Sometimes it’s heartache for me to know that my beloved hoya plants can be toxic to my dear cat, Angelina (Angelina, my dear cat picture is given above). But I just love the way the hoya plants hang on the walls so lustfully, surviving in my grandmother’s kitchen for years but are technically toxic to pets. If you have a very curious and naughty furball like my Angelina, you should keep them safe from hoya plants by taking some precautions and steps.
Some cats are directly sent down from heaven, they do not touch at all. But my Angelina takes these hoya plants as a lunchbox and munch away without a care. Hoyas should ideally be kept up high and out of the cat’s reach. Numerous varieties of trails and dangling stems and leaves can make for highly appealing playthings, especially for kittens.
In this article, I will explain what varieties of hoya plants can be toxic to your cats, how can you maintain a hoya plant, what safety measures should you take to keep your cats safe, and the advantages of owning a hoya plant that you should know about. So, let’s not keep you waiting any further, and let’s start right away!
Is the Hoya plant safe for my cats?
Hoyas also goes by the name “Wax Plant” because of their thick, waxy leaves. Some members of this type of plant are poisonous to cats. Always make sure the kind of Hoya you are considering is non-toxic. Don’t worry, we will explore a few varieties of hoya plants in detail and how to take care of them!
1. Hoya “Compacta”
Hoya “Compacta,” sometimes referred to as Hindu Rope and Krinkle Kurl, is a very spectacular and uncommon form of Hoya Carnosa. This category of Hoya is considered suitable for cats. It appears especially attractive when braided around round support, in a hanging pot, or on a high shelf from where it can flow down. This is due to its unusually elegant, corrugated, and curled leaves, which make dense, lengthy garlands. It occasionally blooms pink, and the blossoms have a lovely scent.
How to care
Only when the earth’s surface is dry, should you add water. Hoya prefers a lot of humidity in the air, which you may give it by putting a humidifier close by or by setting the pot on pebbles in a water stand.
A room with east or west-facing window is preferable because too much sunshine will scorch the leaves. After it has flowered, do not cut the flower stem as it might blossom again. When it blooms, do not move it to prevent losing the flowers.
2. Hoya “Krimson Queen”
Beautiful Hoya “Krimson Queen” plants have tall stems covered with creamy green leaves. It gets its popular name, Porcelain Flower, from the star-shaped pink blossoms it produces when blossoming that has a delicious aroma and appears to be made of porcelain.
Hoya Carnosa is recognized as being safe for cats, contrary to some reports that claim it may be poisonous. The Krimson Queen looks best draped over spherical support, suspended in a pot, or perched on a lofty shelf.
How to care:
Hoya prefers a lot of humidity in the air, which you may give it by putting a humidifier close by or by setting the pot on pebbles in a water stand. A room with east or west-facing window is preferable because too much sunshine will scorch the leaves.
After it has flowered, do not cut the flower stem as it might blossom again. When it blooms, do not move it to prevent losing the flowers. Only when the earth’s surface is dry should you add water.
3. Hoya Pubicalyx
Hoya pubicalyx gets its common name, Silver Pink Vine, from its fleshy green leaves with silver specks and its very pink, nearly purple blooms. Despite some claims to the contrary, Hoya pubicalyx is thought to be safe for cats.
Hoya looks great wrapped around spherical support, hung from a pot, or placed on a high shelf where they can drain.
How to care:
A room with east or west-facing window is preferable because too much sunshine will scorch the leaves. Only when the earth’s surface is dry should you add water. Hoya prefers a lot of humidity in the air, which you may give it by putting a humidifier close by or by setting the pot on pebbles in a water stand.
After it has flowered, do not cut the flower stem as it might blossom again. When it blooms, do not move it to prevent losing the flowers.
How Should I Maintain a Hoya Plant?
Hoyas require a moderate amount of water and are a low-maintenance plant, though they can be sensitive to overwatering. They favor sandy, well-draining soil and direct light that is bright. Scale insects, mealybugs, and red spider mites are examples of pests. In the spring and summer, fertilize every one to two weeks.
What safety measures should be implemented around Hoya plants?
Hoyas may not be hazardous to cats, but fertilizers and pesticides applied to or surrounding the plant may be. Hoya might potentially cause gastrointestinal obstruction if consumed in large quantities, however as most cats seem to prefer plants with strappy leaves, hoya should be avoided. If your cat is interested in the plant and you have one, think about moving it to a spot the cat can’t get to and bringing in some cat-friendly plants like catnip or cat grass.
What advantages will owning a Hoya plant provide me?
The ease of maintenance and non-toxicity of the hoya plant is its most well-known advantages. Additionally aromatic, its blooms are frequently added to powders, perfumes, and lotions. The quality of indoor air may also be improved by houseplants like the decorative Hoya.
Using green plants to contain, get rid of, or lessen hazardous environmental toxins is referred to as phytoremediation.
According to University of Georgia research, some plants can successfully remove airborne toxins including volatile organic compounds, and lower indoor pollution levels. As one of the top “super ornamentals,” the Hoya had a high rate of pollutant elimination.
FAQ’s
Q1. Hoya, is it succulent?
Ans. Despite having thick, meaty leaves that resemble succulents, Hoya is a climbing vine and not a succulent. It is frequently misidentified as a succulent because of its thick, waxy appearance. These plants do appreciate bright sunshine, but not as much as succulents like long dry spells. Whenever the soil is dry, they need to be regularly watered.
Q2. Can Hoyas be grown inside?
Ans. Hoya is a typical indoor plant, yes. It is incredibly simple to cultivate them indoors. They prefer to dry between waterings and bright, indirect light. They react strongly to extreme colds and draughts. They can also get sunburned if exposed to strong light.
Q3. Is the Hoya Plant edible?
Ans. The Hoya kerrii is a twining vine with leathery, green leaves that resembles an inverted heart. There are three different kinds of flowers: tiny, flat, and fashioned like stars. Small, reddish-brown balls of flowers create nectar. This nectar has a strong sweetness to it.
Q4. What advantages do Hoya plants have?
Ans. Hoya plants are stunning and available in a variety of kinds with lovely blossoms. They are inexpensive, simple to maintain, and have robust growth.
Conclusion
The Hoya has no toxic components for either people or animals. It makes sense that someone would want to ensure their Hoyas are non-toxic given that plants frequently contaminate young children and animals.
You don’t have to worry about your dog, cat, or child getting sick if you grow a Hoya in a pot or basket inside your house. But it’s important to remember that even non-toxic plants can make you throw up. Additionally, cats may tear off bits of the plant and choke or gag on them. Be cautious around cats, not just with Hoya but with other plants as well because, let’s face it, cats are mischievous and fun.
I hope you like this article, as I have given all the information you need to know from my personal experience with cat Angelina and my lovely hoya plants. If you have any further questions in mind, feel free to comment down below, and please share this article with all of your cat lover friends and plant enthusiasts because they might find it useful too!
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