light and airy. A mixture of 40 percent peat moss, 30 percent fine orchid bark, and 30 percent perlite can work well. This potting mix can retain moisture properly for a long time.

It also prevents the soil from becoming soggy it drains excess water perfectly. You can also improve soil drainage and water retention by adding charcoal bits and coconut coir to your potting mix.

If the soil is not draining water correctly, you can see a pool of water on the surface of the potting mix. Waterlogging will promote the development of root rot due to fungal infection. Therefore, keep in mind to avoid this, make sure the pot has enough draining holes.

The soil should also be slightly acidic, so you should maintain a pH level of 6 to 7. This neutral to slightly acidic soil can ensure that the nutrients are available to your plant. The slightly acidic soil also keeps the bacteria away from your Hoya wibergiae plant.

Temperature Requirements

The Hoya wibergiae prefers warm temperatures that are between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. You may not encounter difficulties in maintaining these temperatures as they match most home temperatures. The Hoya wibergiae can tolerate a minimum temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperatures that are below 60 degrees Fahrenheit can stop the growth of your Wibergiae plant. You can quickly notice this because the leaves will show signs of discoloring and drooping. 

The Hoya wibergiae can endure more intense sunlight than cold or freezing temperatures. You should protect your plant from very high temperatures and cold drafts. Make sure the cooling and heating vents are far from your Hoya wibergiae as they can also inhibit the plant’s growth.

Humidity Requirements

The Hoya wibergiae prefers average to high humidity levels of 50 to 60 percent. High humidity levels can make the leaves of your Hoya wibergiae look healthy and happy as it minimizes excessive transpiration. The plant can also thrive under low humidity levels but for optimum growth, a more humid environment is best.

Consider getting a digital hygrometer so that you can quickly notice any changes in the humidity levels. The hygrometer shows the maximum and minimum humidity from the day you reset it.

You can remedy low humidity levels by putting your houseplants in clusters so that when they transpire, the water vapor increases. Make sure to do frequent checks on the water in the reservoir so that you can refill when necessary.

The pebble tray is also ideal for improving humidity levels. Fill the pebble tray with water and hang your Hoya wibergiae a few inches above the tray. The pot should not sit in water, otherwise, your plant’s roots might become soaked in a wet potting mix. The humidity level around your plant will increase as the water evaporates.

Fertilizing Requirements

The Hoya wibergiae can flourish without fertilizers but adding a little in summer to boost the growth of leaves, stems, and flowers is a worth-the-while move. Apply a well-balanced liquid fertilizer once or twice a month with a ratio of 20:20:20 so that the Hoya wibergiae will not lack any nutrients.

Dilute the fertilizer to half-strength to weaken the mineral salts in it so that your Hoya wibergiae will not suffer from root burn.

You should also avoid over-fertilizing your Wibergiae plant. If you see a white crust on the surface of the soil or a build-up of salts on the outside of the pot, know that you have over-fertilized your Hoya wibergiae. Immediately stop applying more fertilizer and flush water through the pot when irrigating to remove the excess salts.

Stop applying fertilizer in winter because the plant will be in its dormant stage. You should also water the plant before adding fertilizer to avoid burning the plant roots. You can also apply organic fertilizers like compost, fish emulsion, worm castings, and orchid that are free from mineral salts.

Pruning

The Hoya wibergiae grows fast and longer, developing many leaves that are three to four inches long. You may need to trim the stems and some leaves so that you maintain your plant’s attractive and neat look. You can also prune the Hoya wibergiae if it is now blocking your way. You should also consider trimming the only damaged, discolored, and dying leaves.

Pruning the sick leaves can foster better growth in your plant. You should also prune the Hoya wibergiae to stop it from tangling around other plants if you do not like the results. If the Hoya wibergiae is healthy and climbing the trellis while maintaining a good appearance, do not prune it. You can allow it to trail down as well so that you can achieve a bushier look.

Use the cutting tools that are disinfected to prevent the spread of microbial infections. Also, remember to wear gloves to avoid direct contact with the plant as it may cause irritation.

Propagation

Replicating Hoya wibergiae can be successfully done using stem cuttings. The seeds can also be used for propagating this plant but the chances of getting the exact plant as the mother are very slim. The seeds may also fail to germinate.

– Using Stem Cuttings

The stems are efficient and the new Hoya wibergiae will have the same features as the mother plant. Get a sharp sterilized cutting shear or a knife to cut the stem. Cut the stem at any point including the top part, making sure that the cutting is four or five inches long. Do not forget to wear gloves and goggles.

Your cutting should have two to three leaves and at least two nodes where the plant roots will develop from. Choose a healthy plant that is not flowering so that you can successfully propagate the Hoya wibergiae.

Make an angled cut below the stem node and dip the cutting in the rooting hormone. Put your cutting in a clear jar that is filled with water but remember to change the water regularly and clean the container to prevent the possible development of algae.

You can also plant your Hoya wibergiae cutting in soil and the nodes should be covered with the potting mix, leaving the leaves outside. Place your pot or glass jar in a spot where the Hoya wibergiae will get good humidity, bright indirect sunlight, and warm temperatures. 

Expect the Hoya wibergiae plant to develop roots within three to five weeks. Transfer only the Hoya wibergiae cutting from the jar to its permanent pot when the roots are two inches long and keep it moist until it’s well established.

Problems

The Hoya wibergiae is rarely affected by pests and diseases. Always check for them so that you can successfully treat them at an early stage.

– Thrips

Thrips use their mouthparts to feed on plant sap. The infected Hoya wibergiae will have white, round spots on the leaves. Do not confuse the white marks with the natural silver traces of the leaves. The trips target the Hoya wibergiae’s flowers most and they are usually in congregants.

The thrips are also dangerous to your plant because they can carry viruses from one plant to another. If you suspect thrips infection, place some white sheets of paper on the surface of the potting mix and shake the plant. You can easily identify the fallen pests on the paper sheets as they are so minute to identify while on the plant leaves.

Use Neem oil to treat thrips. Neem oil has antiseptic properties that can destroy the thrips at any stage of their life cycle. You can also use insecticidal soap to kill thrips by dissolving the outer coat that protects these pests from other pesticides. Spray the Neem or insecticidal soap repeatedly until you destroy all the thrips.

– Mealybugs

Mealybugs are tiny pests that can be difficult to identify with your naked eye. Check for cotton-like deposits, waxy strips, and honeydew on the plant leaves and stems to identify attacks by mealybugs. The mealybugs are plant-juice suckers so the affected plant leaves can turn yellow or start to wilt.

You should isolate the affected plant as soon as you notice the infection. You can then treat the plant using Neem oil, insecticidal soap, or 70 percent Isopropyl alcohol solution.

– Spider Mites

Spider mites are also tiny sap-sucking pests that can cause the yellowing of plant leaves. Check for spider mites on the undersides of the leaves. Please note that they can be difficult to identify because of their size. The spots and yellow leaves are the signs of a spider mite attack.

Isolate the infected Hoya wibergiae and commence treatment immediately. You can destroy them by blasting the plant with water using a garden hose but be careful not to damage the plant leaves. For best results, you can also use 70 percent isopropyl alcohol solution or Neem oil.

The Hoya wibergiae prefers high humidity levels and this can chase away the spider mites. If you see the spider mites around your plant, it is also a good sign that the humidity is low. You should, therefore, increase the humidity using different methods that we mentioned earlier in this article.

– Root Rot

Root rot can be a result of overwatering. The Hoya wibergiae does not tolerate overwatering due to its epiphytic roots and thick leaves that can store moisture so, make sure you monitor your watering.

You should also use a well-draining potting mix to avoid waterlogging. You can trigger the development of fungi if you allow your Hoya wibergiae to sit in soaked soil for prolonged periods.

It can be difficult to identify root rot as the roots will be covered by the potting mix. The disease can cause the blackening of plant roots and if the infection is not controlled in time, it can spread to the stems.

Root rot also causes stunted growth and the plant can start to die slowly. Once you identify root rot on your Hoya wibergiae, quarantine it but if the plant is completely damaged, discard it.

You can save your Hoya wibergiea by trimming the affected roots and repot the plant in a new pot and the soil. You can also cut the healthy part of the stem and propagate to get a new Hoya wibergiae. You can use cinnamon as a natural fungicide to treat fungal infections. You should follow the watering schedules to avoid overwatering so that you can hinder the infection.

– Toxicity

The Hoya wibergiae is not poisonous to human beings and pets but its milky juice can irritate. Make sure your wear protective clothing when you are working on the plant. The Hoya wibergiae is considered a non-toxic plant but ingesting any part of the plant can cause problems like vomiting. The plant sap is not good for human consumption. 

Keep the Hoya wibergiae away from the reach of pets and children. Consult the doctor or the veterinarian immediately if anyone or your pet consumes the plant.

FAQ

When Should a Hoya Wibergiae be Repotted?

The Hoya Wibergiae should be repotted after two to three years. The new pot should be slightly larger than the old one. If you see the roots coming out of the pot through the drainage holes, the plant is ready for repotting. Use the new potting mix and pot when repotting to avoid the spread of pests and diseases to your plant’s new home.

Water your Hoya Wibergiae so that you can easily remove it from the old pot. Check for root rot and damaged roots and trim them prior to planting your Hoya wibergiae in the new pot. If you decide to use the previously used pot, make sure you thoroughly clean and disinfect it prior to placing the plant. After cleaning the pot, allow it to completely dry before use.

Can Hoya Wibergiae thrive in low light?

Hoya Wibergiae can tolerate low light conditions, but it thrives best in moderate to bright indirect light.

What do I feed my Hoya Wibergiae?

Feed your Hoya Wibergiae with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength, every 2-4 weeks during the growing season.

Conclusion

You have learned all the comprehensive guidelines that are essential as you care for your Hoya wibergiae. Before you go, let’s go through the main points once again.

• The Hoya wibergiae prefers to be watered regularly in summer, not in winter.
• The plant thrives well indoors where it will get indirect, bright light.
• The Hoya wibergiae grows well in high humidity environments with a temperature range that is between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
• You should apply a well-balanced liquid fertilizer that is diluted to half-strength once a month in spring and summer to improve the plant’s blooming.
• Propagation can be done using stem cuttings and always checking for mealybugs, thrips, and root rot.

You can now successfully take care of your Hoya wibergiae using the information you get from this article. Get started today and enjoy the beauty of this enticing plant and the purified air!