Hoya Light Requirements – How to Care for a Hoya Plant

For many years hoya’s have been a popular indoor plant. This typical houseplant, however, requires considerable care to maintain its beauty. One of the most common mistakes people make when growing Hoya plants is lighting. Even though it can seem obvious, the growth of your plant must adhere to the appropriate Hoya light needs. If you don’t do this, your Hoya will not bloom. The hoya plants require proper care and attention for a beautiful bloom.

But the question is, how much light does this wax plant need?

That is why in this article, I will discuss everything you need to know about the light requirements of hoya plants! Keep reading till the end to know why this wax plant hoya needs light.

How To Care For Hoya Plants?

Hoya plants have few requirements while growing. Taking this care into consideration will be very helpful in growing your plants. We have mentioned below some pointers that you can perform while planting your hoya plant!

1. Light Requirements for the hoya plants

Light is essential for all plants while growing. Light is the reason which allows the plants to make their food through the process of photosynthesis. Without sunlight, plants will face many problems leading to them getting damaged or even dying. Also, every plant has different light requirements; some might require direct sunlight, but some might need bright indirect sunlight. The light arrangement differs according to their need and the surroundings they are in.

Sunlight is necessary for a hoya plant, however, indirect sunlight is ideal. If the plant is hung in your window, the direct heat of the sun will cause the leaves to burn. A north-facing window is the best light source for a Hoya plant, although fluorescent lamps will also work if you don’t have access to one. Even if they enjoy the early sun, a plant may not bloom if there is not enough of it. Hence, provide the hoya plants with the appropriate amount of light to their requirements.

2. Type of bulb for the hoya plants

As long as it is positioned beneath the right kind of bulb, any Hoya plant will flourish in artificial illumination. Standard T12 tube lights will not be sufficient to illuminate a Hoya. Most gardeners recommend switching to high-output lighting, especially T5 HO bulbs. The fluorescent lights can be mounted to the wall or even hung to offer side illumination for your plant. Even though most bulbs can be expensive, they are eventually valuable.

3. Placing in the dark for the hoya plants

The biggest mistake you could make is to put it in a cold, dark room. Hoyas are used to humid weather, so putting them in a cold environment is akin to passing them the death warrant. Hence, avoid keeping them in shaded or dark areas for healthy growth.

4. Exposure To Sunlight for the hoya plants

Similarly, overexposing your Hoya to sunshine might result in the waxy leaves drying out and turning yellow. Because of this, it is advised to use indirect sunlight as opposed to direct light. You won’t have to be concerned about accidentally crisping up your plant that way.

5. Temperature for the hoya plants

These gorgeous blossoms shouldn’t be stored in extremely cold temperatures because they are tropical plants. Throughout the entire year, try to keep the room’s temperature above 15 degrees Celsius. Additionally, it’s best to keep plants away from chilly windows and vents for heating and cooling.

6. Water for the hoya plants

These plants search out water in the spring and summer because they need a lot of it to stay hydrated. You shouldn’t need to water the plant again for about two weeks if you adequately hydrate it and make sure the pot it’s in has good drainage. The Hoyas need to be watered again if the soil’s surface appears to be dry. 

If the soil is still damp, you can hold off on giving the plant extra water for a short while. Give them just enough water in the fall and winter to keep the soil from drying up altogether. If given too much water, flowers may wither. Also, they are in a semi-dormant phase so they can be watered once a month.

7. Fertilizers for the hoya plants

All plants require fertilizer. They give the plant essential nutrients that are deficient in ordinary soil, such as potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. These nutrients are crucial for the plant’s growth and development. Indoor plants do not have the access to natural fertilizers that outdoor plants have hence, fertilization is necessary. 

Like most of the plants we keep in our homes, the Hoya appreciates fertilizer feedings. Feed your Hoyas with liquid fertilizer about once a month during the growing season. Once the weather turns chilly, make careful to cut back on the fertilizer. In reality, these plants shouldn’t be fed in the winter because they enter a semi-dormant state then and won’t need fertilizers.

8. Soil Requirements for the hoya plants

Hoya plants require rich, aerated, well-draining soil to grow. If hoyas are cultivated in pots, transferring them into larger planters could be counterproductive because they prefer to be in compact areas. Potting soil with adequate airflow is essential for Hoya. To create the ideal mixture, use an exact ratio of Espoma’s organic Cactus Mix, Orchid Mix, and Perlite. Hoya plants should also be potted up every two to three years.

9. Pruning for the hoya plants

These tall, delectable plants only need to be pruned if they begin to go out of control. A hoya plant just has to be pruned to get rid of dead wood and control its size. If necessary, shorten the plant before propagating the cutting to give to a friend. 

Before the beginning of vigorous growth, prune in the spring. Spurs are stemmed without leaves, and you shouldn’t remove them. The same spurs bear flowers every year. Hoyas are climbing plants that will happily hang from a shelf or window sill. However, to give the appearance of a stronger plant, they are frequently trained into circular or vertical trellises.

10. Common Light Mistakes for the hoya plants

Some have misconceptions about the hoya plant’s lighting requirement. As much filtered light as possible is necessary for hoyas. While certain species may be able to survive in low-light conditions, the great majority of Hoya species need strong light to thrive. Hoyas are tropical plants that are mainly found in Eastern Asia and Australia. Hoyas are hence used to experiencing extreme heat and sporadically shining sunlight.

FAQ’s

Q1. Do Hoya Plants Like Direct Sunlight?

Ans. The majority of hoya plants prefer moderately bright indirect light. Some thrive in roughly two hours of morning or evening direct sunshine, but too much sun exposure can scorch or yellow their leaves. They can survive in low light, although in those circumstances, they might put more effort into growing more leaves than blooms. That isn’t necessarily a problem because the dense leaves are themselves lovely gifts. However, adequate lighting will give them the energy they need to grow.

Q2. Do Hoyas grow in low light?

Ans. Hoyas are also not picky about light. Though they will function fine in low light, they will perform better in a bright environment. Hoyas don’t require frequent fertilization, but a light application of liquid houseplant fertilizer now and then in the spring and summer will be helpful.

Q3. How Do I Get My Hoya Plant to Bloom?

Ans. When a hoya plant reaches maturity, it starts to blossom. There are a few strategies to help it blossom at that point. 

  • Make sure it is getting the appropriate amount of light and water, as described above. To find the ideal circumstances it requires, try experimenting with more light if necessary. Keep the plant stationary once the flower buds have formed because moving it could cause the blossoms to fall off. 
  • Additionally, it’s crucial to retain the roots in the pot and avoid moving the plant too soon to a larger pot. 
  • To encourage it to blossom the next spring, give it a 4-5 week period of dryness in the winter. 
  • Finally, avoid deadheading the flower stalks when it does blossom. 

Q4. What conditions do hoya plants like?

Ans. Hoyas are tropical plants that do well in moist environments. Increase the humidity by using a humidifier, especially during the winter when indoor air tends to be dry. As the water evaporates in a saucer filled with pebbles and water, humidity is also produced. Avoid spraying the flowers; rather, mist them with water that is at room temperature.

Q5. Do Hoyas like to be misted?

Ans. Misting is acceptable to increase high humidity and to clean the leaves. When your Hoya is blooming or blossoming, avoid misting it. Hoyas respond well to feeding in the spring, which leads to strong growth. During the spring and summer growing seasons, fertilize with a balanced liquid food once a month.

Conclusion 

In summary, the Hoyas don’t need much maintenance. This makes them a fantastic option for indoor plants. Considering contributing factors like maintaining a humid environment and making sure there is adequate ventilation will go a long way toward meeting Hoya’s needs for ideal lighting. 

I hope the above information provided in the article was helpful to you and cleared all your doubts regarding the lighting requirement of hoya plants. I hope you like this article, as I have given all the information you need to know from my personal experience with 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 plant lover friends and family because they might find it useful too!

Related Articles

Author

  • Manish Lakhera

    Share a little biographical information to fill out your profile. This may be shown publicly.Share a little biographical information to fill out your profile. This may be shown publicly.Share a little biographical information to fill out your profile. This may be shown publicly.Share a little biographical information to fill out your profile. This may be shown publicly.Share a little biographical information to fill out your profile. This may be shown publicly.Share a little biographical information to fill out your profile. This may be shown publicly.

Leave a Comment