Is your Hoya plant suffering from a problem?
Don’t worry! You are on the right way to solving the problem. This article will help you to make your plant get back on its track and in preventing such troubling problems in the future.
Hoya plants are one of the best indoor plants that enhance the interior of the home. The low maintenance of the plant makes the plant enthusiasts grow them. But, it is not an easy task to grow these beautiful plants, if you are a beginner. You need to know some tips to maintain them. Although it is a hardy plant, some problems might often knock on its door.
These hardy plants rarely suffer from any problems, if you care enough. If there is any problem with your Hoya plant then read this article completely to find the reason and solution for the problem.
What are the most common problems of the hoya plant?
Hoya plants are very easy-caring plants that don’t need much attention. But some problems can occur if you neglect or forget to give attention to these plants completely. Some of the most common problems of the Hoya plant are given below!
1. Root rot in hoya plants
Like any other plant, your Hoya plant also might face Root rot which damages the growth of the plant and may finally lead to its death. Because the roots are responsible for supplying water, nutrients, and oxygen to the other parts of the plant. If they get damaged the process of food preparation in plants stops and thus the plant dies.
Reasons
The most common reason for the root rot is over-watering. However, poor drainage, improper soil mix which is not well-draining, lack of sunlight, and low temperature can also cause root rots in Hoya plants.
But don’t worry, the plant can be recovered if you notice the early signs of root rot and take immediate action to treat it. You can identify the problem by the signs your plant shows, like yellow and mushy leaves, leaf drops, white mold growth on soil mix, droopy stems, emission of foul smell and e.t.c. After identification, the following are the steps to recover your plant.
How to fix it
- If you confirm that your Hoya plant is suffering from root rot, then gently remove the plant out of the pot.
- Shake the plant, so that the soil that is stuck to the roots will fall off. Then identify the damaged part and prune it.
- Take a new pot with fresh soil mix or sterilize the old pot and fill fresh soil mix to plant your Hoya plant.Â
- After planting in the new soil mix, your plant needs some more careful attention than usual, until it gets completely recovered and starts its new growth.
- Do not water it until the soil mix becomes dry completely.
- Do not fertilize the plant until the plant recovers as the fertilization can burn the damaged roots.
2. Discoloration of leaves in hoya plants
Your Hoya plant can change the color of the foliage in different conditions. Every time it changes its color, it has different reasons to do that. Discoloration can be red, yellow, or brown and sometimes you may find brown or black spots on the leaves of this plant. There are two conditions in yellowing of the leaves that are mushy in yellow color and the leaves become dry and turn yellow.
Reasons and how to fix it
You may find many reasons for the discoloration of the leaves of the Hoya plants: let us know them briefly.
a) Yellow and flesh leaves
Due to over watering the plant cells filled with water turn yellow and become mushy; they are often prone to fungal growth. Avoid this case by stopping to water the plant until the plant gets alright. Remember, it is a sign of root rot. It is better to check the roots if the growth falls off, and take certain actions to treat your plant.
b) Dry yellow or brown leaves
This case is observed due to underwatering. Provide enough water to your plant, whenever the soil becomes dry. Otherwise, the plant undergoes dehydration, which results in discoloration of the leaves and this case can kill the plant too. Immediately respond to your plant, if it shows these signs.
c) Brown spots
Sunburns or some brown insects seem like brown spots on the plant. Using soft pesticides can kill the insects but, if it is due to sunburns, you need to water the plants properly and place the plant in indirect sunlight. Exposure to intense Sun Rays causes sunburns. You cannot treat the affected leaves but you can prevent the plant from getting more sunburns.
d) Black spots
If you observe black spots on the foliage of Hoya plants, it shows you that the root of the plant is rotten. Take immediate action to save your plant otherwise you may lose it.
3. Leaf-drop in hoya plants
Generally, the Hoya plants lose their leaves to save their energy. We commonly see it in the winter season. If it is not winter and the plant is dropping its leaves then it is due to a problem.
Reasons
The Hoya plants drop their leaves when the temperature falls, due to lack of nutrients and also if the plant is facing dehydration.
How to fix
Maintain the temperature and humidity levels of your plant. Fertilize it in the growing season to avoid such problems.
4. Droopy Hoya plant (limp plant)
Hoya plants become droopy and grow on a side due to improper watering habits. It may look like a dead one. This issue can be treated if you take certain actions, soon after it is observed.
Reasons
Both overwatering and underwatering the plant can cause this problem. Pests that attack and live on the plant fluids can also be a reason for this. Sometimes overexposure to the theater and an increase in the temperature van is a reason for a limp plant.
How to fix it?
- Regulate waterings concerning the soil moisture levels.
- Make sure that the plant is always in its suitable temperature range.
- Use respected pesticides and avoid pest attacks on the plant.
5. Fall of growth rate in hoya plants
Hoya plants grow well. These hardy plants generally won’t stop their growth until there is a reason behind it. You can observe a fall in the growth rate of the plants if it is not cared for properly.
Reasons
Lack of sunlight, overexposure to sunlight, over-fertilization, Lack of nutrients, underwatering, overwatering, and even pest attacks can cause the fall of the plant’s growth. So, your care keeps the plant healthy. There is also a natural cause for the drop in the plant’s growth, which is climate change. When the winter starts, these plants slow down their growth and when the temperature falls too low it stops their growth until the spring season arrives.
How to fix it
You can treat the slow-growing plant by providing adequate care. Be attentive to its needs. Do not follow a schedule for caring for your plant. In most cases fertilizing helps the slow-growing plants.
6. Extension of the hoya plant’s internodes
The internodes of these beautiful plants sometimes grow distinctly and look awkward.
Reasons
The only reason behind this problem is the lack of sunlight. Inadequate sunlight results in extended internodes.
How to fix
- Provide enough light for your Hoya plant.
- Place them near windows, or outdoors in a shade.
- You can also use plant lights in dark places.
7. Hoya plant not blooming
Hoya plants are well known for their blooming. It is one of the plants that produce more flowers at a time. Many hoya plants bloom beautifully with a sweet fragrance. You need to give some time for the new hoya plants to bloom. You can observe your Hoya plant with flowers for at least 2-3 years. Your plant is not facing any problem if it is a young plant. If it is a mature plant then the following may be the reasons.
Reasons
Your plant may not flower if it is not getting adequate sunlight. Hoya plants need bright indirect sunlight to thrive. So, it may be one of the reasons why your plant is not flowering. Overwatering and overfertilization can also be a reason for this problem, so make sure that the plant is getting the right care at the right time.
How to fix
- Place the plant in a well-lit area.
- Water it adequately when the soil becomes completely dry.Â
- Use small pots to let the soil dry quickly. Make sure that the pot has good drainage.
- Do not over-fertilize it, use mild or diluted fertilizers to feed our plant.Â
- Avoid fertilizing the plant frequently. Once or twice a month during the growing season is enough for Hoya plants.
8. Unsuccessful propagation in hoya plants
Sometimes we fail to propagate the hoya plants, although we have done everything correctly. There are some reasons for this problem, which should be kept in mind while propagating it next time.
Reasons
As propagation is a slow process, the cuttings may rot, because of being in the wet soil for a long time. We can observe this soil medium. When in a water medium, the water which has not been changed for about 3-5 days will cause root rot. If you leave it unwatered, the plant undergoes dehydration and again the propagation becomes unsuccessful.
How to fix it?
- Do not let the soil be too moist or too dry.Â
- Keep an eye on it, until it, until the propagation succeeds.
- Maintain the temperature. Do not expose the stem cutting to direct sunlight.
9. Pests and insects attacking your hoya plant
Pests like mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, and scale may attack the hoya plants that suck up the sap that contain nutrients in the plant cells. This leads to several diseases in the plant. To avoid these insects from damaging the plant’s health, you need to remove them from the plant.
Reasons
You can observe the pest growth in the plants due to temperature fluctuations and improper watering habits. Also, sometimes rainfall causes this pest growth.
How to fix it
They lie on the undersides of the leaves. Carefully observe them and gently pick them to throw outside. If you cannot hold the insects, then take a piece of cotton, dip it in the rubbing alcohol and clean the affected plants. You can spray soap and water or apply neem oil to the plant to get rid of these infestations. A spray of soft pesticides can also help to avoid these pests.
10. Fungal growth on the hoya plant
Fungal Growth in plants is generally observed due to improper watering habits. Hoya plants need adequate water for their better growth. More or less than that will affect the plant’s health.
Reasons and how to fix it
Overwatering is the main cause of the fungal growth in the soil mix which may spread to the plant and damage its growth and may eventually kill it. However, lack of sunlight, improper drainage, high humid conditions, and a drop in temperatures can also cause fungal growth. It can be treated by pruning all the affected areas (including roots, if rotten) and repotting the plant with fresh and well-draining soil mix. Use fungicides if the damage is too low and place the plant in a well-lit spot.
How to prevent the problems in Hoya plants?
If you are obsessed with hoya plants like us and don’t want them going through any of the conditions above, then follow the tips below to maintain your Hoya plant healthy!
- Provide enough sunlight to your plant. Hoya plants need bright indirect sunlight at least for 2 to 4 hours daily. This will make the plants thrive.
- Avoid overexposure to the sun. direct sunlight can cause sunburns. Also, it may lead to dehydration in plants, thus resulting in dried leaves.
- South-faced windows source them bright light.
- If you plan to place them outdoors, then place them in a shade that gets adequate light.
- Hoya plants love being at room temperatures that range from 60-68 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperatures above or below can disturb the plant’s health.
- Water your plant adequately to encourage its growth. The soil must be dry before you water your plant. Water it slowly and let the soil and the root system of the plant absorb the water. Continue to water the plant until the excess water comes out of the drainage holes. Remember both overwatering and underwatering can harm your plant.
- Always use tap water to give a drink to your plant.
- If you grow your plant in a water medium then use only tap water to fill the container and change the water every 2-3 days to avoid root rot.
- Never delay watering the plant if the soil becomes too dry.
- The soil mix you use to plant your Hoya plant must be well-draining. Try using peat-based soil mixed with orchid bark, perlite, and sand for planting.
- Using a pot that is made up of clay is a better choice, as it allows the passage of oxygen (air) to the roots through its porous walls.
- Fertilize the plant with mild liquid fertilizers once a month during the growing season. Avoid feeding it in winter.
- Hoya plants produce more flowers when the roots become pot-bound. But, leaving the plant without repotting can stop its growth. So, repot the plant every 2 to 3 years for maintaining its good health.
- Prune all the dead leaves and dried flowers to save the energy of the plant.
Follow these tips to avoid any problem that bothers your plant.
Conclusion
Hoya plants are versatile plants that are worth our care and love. These tropical plants love to be at room temperature and can survive when there is a little fluctuation in the temperature. Also, they can tolerate a little negligence, thus they stand on the list of the best house plants. Even though being a hard plants, the Hoya plants too have some common problems that can be solved by our care and attention.Â
In this article, we have discussed many problems with reasons and solutions. I have also mentioned some tips to prevent those problems. So, I hope this article is helpful to you. Keep loving your Hoya plant.
I know it is too much to ask you but if you have any questions in mind, please feel free to comment down below and please share this article with your friends and family if possible. Thank you for visiting this article and website and keep reading.
Happy gardening to you!
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