Last Updated on January 17, 2023 by Grow with Bovees
Adding a little greenery to your home immediately spruces up any room!
However, some homeowners desire natural beauty but without the extra effort. If this description sounds like you, Hoya Obovata is just the plant for you!
They are a faster growing variety of Hoya, easy to care for, attractive semi-succulent trailing plants characterized by thick, waxy leaves, long tendrils, and silvery splash patterns.
Hoya Obovata thrives in 60% humidity, with half a day of bright sunlight — A sunny south-facing window is perfect!
It needs watering once the first two inches of soil dry out.
Plant Hoya Obovata in well-draining potting soil and provide diluted fertilizer once or twice a month from spring to summer.
Hoya Obovata plants are trendy houseplants, and for a good reason!
They make fabulous hanging plants and can easily climb trellises and moss poles. Fortunately, Hoyas are relatively easy to care for, and today we’ll give you just what you need to keep them thriving.
Hoya Obovata Characteristics
Hoya Obovata is a gorgeous epiphyte plant commonly known as wax plants. Hoya Obovata is native to India and Indonesia and has a USDA hardy zone of 10 to 11.
Hoya Obovata grows along tree trunks and branches of their host trees, maturing 12 to 20 feet in length.
Hoya Obovata is a robust climbing plant with large, rounded, or inverted heart-shaped, leathery, dark green leaves adorned with silver freckles.
These spring to summer blooming plants have light pink, semi-pendant inflorescences of up to 25 blooms hanging upon its twining green stems.
While Hoya Obovata’s aren’t typically grown for their blooms as they tend to only bloom after at least two to three years, hoya flowers are pretty stunning and fragrant if you are lucky enough to see them.
You can grow these beautiful plants in hanging baskets or as a trailer off of a plant shelf if grown at home.
Sunlight Requirements for Hoya Obovata
In their natural habitat, Hoya Obovatas trail among trees and receive bright, dappled light.
They need consistently bright light to thrive, especially if you want yours to bloom.
So, if your Hoya Obovata is grown outdoors, keep the plant away from harsh, direct sunlight as they can get sunburned. However, when grown indoors, I would recommend at least half a day of direct sunlight.
So, situate your Hoya Obovata in the brightest location that you have — A sunny south-facing window is perfect!
Temperature Requirements for Hoya Obovata
Hoya Obovata is native to tropical climates; they aren’t at all frost tolerant and prefer a warm environment. The ideal temperature for Hoya Obovata ranges between 60 °F to85 °F.
Be warned, they don’t enjoy cold temperatures.
Water Requirements for Hoya Obovata
If you’ve ever examined your Hoya Obovata keenly, you probably noticed that it has ultra-thick leaves, meaning that they retain more water than your typical thin-leaved houseplants.
So, Hoya Obovata plants are drought tolerant and can get by for a few weeks without any watering.
It’s important to note that Hoya Obovatas are extremely sensitive to overwatering! So, with that in mind, allow the soil to dry out thoroughly between watering.
Then, in colder fall and winter months, cut back on watering as this plant is semi-dormant.
Tip: Use your finger to test the dryness of the soil. Allow the first two inches of the potting soil to dry out before watering your plant.
Your plant can safely tolerate infrequent watering and a certain level of drought, but don’t let it stay wholly dried out for too long.
Soil Requirements for Hoya Obovata
Hoya Obovata does not do well in water-logged soil, so ensure that they are planted in airy, well-draining soil mixes.
A mixture of peat moss, perlite, and orchid bark is a popular soil combination for Hoya Obovata plants as it provides adequate drainage and reduces the risk of root rot.
Tip: Add some horticultural charcoal to improve your medium’s drainage further.
In addition, horticultural charcoal absorbs impurities, protecting your plant from bacteria and fungi.
Fertilizer Requirements for Hoya Obovata
Hoyas Obovata need to be fertilized regularly during the spring and summer for best growth!
Hoya Obovata needs plenty of nitrogen to boost their lush foliage. Therefore, a fertilizer with a 2:1:2 or 3:1:2 NPK (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) ratio is ideal for Hoya Obovata.
If you notice that your plant is about to bloom, consider switching to a fertilizer high in phosphorus to encourage prolific blooming further.
Once your Hoya attains a good size, you can switch to a well-balanced fertilizer.
As for frequency, consider fertilizing your Hoya Obovata once or twice a month during spring and summer, but cut back on the frequency in the winter, as it doesn’t need so much extra nutrients during winter times.
Humidity Requirements for Hoya Obovata
The Hoya Obovata is a tropical plant, preferring a slightly humid environment of at least 60 percent.
However, a 60 percent humidity climate is not a requirement, as Hoyas can typically thrive in normal household humidity levels and temperatures.
Avoid placing your Hoya Obovata too close to fans or heat vents to ensure that they aren’t exposed to any extreme temperatures.
Tip: If you have a humidifier at home, consider moving your Hoya closer to it or frequently mist your Hoya Obovata.
Does My Hoya Obovata Need Pruning?
If your Hoya Obovota is blooming, it is important not to dead-head the flower stalks as the Hoya tends to bloom again from the same stalk.
However, if you’re wondering if your Hoya Obovata needs pruning, the answer is usually yes.
How?
First, cut away all damaged or wilted leaves, vines, and branches. Then, remove all foliage displaying signs of pests or diseases indicated by chalky-looking leaves.
Then, remove any long or stringy growth. Again, this type of pruning caters only to aesthetic appeal. Feel free to trim trailing foliage into neater and compact shapes, but avoid removing more than two-thirds of the plant’s total growth as a general rule of thumb.
Lastly, trim the main stem above the leaf and bud growth to encourage additional side shoots and greater foliage density.
Common Diseases For Hoya Obovata
Hoyas are susceptible to various common sap-sucking houseplant pests, including:
· Mealybugs
· Scale
· Aphids
· Spider mites
They are also susceptible to a common disease known as sooty mold, which grows on its leaves.
The best way to avoid common pests and diseases is to clean the plants’ leaves regularly and ensure that the leaking sap is not left for extended periods.
Tip: Spray the plant with warm soapy water now and again to keep the plant dust-free and prevent these pests from raiding your plant.
Does Hoya Obovata Need Repotting?
Hoya Obovata plants do well in various pots, as long as the pot has a drainage hole to prevent waterlogged soil. Terracotta pots are a popular choice.
Hoya Obovata does not require repotting regularly and actually prefer being slightly rootbound. In fact, rootbound Hoyas are more likely to bloom.
Repotting your Hoya Obovata every two to three years should be sufficient.
On the same note, be mindful of when you switch your Hoya Obovata to a new pot. You’ll want to avoid repotting during the winter months as this is when your plant’s growth slows down.
How To Propagate Hoya Obovata?
Propagation of Hoya Obovata plants is relatively easy in soil and water.
Start by filling your container with a well-draining potting mix. Next, water the medium, and set it aside to drain until it’s uniformly moist.
Simply take healthy cuttings from a Hoya Obovata plant, about 4 to 5 inches long. Then, remove the extra lower leaves from the stem, and place the exposed nodes into the potting mix.
Ensure that the Hoya Oboplant’s soil is kept uniformly moist while propagating your new Hoya.
Tip: An ideal stem cutting should have 2 to 3 leaves on it.
You can also place the new cutting in water and the roots will develop there.
Conclusion Of Hoya Obovata Houseplant Care
To summarise, to ensure a thriving Hoya Obovata plant, you will need to provide the following environment:
- Bright sunlight – A sunny south-facing window is perfect!
- Well-draining soil, potting soil
- Occasional watering (wait for the first two inches of soil to dry out).
- An environment with high humidity of 60%
- Diluted fertilizer in growing seasons (once or twice a month).
- Keep an eye out for pests
Follow these basic steps to caring for your Hoya Obovata, and you’ll have a thriving, low-maintenance green addition to your house.
Enjoy!
