Hoya Pubicalyx Pink Silver Plant Care & Ultimate Growing Guide

Did you know that Hoya Pubicalyx is one of the most beautiful plants that can be kept indoors and maintained with low care? Today I will tell you all about Hoya Pubicalyx care!

Who doesn’t love a gorgeous climbing and trailing waxy vine with low maintenance and with evergreen leaves and flowers growing every season spreading the most incredible fragrance all over your living room? Of course, you will want to grab such a plant for your amazing houseplant collections!

But how to care for this Hoya plant?

So, today in this article, I will share an ultimate care guide for growing the Hoya Pubicalyx or the Pink Silver Hoya. Keep reading till the end to learn more!

But first, let us know some important facts about this plant!

Important facts about the Hoya Pubicalyx plant that you need to know!

Hoya pubicalyx plants are often referred to as the Pink Silver Hoya because of their beautiful foliage that develops pinkish-silver color when they grow older. The shiny foliage that reflects the flowers of the plant makes the plant popular and the gorgeous fragrant flowers which spread a sweet smell steal our hearts with their furry look. Also, they are pink-colored flowers and are star-shaped. This eye-catchy plant has a vining tendency that enhances our interior. Furthermore, these plants can be grown indoors or outdoors in a shade.

Let me tell you more facts about the plant, before knowing the care tips for it.

Hoya Pubicalyx plants grow faster and achieve a maximum height of 8-10 feet. The plants that grow in the wild can climb up to 20 feet.
These plants spread their width up to 2 feet.
Anthocyanin, which is the protective pigment formed on the foliage that protects them from sunlight, is responsible for its pink silver look.
The lovely flowers that are pink-colored produce a sweet fragrance in the evenings.
The plant’s asp is toxic to both humans and animals so, keep the plant away from the reach of your children and pests. Also, wear gloves while pruning them.
These plants tend to be invasive, although there is no proof that these are invasive. So, prune the unwanted growth.

Before discussing the care guide, let us explore how to propagate Hoya Pubicalyx plants!

How to propagate the Hoya Pubicalyx plant?

Although the Hoya Pubiclayx plants are widely available in local nurseries or online plant stores, plant enthusiasts love to propagate them, since it gives us immense pleasure to see a successful new plant, if it is propagated by us. You can propagate these plants through various methods, but I have mentioned two of them, which save you time and energy. Let’s know these methods in detail!

1. Propagation through seeds

The Hoya pink silver plant can be easily propagated through seeds. This is a care-free process but it takes much time to see a new plant from the seeds. I will now discuss the step-by-step process for propagating the plant through seeds!

Wait for the growing season of the plant to see fast results.
Collect some seeds from the plant. Generally, these plants produce pods of seeds. Pick 2-3 pods from the mother plant, which should not be too young or too dry. Twist them to gather seeds.
Prepare a pot with suitable soil mix and dampen it.
Sow the seeds in the soil mix at an inch depth. Every two seeds should have at least 2 inches gap between them.
Maintain the soil wetness, until it produces roots.
Roots start growing in 4-5 weeks and then you can see small plants growing from the seeds.
Now, it’s time to change the newly propagated plants to different pots.

2. Propagation through stem cuttings

Propagating the Hoya Pubicalayx Pink Silver plant through stem cuttings is the easier, faster, and carefree process of increasing its number. Let me explain to you in detail!

Use sharp gardening tools to cut the stems of the plant.
Now, it is time to select a stem for propagation. Choose a bottom stem that is near the root system.
Collect the stem cutting of the Hoya Pubicalyx plant by gently pruning the selected stem. Make sure that the cutting is healthy, strong, and does not have any infection, while you propagate.
Prepare a pot with a suitable soil mix. Water it, such that the damp soil can easily welcome the cutting into it and help the root growth.
Cut the bottom leaves of the stem cutting and apply rooting hormone at the bottom end of the cutting. This helps in boosting the root growth of the stem cutting. If you don’t have rooting hormone at the moment, leave it, the stem cutting can produce roots with rooting hormone.
Now, gently press the bottom side of the stem cutting into the soil at 2 inches depth. Make sure that the cutting is perfectly standing in the damp soil.
Maintain the soil wetness to fasten the root growth.
It will take 2-3 weeks to produce small roots.
That’s it. Your newly propagated plant starts growing. You can leave the plant in the same pot or it can be transplanted into another pot.
You can propagate the stem cutting in water, sphagnum moss, and perlite as well.

Now, let us discuss the important topic that you were looking for and landed right here in this article!

How can you grow and care for the Hoya Pubicalyx plant?

It is very easy to grow these plants if you follow some care tips. Although it is a low-care plant, providing it enough care whenever it needs makes it thrive and keeps it away from problematic diseases. In further paragraphs, we will discuss the ultimate care tips that will make your gardening journey with this plant easy. So, let us not waste any more time and begin straightaway!

1. Sunlight requirements of Hoya Pubicalyx plant!

Sunlight is the most essential thing that is responsible for photosynthesis in plants. Thus it plays an important role in the plant’s survival. Being a tropical plant, the Hoya Pubicalyx plant needs adequate sunlight to grow and produce more flowers.

But this plant can’t tolerate direct sunlight. The sensitive velvety foliage can burn due to exposure to the direct sun. Also, it needs bright indirect sunlight for 6-8 hours daily. If Hoya Pubicalyx does not get adequate sunlight, the plant loses its color and stops growing and blooming. Most importantly, the silver splashes on the plant fade.

Avoid placing the plant outdoors under the hot sun, even if it is surrounded by several plants. You plant them between trees that provide shade to the plant and guard it against direct sunlight. You can place these plants in a shade that gets bright indirect sunlight, it may be indoors or outdoors.

If you grow them indoors, remember they can’t live in dark rooms. So, place the plant at 3-6 feet far from the windows that source bright light. Remember to close the windows during the afternoon of the hot summer as intense rays might fall on the plant. Filter the direct sunlight through drapes to provide this plant with enough sunlight. Do not place the plant just beside the windows as the sun rays that pass through the window glasses become more intense and may cause sunburns on the plant.

2. Water requirements of Hoya Pubicalyx plant!

Water plays a crucial role in a plant’s health. It transfers the nutrients present in the soil to the plant through the root system and has its role in the preparation of the plant’s food. The silver pink Hoya plants need a full drink of water only when the soil mix in its pot becomes dry.

Watering this beautiful plant might be tricky if you are a beginner. Because both overwatering and underwater can damage the plant. The only better way to water this plant correctly is to check the soil moisture before watering it.

Poke the soil if you find the soil is dry about an inch deep, you can proceed to water it, otherwise postpone your watering schedule. While watering, slowly pour the water onto the top of the soil without disturbing it. Let the roots and soil absorb enough water. Stop watering only after seeing the excess water comes out of the drainage holes.

Remember that overwatering can cause fungal growth in the soil mix which spreads to the plant through roots and can lead to root rot, mushy and droopy leaves, and stems that finally results in plant death. While underwatering leads to dehydration in plants and in this case the plant becomes dry and droopy and the leaves get brown edges which eventually fall off. This is also a serious situation and needs your care and attention.

3. Potting mix for planting Hoya Pubicalyx plant!

The soil mix you use to plant the Hoya Pubicalyx plant is significant in maintaining the plant’s health. Pink silver Hoya plants are often considered tropical plants which need dry soil to live in. Use only well-draining soil to plant these plants. Do not use compact soils for this plant, as the root system of the plant is sensitive and prone to root rot.

Compact soils or soil mixes that do not drain quickly, hold more water for a long time, the excess water stored in the soil gets absorbed by the roots which transfer it to the plant cells. Because of consuming more water than the required amount, the plant becomes bulbous and the leaves become mushy and that is where the fungus grows.

So, it is better to use well-drained soil mixes as it is available in any plant store and you can also make the perfect soil mix with your own hands by mixing peat moss, orchid bark, and portland with normal soil. You can also add coarse sand or small pieces of gravel to the mix to make it more well-draining. This soil mix is not just well-draining but also rich in nutrition that helps to improve plant health.

4. Potting Hoya Pubicalyx Plant!

The Hoya Pubicalyx plant’s care includes the material, size, drainage system, and the process of potting it. Using a pot that suits the plant makes it happy and thus the plant thrives. Remember the pot is like a house for the plant, in which it should live for years until it gets repotted. So, let me explain more about this.

Normal clay pots, unglazed ceramic pots, and terracotta pots for planting the Pink Silver Hoyas. Cement pots are not bad as they too have porous walls. But, don’t use plastic pots for planting these plants. As I said before, Hoya Pubicalyx plants should have dry soil to live in. But, the plastic pots do not allow the soil mix to get dry soon. This may result in root-related issues.

Use a pot that has a diameter of 2 inches more than the root ball of the plant. Larger pots with more soil hold more water which is not good in the case of the Hoya Pubicalyx plant. The pot that is used to plant Hoya Pubicalyx should have good drainage to keep the soil dry. So, check the drainage system of the pot before you buy it.

If you are a new gardener, then follow this method to pot your Pink Silver Hoya. Firstly, select the best pot for potting the plant, then fill the first layer of the pot with gravel or small pieces of bricks that avoids blockage of drainage holes. Then, fill the second layer with a preferred soil mix. Now, place the plant and support the plant by adding soil around it. Water it lightly and place it in a well-lit area.

5. Repotting Hoya Pubicalyx plant!

The Hoya Pubicalyx plant needs to be repotted every 1-2 years. Because they grow faster thus the roots become pot-bound soon. Although the pot-bound roots help the plant in producing more blooms, it is not recommended to leave the plant like that. Repotting the plant with a new pot and fresh soil mix regularly helps it by supplying more nutrients and reducing the risk of fungal growth in the soil.

To repot your Hoya Pubicalyx plant, get a pot that is 1-2 inches larger than the old pot. It allows the further growth of the roots. Fill it with a layer of gravel and the second layer with soil mix. Now, dampen the old pot to loosen the soil. So that you can take out the plant easily. Gently pull out the plant from the old pot. Shake the plant to remove the old soil and place it in the new pot. Add some soil around the plant in the pot to make it stand and fill the top layer of the pot.

If you observe any root rot, then cut it with a sharp knife before planting it in a new pot.

6. Fertilizing Hoya Pubicalyx plant!

Hoya plants are versatile plants that may not need an extra boost to thrive. But if there is a lack of nutrients in the soil, the plant becomes weak and you can observe a drop in its growth. In such cases, fertilization helps the plant. Feeding during the growing season encourages the growth and blooming capacity of the plant. It also delays the blooming period. Also, it is better to use organic fertilizers to feed the plant.

If you are going to use chemical fertilizers, use mild ones or dilute them as per the instructions given in the container of the fertilizer. Because the root system of the Hoya pink silver plant is so sensitive and can be burned due to over-fertilization.

7. Pruning Hoya Pubiclayx Plant!

Vining plants like Hoya Pubicalyx plants do not need to be pruned to get the desired shape as the vines are already beautiful (it’s what I feel!), you can prune the unwanted stems that are leggy. If there is any pest or fungal growth on the foliage, then prune the infected part. Remember to sterilize the pruners before and after the pruning process and always wear gloves to avoid skin irritations that are caused due to the plant’s sap.

Many plant growers prune their plants at the end of their growing season. This helps the plant to save its energy for the next growing season. Do not prune the plant in the winter, it may cause stress in the plant. Never prune the new leaf nodes, you may observe the flowering over there. Also, avoid pruning the old flowers, let them drop-off, off because they will be replaced by the new flowers. Pruning the dead lead leaves will not affect the plant, so you can do it at any time. If you are cutting off the leggy stems, then try propagating through them.

8. Suitable Temperature and Humidity of Hoya Pubicalyx Plant!

The plants that belong to the Hoya genus, adapt to the temperatures and humidity levels in the home. Thus they become one of the best indoor plants. But, you have to remember that temperature and humidity can influence the plant’s health. So, maintaining the plant in suitable temperature and humidity ranges will make it thrive.

Temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit suit this plant well. The temperatures above this range will cause dehydration in the plant and lead to wrinkled leaves and leaf-drop. The temperatures below the range will lead to dormancy in the plant. You will observe a drop in the plant’s growth, droopy leaves, and stems. You can adjust the temperatures by using plant heaters in the winter and place the plant near air coolers if the temperatures are too high. Do not leave the plant outdoors during the nights of winter and in the afternoons of hot summers.

The humidity level of your home must be between 40 to 60% if you grow Hoya Pubicalyx indoors. This plant needs humidity to thrive. But more or less than the above range will damage the plant. High humid conditions will make the plant’s foliage soft and mushy, this may lead to fungal growth or the leaves of it may become droopy. Make sure that it gets enough air, which reduces the effect of high humid conditions.

Low humidity conditions will also make the plant sick. The leaves of it become curled, dried, and lose their shine. This can also make the plant die. So, if you observe any dryness in the plant, then place some plants around it. Sometimes plant lights make the plant dry then try misting the dry plant, remember the frequency of misting depends on the dryness in the plant. Do not place the plant near vents.

Do you have pests and diseases that can occur to your Hoya plants? Do you want to keep them healthy? Let’s know them in detail!

Common pets and diseases that trouble the Hoya Pubicalyx plant!

Every plant gets attacked by pests and some diseases. It may be due to a lack of care or environmental and climatic conditions. If you are bothered about how to treat the plant and get it back on track, then let us discuss the plant’s common problems and their solutions.

1. Pests that can affect the Hoya Pubicalyx plant

Pests like Aphids, mealybugs scale, and spider mites can trouble your plant. Tropical plants are always prone to these pests. Some of them can be removed by just picking them, but most of them lie underside of the plant and are too small to pick. You can get rid of them by spraying soap and water on the affected parts. Mild pesticides can help you in this case, but over usage is not recommended. Small pests like Mealybugs can easily be removed by wiping with a cotton ball that is dipped in rubbing alcohol. Applying neem oil to the infected parts will avoid pest growth in the future.

2. Diseases that can affect the Hoya Pubicalyx plant

Root rot, fungal growth, droopy leaves, leaf-fall, dried leaves, brown edges, discoloration of the leaves, fall in the growth of the plant, and stopped flowering are the common diseases that a Hoya Pubicalyx can face. Mostly, changes in climatic conditions and uncomfortable environmental conditions lead to these diseases. Sometimes that may be your fault, that lack of proper care can lead to a diseased plant. Whatever may be the reason, you can treat your plant with adequate care.

Root rot, fungal diseases, leaf-fall, and yellow droopy leaves are caused by overwatering, frequent watering, inadequate sunlight, poor drainage, and in the least cases high humid conditions. Water it only when the soil becomes dry and place the plant in a well-lit area.

Follow the above care tips to get rid of these situations. Root rot is to be considered a serious case and needs your attention. All the above diseases, maybe the signs of root rot. If there is any mold growth on the soil mix or if the plant has a foul smell, immediately report the plant with a suitable pot and potting mix. Prune the infected parts of the root system.

Overexposure Tosun, high temperatures, and inadequate watering can cause diseases like brown-edged leaves, leaves turning brown, leaf-fall curled leaves, dried leaves, and sometimes your plant becomes limp. So, provide a comfortable zone for the plant.

Lack of sunlight and lack of fertilization can cause a fall in the growth of the plant and your plant may stop flowering in this case. Provide adequate care to reset the plant’s behavior.

Conclusion

Hoya Pubicalyx or the Pink Silver Hoya plants are well-known for their low growth requirements and their beautiful appearance. You can easily maintain this plant indoors or outdoors if you are attentive to its needs. Your proper care will make it thrive.

In this article, I’ve shared the complete care guide for this plant, which will help you to provide adequate care for your plant at the right time. The basic principle of growing this plant is to keep an eye on it and quickly respond to it. It is not as tough as it sounds. That’s it! It will be happy and make you happy with its beautiful and fragrant flowers.

I hope you enjoyed reading about this fabulous house plant Hoya Pubicalyx. If you have any questions in mind, feel free to comment down below. Also, don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family!

Author

Purnima
She is a Forestry and Agriculture graduate with over two years of experience in designing, planting, and maintaining an indoor plant and herb garden. She is an evergreen plant lover and plant parent.
View all posts