Hoya Gracilis is an evergreen perennial tropical plant with attractive waxy leaves. It makes for an ideal house plant: it is not too hard to grow and will brighten up any corner of your property, no matter where you place it.
Of course, you will have to provide this plant with what it needs to survive to get the lush looks that make it so attractive. To learn more about Hoya Gracilis, you’ve landed in the right place.
Hoya Gracilis Quick Facts
Botanical Name: Hoya Gracilis
Common Name: Wax plant, Hoya Memoria, or Porcelain Flower.
Plant Type: Perennial
Flower Color: Small but stunning, bright pink with a star-like shape and a yellow center.
Size When Mature: 6-8 inches high and between 30-36 inches wide.
Bloom Time: Late Fall to mid-Spring
Sun Requirements: Medium to bright indirect light
USDA Hardiness Zones: 10-11
Soil PH Range: 6.0 – 7.5
Soil Type: Loose and well-draining.
Water Needs Medium (loves moisture but can tolerate periods of dryness): avoid overwatering.
Native Area: East Asia and Australia
What you Need to Know About Hoya Gracilis
Hoya Gracilis is a lovely house plant that produces fragrant pink flowers between fall and spring. This tropical plant is fast-growing and does well even in hanging pots.
If you ensure your plant receives adequate lighting, moisture, and optimal temperatures, it will grow lush. This climber displays slender stems with fleshy bright green leaves that you can train to grow around a support structure.
Luckily, you won’t need to worry about your cats or dogs munching on Hoya Gracilis’ leaves. This plant is non-toxic and won’t cause damage even when ingested.
How to Care for Hoya Gracilis
There isn’t much science behind growing and caring for a thriving Hoya Gracilis. However, you will have to pay attention to its requirements and give this plant what it needs to survive. Read on to learn what you can do to increase your chances of success of having a lush, bright-colored hoya at home.
Light
Hoya Gracilis plants need plenty of indirect sunlight to thrive. Plant them in a well-lit location. But beware: too much light will burn their leaves and cause them to turn yellow.
Avoid exposing them to the harsh rays of the sun. For optimal growth and lush foliage, provide your plant with at least six to eight hours of sunlight per day.
To ensure a more attractive shape, rotate your container every few weeks to allow even growth. All plant parts should get the same amount of light. Otherwise, you might see a denser side and a bare one.
Avoid leaving your plant in light-deprived conditions: it won’t grow and might lose its waxy leaves.
Water and Soil Needs
As with many tropical plants, one of the most crucial factors contributing to Hoya Gracilis’ growth is adequate watering. For best results, only water your plant when the soil feels dry.
It is often better to expose your plant to some dryness rather than overwatering them. Don’t forget to avoid leaving your plant in soggy conditions: it will cause its roots to rot.
On average, you should water your Hoya Gracilis once every two to three weeks in the winter. Increase the frequency in the summer as the temperatures rise.
The plant’s ideal pH conditions are between 6.0 and 7.5. For best results, the soil must be light and well-draining. Chose a potting mix that is not compact to provide adequate airflow to your plant’s roots.
You can use a commercial cactus mix or create your own combining potting soil, orchid bark, and perlite to reach good drainage (and nutrient content).
Temperature Requirements
Hoya Gracilis is a tropical plant that likes warmth. The ideal temperature for its growth ranges between 60 and 95F. While it can survive at higher temperatures, your plant won’t live in colder conditions.
Avoid exposing it to the harsh winters of your region to prevent it from dying. Your plant will not survive at temperatures below 55F.
Another crucial factor for a thriving hoya gracilis is humidity. Because of the plant’s native environment, it needs plenty of moisture.
While a humidifier won’t be necessary, you might have to mist your plant’s leaves frequently. However, avoid doing so during the blooming season, as too much humidity makes the plant susceptible to diseases and attacks from pests.
Don’t forget to keep your plants away from sources of air and warmth such as conditioners and radiators, as they might cause to dry out the air.
What USDA climate zone can it survive?
If you live in hardiness zone 10 or 11, you might consider planting your Hoya Gracilis outdoors. However, even under such circumstances, move your plant inside if temperatures drop below the optimal level. Also, don’t forget to protect your plant from harsh winds and sunlight.
Fertilizer
To boost your Hoya Gracilis’ growth, consider adding some fertilizer. Avoid overdoing it: too much of it can burn your plant’s root system. The good news is that hoyas are generally not fussy about what you feed them.
The best choice is to use organic materials to avoid adding chemicals to your plant. Add compost or manure to increase the nutrient content and boost leaves and flowers production.
If you decide to purchase a product, always follow the instruction you see on its label. Plus, only apply it during spring and summer.
Common Diseases
You may have to deal with attacks from pests and diseases with your Hoya Gracilis. Keep an eye on your plant and ensure you take prompt action when you notice something off with it. It is best to avoid infestations occurring and take measures to treat attacks as soon as they occur.
Don’t forget to avoid overwatering these plants: too much moisture makes them more susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections that might destroy their roots.
Hoya Gracilis Propagation
Propagating hoya gracilis is not rocket science. All you need to do is take some healthy-looking stem cuttings. You can root them in potting mix or water: both methods will give you satisfactory results.
Don’t forget to choose cuttings with at least a couple of leaves n them: you need leaf nodes to speed up new growth.
Whether you plant your cuttings in soil or place them in a container with water, you’ll have to be patient: roots will develop between three to six weeks. Consider adding some rooting hormone to speed up the process.
How to Prune Hoya Gracilis
Don’t forget to remove old and unhealthy-looking branches and leaves from your Hoya Gracilis. Also, prune your plant at least once per year to maintain attractive and not messy looks. Trim the plant as you wish, but do not overdo it: it might cause too much stress to your hoya.
Related Article: Hoya Elliptica Growth and Care Guide