Am I the only one who is obsessed with Hoya Pachyclada?
I still remember when I first brought these plants home, it was love at first sight. Since then this plant has been thriving well in my home for ten years and has been a very rewarding plant.
Hoya Pachyclada is easy to grow and requires little maintenance. It is a pretty shrub with slender, densely covered stems and meaty, thick leaves with red edges. They get gorgeous, glossy, white flowers and have a faint citrus scent, not a strong one.
The reason I grow this plant is for its highly prized waxy flowers. The flowers bloom in clusters throughout the year. Even my plant lover friends who took this plant from me (after I propagate them at home) are also obsessed with its beautiful flowers and stunning gray-tinted green foliage. Sometimes I wonder whether I love the flowers more or the foliage more. Whatever may be the reason, I just love and am obsessed with this hoya plant for sure.
So today in this article, I will tell you all my secrets about how to grow and care, for and propagate Hoya Pachyclada at home. I will also tell you the problem that can occur at this plant and how you can fix those problems.
Without much further delay, let’s begin!
How To Care For Hoya Pachyclada?
Hoya Pachyclada is native to tropical Thailand, and with the correct growing circumstances, it might be grown everywhere. To correctly care for Hoya Pachyclada, all that is required is an understanding of the requirements of slow-growing, evergreen, succulent kinds, which is what this plant truly is.
These plants don’t need a lot of water because they are perennials. Their thick, ovoid leaves store the majority of the moisture. All their requirements are minimum. However, to know more in detail, I have listed some factors below that you should consider while planting Hoya Pachyclada.
1. Light Requirements for Hoya Pachyclada plant!
All plants must have light to grow. Plants use sunlight to speed up photosynthesis, the process through which they produce their food. The plant should receive the right quantity of light each day based on its preferences and needs. Lack of sunshine could cause the plant to dry up, lose its color, and eventually die. Light is consequently necessary for healthy plant growth and proper nourishment.
This Hoya Plant variety is one of the ones that likes to do things on its terms. These plants, in contrast to other Hoya species, enjoy some sun. Most Hoyas like locations with direct, strong light. However, the Pachyclada can withstand brief exposure to the sun’s rays. Perhaps their delicious similarities are what shines through here.
Hoya Pachyclada can be placed in an area that is well-lit and gets 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight every day. Time may be a little bit longer in the winter as the sunlight at that time is not much compared to summer. They need an adequate amount of sunlight to develop healthily.
Tips To maintain the lighting:
- The plant can be hung next to a windowsill, which may also provide the necessary amount of light for it.
- If you reside somewhere cold, place your plant in the light for a few hours. If you live in a hotter environment, though, filtered light is adequate.
- You can even use LED lights or artificial grow lights in low-light conditions, especially during winter.
2. Temperature requirements for Hoya Pachyclada plant!
The plant blooms better when the temperature is just right. For a hoya plant to grow and thrive, the temperature must be stable and controlled. It’s critical to remember that each plant should have a constant temperature surrounding it to keep stress levels low. Usually, warm soil temperatures are preferred for hoya home plants.
The Pachyclada prefer environments that are moderate to strongly humid due to their original equatorial conditions. Temperatures that are recommended for Hoya Pachyclada are between 15 to 29 degrees Celsius. However, these plants do not tolerate cold temperatures or frost well below 10 degrees Celsius.
This is why it is suggested growing Hoya Pachyclada year-round inside in cozy room circumstances, especially if you reside in a chilly climate because the plant goes dormant over the winter, but it can still survive indoors.
3. Humidity requirements for Hoya Pachyclada plant!
A significant factor in the growth of Hoya Pachyclada plants is humidity. Around the plant, the humidity should be constant, much as the temperature. Since these plants are indigenous to humid environments, they prefer the range between mild and high. That would be a humidity range of at least 60%, which can be read by your hygrometer.
However, you should start to worry about the health of your plant if the humidity goes below 30%. The low humidity conditions that the winter months and the dry summer days invite may delay and possibly stop the plant’s growth entirely.
4. Watering requirements for Hoya Pachyclada plant!
Plants require access to water. Without water, a plant will eventually droop and wilt away since it is required for the provision of all the minerals it needs to survive. The plant won’t be able to survive and grow as it should if there isn’t enough water. You must make sure your plant receives the right amount of water each day since, in some rare instances, either overwatering or underwatering can harm plants.
Hoya Pachyclada prefers a little moisture in the soil, especially during the growing seasons. Therefore, if the soil is suitable for indoor plants and has the correct water retention capabilities, maintaining a healthy plant will be simpler. The Hoya Pachyclada may have to deal with dry circumstances for a while. However, you should continue to check on your plant’s soil moisture levels at least once a week throughout the hotter months. In the colder months, you can extend this to once every 10 to 14 days.
To determine the moisture content of the soil, we suggest using the moisture finger test. To determine how much water is in your soil and whether it needs to be filled up, use this quick and easy method. Also, ensure that you have a good drainage system to avoid any problems like overwatering and root rots which can damage the plant.
Tips to water your Hoya Pachyclada:
- Tap water should be avoided by the Hoya pachyclada. So if you can, use rainwater that has been collected to water the plant.
- Watering the soil close to the plant’s base until water drops from the drainage hole is one of the greatest methods.
- Before watering the plant once more, allow the soil and roots to dry at least 50%.
- For effective moisture retention and to prevent overwatering, cover the soil with stones or coarse sand.
5. Maintenance requirements for the Hoya Pachyclada plant!
The only other plant care requirements for the Hoya Pachyclada will be repotting, aside from watering and shifting the plant’s location according to the sun’s placement. However, repotting your plant won’t be as necessary as with other indoor plants because it grows slowly.
Every 2 to 3 years, you should examine your plants’ roots to see how they are doing. While doing this, it’s a good idea to rehydrate the soil around your plants to avoid compaction and cut all unwanted roots to avoid root rots.
6. Growth requirements for Hoya Pachyclada plant!
By utilizing the right soil for your indoor plants, you may significantly reduce the number of difficulties and problems you have while gardening. Hoya plants like light, airy potting soil that can hold just the correct amount of moisture for the plant to survive while also allowing any excess water to drain away to prevent diseases.
The plant naturally grows slowly and compactly. It takes approximately two years for it to reach about 12 inches high, and it seldom reaches heights of more than 24 inches.
Furthermore, the best potting soil for your Hoya Pachyclada plants is peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite, or excellent coco coir. Fertilizing regularly is also necessary to maintain the Hoya Pachyclada plants’ health.
7. Fertilizer requirements for Hoya Pachyclada plant!
Fertilizers are mostly needed by almost all indoor plants. They give the plant essential nutrients that regular soil lacks, like potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. These nutrients are crucial for the plant’s growth and development. Since indoor plants need fertilizer instead of collecting their nutrients from the soil as outdoor plants do, it should be applied.
Hoya Pachyclada requires minimal feeding. They get all the nutrients they need from the soil and the forest litter in their native habitat. Organic manure is the greatest fertilizer to use on this plant. Due to their gradual release, these fertilizers show to be effective.
The greatest results are obtained by treating Hoya Pachyclada with slow-release fertilizers every two weeks during the growing season and not at all during the winter.
These plants can resist any stress brought on by fertilizers in the spring and summer, which is the best and only period to fertilize them. Use a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus but ordinary in nitrogen to help your plant flower and concentrate on the growth of leaves.
8. Soil requirements for Hoya Pachyclada plant!
Consider the soil conditions while choosing the potting mix for hoya plants for the best growth. For you to choose the right soil composition, you must have a deep grasp of your plant. To help your hoya plant grow more quickly and fully, you must first determine what it needs from the soil.
Hoya Pachyclada are epiphytic herbaceous climbers containing basally woody roots that protrude from the internodes and twining stems. They commonly grow on surfaces other than dirt in their natural habitat and are frequently seen. Hoya Pachyclada needs soil that is well-draining, airy, chunky, and moisture-retentive.
Their food sources include the atmosphere, precipitation, debris from the forest accumulated around the roots, and rotting host tree bark. You should have the soil pH level from 6.1 to 7.5.
9. Pruning requirements for Hoya Pachyclada plant!
For plants, pruning is vital. It is a technique that enables you to offer your plant any desired size and shape. Trimming leaves and branches to control a plant’s development and give it shape is known as pruning. Pruning is typically done while a plant is actively growing because that is when it is most receptive to change and responds to it most quickly.
Hoya pachyclada are slow-growing, vining epiphytes that can use support from stakes. Due to their inherent qualities, they don’t require routine trimming. However, pachyclada can periodically be pruned in the spring and summer to maintain its attractive appearance.
Pruning, however, needs to be done with caution. You must at all costs avoid cutting the strong vines and leaves as it can hamper the plant’s growth. Get rid of the leggy, weak, and dead plants. The dead flower heads can be clipped, but the peduncles shouldn’t be cut because they might act as the support for the next bloom.
10. Repotting requirements for Hoya Pachyclada plant!
Repotting is essential for plants to foster their growth. Mostly, repotting is usually done for two main reasons. One is to change the soil as the soil is exhausted from all the nutrients being used up by the plant. And the other reason is to shift it to a larger pot as the roots have overgrown and need breathing space.
Due to Pachyclada plants’ slow growth and epiphytic nature, it does not require frequent repotting. Also, you must take into account the size of the pot you are planting in. Because their roots are small, you must provide them with a suitable container. It’s time to repot the plant if you see the roots sticking out of the drainage hole.
You should repot your Hoya pachyclada every 2 to 3 years. Moreover, terracotta pots are ideal for plant growth since they are porous and encourage optimal airflow. They also offer exceptional moisture retention and drainage.
Tips for repotting Hoya Pachyclada:
- Remove the plant from its prior container. To avoid breaking, do this cautiously. Gently loosen the root balls.
- Fill the potting soil to 70% of the way up a terracotta pot that is one size larger than the previous one.
- Place the plant somewhere with enough light and warmth, and give it the right amount of water.
- Before starting the repotting process, make sure you have gardening gloves and pruning shears and have thoroughly sterilized them.
11. Flowering requirements for Hoya Pachyclada plant!
The Hoya Pachyclada is well known for having beautiful flowers. Hoya Pachyclada produces tiny clusters of creamy, green to white blossoms with a red corona in the center. The corona, which sits in the middle of the collection of star-shaped blossoms, is where the phrase “red corona” originates.
One cluster can have up to 30 flowers, each of which may have a distinct hue, depending on the corona variety you have. Pachyclada hibernates in the harsh winter months and blooms from spring through October. These flowers that hoya Pachyclada bloom can also be used as home decor. It will give your home a bright and vibrant look.
12. Propagation requirements for Hoya Pachyclada plant!
Plant propagation is the process of creating new plants from seeds, cuttings, and other plant parts. It is the practice of dispersing seeds, whether they are artificially or naturally produced. Propagation frequently occurs during a specific stage of the plant’s life cycle. It is done to encourage the growth of the plant. Also, propagation requires a lot of patience. Hence, while performing the task you need to be very careful and attentive.
Now, propagating a Hoya Pachyclada can be done in two ways, which are either by using the cutting method or the layering method. Below mentioned are the steps you could take while using either of these methods.
How To Propagate Hoya Pachyclada Through Layering:
This method is usually done through aerial rootlets. However, many planters avoid this method but it’s up to you and your plant’s requirements.
- Pick a stem with aerial roots that is hanging loosely and cut it in a circle around the plant’s stem.
- Then, cover the aerial roots with the earth as you lower the stem into the soil in the same pot or another container. To secure the stem in the ground, use hairpins. But it would be advisable to proceed with extreme caution to avoid snapping the stem.
- Moreover, a small amount of rooting hormone should be applied to the stem and nodes.
- Keep attending to the needs of your plants. After a while, you’ll notice roots emerging from the nodes.
- Lastly, cut the root’s attachment to the mother plant after it is a few centimeters long, and allow it to grow independently.
How To Propagate Hoya Pachyclada Through Cutting:
This method is the most used while propagating Hoya Pachyclada because it is easy to use.
- Before beginning the propagation procedure, get your tools ready and clean them with rubbing alcohol, and put on gardening gloves, a mask, and goggles for safety.
- Then, cut the stem no more than 6 inches, but no less than 3 inches, to ensure a healthy stem. It must have three leaves and a minimum of two nodes.
- Just below the leaf node, trim the stem. To reveal the nodes, remove the bottom leaves.
- A callous must develop on the stem. So, wait a day or two before chopping. After that, place the cutting inside a clear jar of water that has been prepared.
- Also, leave the leaves outdoors and submerge the nodes in the water. Or else, you risk causing the cutting to deteriorate.
- Set up the plant where it is needed and change the water every week. You will notice that in 2 to 5 weeks the roots start growing. Remember to let the root be an inch above the potting soil for better development.
Common Problems Faced By Hoya Pachyclada
Although Hoya Pachyclada is an easy plant to grow, that does not mean that it is not prone to any diseases or problems. Just like other plants, Pachyclada plants face some issues while growing. So, to keep your plant in check, it is necessary to provide it with all the necessary nutrients and pay attention to the plant and its needs. I have listed below some problems commonly faced by Hoya Pachyclada plants. Let’s check them out!
1. Root rot
Root rot is most likely to blame for this. Hoya Pachyclada maintenance involves both soil and hydration. The plant enjoys how dry it is. Therefore, enough drainage in the soil is necessary to prevent root rot. Provide the plant with an appropriate amount of water and avoid overwatering. Whereas the second theory states that the lack of water resulted in the roots dying altogether, which is controversial to the first point.
2. Not Flowering
Hoya Pachyclada like other plants also faces problems with flowering and the two main reasons are lack of sunlight and nutrients. If the problem is with the soil, orchid meal or any other organic fertilizer may help if the potting mix has been adjusted.
Furthermore, the Hoya Pachyclada would benefit greatly from lots of indirect lighting. Although hoyas are normally extremely pest-resistant, it is recommended to regularly use horticultural oil or neem sprays as part of the Hoya Pachyclada care routine as a preventive strategy.
3. Color Leaving The Leaves
This usually happens in the Hoya Pachyclada plant when it does not receive the required amount of nutrients. Nutrients play a major role in a plant’s development and growth. Nutrients provide the plant with all amenities that the regular soil the plant is planted in is lacking. They usually help the plant in increasing its growth rate. Also, providing the plants with nutrients between spring and summer is advantageous as that is their growing stage.
Give the plant a light, well-balanced fertilizer for a few weeks to increase the NPK levels. Rainwater sprinkling regularly is also advantageous. A mature plant can be replanted using a lot of superior, slow-releasing organic manure. This will improve the color of the leaves and bring the plants back.
4. Pests
Infestations of pests rarely harm Hoyas. Nevertheless, this plant may be harmed by pests as a result of unfavorable or incorrect environmental factors.
Since they draw insects that rob the plant’s leaves and stem of their juices, the plant’s succulent, thick leaves may also play a role. Mealybugs and aphids are the pests that commonly attack this plant most frequently.
Mealybugs are white cotton powdery pests that are usually found under the leaves and on stems. They make the plant lose its color and lessen the nutrient content of the plant.
Whereas aphids are honeydew on the flowers. They usually affect the blooming of flowers and turn the leaves yellow. Also, the stem of the plant becomes swollen.
Solution: To avoid the above pest issues, you can use the solutions provided below.
- To get rid of tenacious bugs, spray the plant with a high-pressure water hose.
- The plant can also be sprayed with soapy water to get rid of the bugs. Alternatively, you might personally remove a few obvious bugs from the plant.
- Apply some isopropyl alcohol with a cotton ball to the locations where you can see a mealybug infestation.
- There are many natural ways to get rid of pests. Spraying horticultural oil or neem oil on the leaves is one option.
Measures To Prevent These Pests
You can use the below=given protective measures for the plants to avoid any pests from attacking the Hoya Pachyclada.
- Check your plant frequently for pests and early signs of disease.
- Avoid overwatering your plants. Numerous problems result from overwatering.
- Trying not to irrigate the Hoya Pachyclada from above.
- Sort the healthy plants from the unhealthy ones in your garden.
5. Diseases
Hoya pachyclada has a high level of resistance to sickness. Rarely can these plants contract diseases. The two most serious and common diseases that damage this plant is root rot and botrytis blight. You can check the leaf margins and edges to see if botrytis blight is present. Eventually, the leaves can start to fall. This sickness is brought on by the fungus Botrytis cinerea. Withering, discoloration, and possibly the failure of the buds to open are some consequences it has on flowers.
The main reason why so many indoor plants die is root rot. It is mostly preferred when the soil around the plant’s roots is incredibly moist. You should periodically inspect the plant’s roots for any indications of root rot. If you catch the infection early on, you might be able to save your plant. However, there would still be a problem. The plant’s roots are buried beneath the soil, making it impossible to regularly inspect them.
Solutions: To avoid these diseases, you can use the solutions mentioned below for the Hoya Pachyclada.
- Trim the plant’s discolored and mushy roots after removing them from the pot. However, exercise caution when doing this. Healthy roots should not be harmed.
- Treat root rot by using the appropriate fungicides.
- Put your Hoya in the new pot and care for it properly.
- Prepare fresh planting soil in fresh containers. Make certain that the new pot has excellent drainage.
- Drain any extra water that may be in the saucer at the bottom of the pot.
- To get rid of Botrytis Blight, destroy the affected areas or trim them.
- To combat Botrytis blight, squirt insecticides containing Copper Captain, Chlorothalonil, mancozeb, maneb, sulfur, and Thiophanate methyl.
Measures To Prevent These Diseases:
You can use the below-given protective measures for the plants to avoid these diseases from attacking the Hoya Pachyclada.
- Avoid over-watering the plant, as root rot is primarily brought on by it. Over watering also causes the plant to deteriorate its growth.
- Apply the proper fungicides to your plant on occasion.
- Keep an eye out for diseases in your plants. Keep healthy plants separate from diseased ones.
- As water cannot evaporate at night, avoid spraying the plant.
FAQ’s
Q1. Are Hoya Pachyclada toxic?
Ans. No, they are not toxic. They do, however, contain a poison known as pachynolide, which can make some people and animals allergic. We advise keeping them out of the reach of children and pets even though they are not on the list of plants to avoid due to their toxicity. The Hoya Pachyclada should not be consumed for any reason, even though it might not be fatal.
Q2. How to repot Hoya Pachyclada?
Ans. Repotting Hoya Pachyclada is easy and increases the growth rate of the plant. Below mentioned are the steps you can follow while planting the Pachyclada.
Step 1: If your plant is in a plastic pot or container, you can push the sides of the pot gently to release the root ball. In the case of ceramic or solid pots, you can skip this step.
Step 2: Make sure the main stem of the plant is firmly nestled into the web between your index and middle fingers and spread your palm across the top of the container.
Step 3: While holding the pot with the other hand and turning it completely upside down, keep your hand across the top of the pot. Although you might spill some loose soil here, the roots should still be holding most of it in place.
Step 4: Slowly remove the pot or container from the root ball.
Step 5: Then finally, transplant the Hoya Pachyclada into the soil of a larger container that you prepared earlier.
Q3. Should Hoya Pachyclada plants be misted?
Ans. In Hoya Pachyclada care, misting with rainwater is an efficient method of foliar feeding. Only mist in the morning gives leaves time to dry off and prevent them from becoming infected.
Q4. Are Hoya Pachyclada plants succulent?
Ans. The Hoya Pachyclada is not a succulent in the strictest sense. Numerous traits, such as its thick, meaty leaves and hardened stems, do indicate that the Pachyclada is a succulent. But to call it a succulent would be wrong; it is a member of the Hoya genus.
Q5. How old does Hoya Pachyclada have to be before they bloom?
Ans. Within two years of establishing roots, plants grown from cuttings are prepared to blossom. However, the correct circumstances and not necessarily the age of the plant are mostly responsible for flowering.
Q6. Does Hoya Pachyclada grow and bloom under artificial light?
Ans. Yes, it has been noted that they bloom when fluorescent lighting is left on for around 12 hours each day. This is your workaround if you experience low light concerns.
Conclusion
Hoya Pachyclada is the perfect little plant to include in any home collection. They are small, slow-growing plants that produce a magnificent display of blossoms throughout their flowering seasons. Like other hoya plants, the Hoya Pachyclada is low-maintenance and ideal for novice indoor plant enthusiasts. Nothing changes for the better. Also, by now, you might have a gist of all about Hoya Pachyclada.
I hope the above-provided information was helpful to you and cleared all your doubts regarding the same. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment down below, and don’t forget to share this article on social media and with your friends, and family!
Happy gardening to you!
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