Complete guide to hoya care

If you're looking for a gorgeous trailing plant for your home, Otto the hoya carnosa is the plant for you. With is colourful leaves and dangling stems, this plant is easy to look after and with the right care will thrive in your home. Here's how:

• Although this hoya will tolerate partial shade, it will be much happier in bright, indirect light
• Water when the top two inches of soil feel dry and drain well
• Misting every few days - they love a humid environment

Commonly known as ‘wax flower’, hoya carnosa gets its popular name because of the appearance of both its leaves and flowers. The leaves are thick with a waxy sheen and the flowers, viewed from a distance, look almost plastic. Up close you’ll see they’re actually covered in countless tiny hairs. You’ll also notice their sweet scent.

This hoya grows natively in East Asia and Australia, where it’s often found winding its way around the branches of other trees.

Hoya plants prefer bright, indirect light. They can also thrive in low light environments, but will grow slowly. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch the leaves.

Water your hoya plants regularly, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Over-watering can cause root rot, so it’s important to find the balance and let the water fully drain away. You don't want your hoya plant to sit in water.

Fertilise your hoya plants every few weeks in spring and summer with a balanced fertiliser. This will help promote healthy growth and blooms.

Prune your hoya plants to keep them healthy and encourage new growth. Remove any dead or dying leaves or stems. If your hoya is a getting too long or a bit out of control, just chop it back to your preferred length.

Repot your hoya plants every 2-3 years to make sure they have enough room to grow. Use a well-draining potting mix and a pot with drainage holes.

Propagate your hoya plants by taking stem cuttings and planting them in moist soil. You can also propagate them by air layering. Learn more about propagation here.

Inspect your hoya plants regularly for signs of pests or diseases. Treat any affected areas with an appropriate insecticide or fungicide.

Following these tips will help you keep your hoya plants healthy and happy for years to come. With a bit of care and attention, you can enjoy the beautiful blooms and lush foliage of your hoya plants.