Hoya finlaysonii is a hardy, evergreen shrub or tree which makes up the genus of hoyas. It is well known for its variegated foliage and unique flowers. It has silver-white spikes on its leaves to give any living room a touch of nature. The flowers resemble some pineapple but are primarily in white, pink, purple, and pale blue shades.
Hoya uses its fragrance to attract bees via their nectar production process. In reality, some hoya is challenging to grow. You might have heard of the Hoya carnosa, which is challenging because it needs strong air circulation and a high humidity environment. However, Hoya finlaysonii is not one of these difficult-to-grow plants. It thrives in low light levels and does not need much water.
How to Care for hoya finlaysonii
Light Needs
The Hoya Finlaysonii likes high light levels, so it is recommended that you place it in an east or west-facing window, which will provide at least 10 hours per day. If given less than 10 hours, think about how much light your plant is getting and adjust accordingly. It needs to be protected from strong direct sun in the summertime as too much can cause the leaves to weaken and die off. That is why you should not place it in front of a south window.
Water Needs
Hoya finlaysonii plant needs about twice as much water as the soil. Give the hoya finlaysonii plant 1/4 inch water at least once a week. More than 1/4 inch of water can cause root rot, so do not overwater.
Hoya finlaysonii plant will continue to grow and flower even if it is not water. However, your plant will not produce as many new leaves and flowers during extremely dry conditions. You should add pebbles or gravel in your potting mix to help retain moisture.
Soil Needs
The hoya finlaysonii plant needs a well-drained, slightly acidic potting mix. Soil should be made up of peat moss, perlite, topsoil, or coco coir. You can buy hoya finlaysonii plant soil, or you can make your own by adding about one part perlite or sphagnum peat moss to your potting mix.
However, over time the soil will become difficult to water and cause the roots to rot. Also, avoid soggy soils since they will rot before your plant ever gets the chance to take root. The best way to replenish the soil is by periodically mixing in new earth from outside or with potting mix that has been sterilized in an oven for 30 minutes at 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature Requirements
Hoyas are tropical plants that love humidity. The hoya finlaysonii plant needs a warm, moderate 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit temperature. It also needs direct sunlight, but not direct sun. The temperature should be cool enough to ensure your hoya finlaysonii plant will not get burned and hot enough to induce growth in the spring and summer months.
The hoya finlaysonii plant requires a maximum temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months. The newest growths are produced in the spring and summer months before they set seed in September or October. The hoya finlaysonii plant requires a temperature drop to 32 degrees Fahrenheit at night during the winter months.
Hoya plants need warm and humid conditions to thrive in. A USDA zone 10 or 11 is suitable for this type of plant. Hoya finlaysonii usually does not tolerate frost damage well, so it cannot be grown below USDA zone 10 or above USDA zone 11.
Fertilizer
The best fertilizer for your Hoya finlaysonii plant is a well-balanced houseplant fertilizer with a 10-10-10 ratio. Fertilizers with phosphorus and potassium like Miracle Grow Indoor Plant Food usually contain these ratios and can be found at garden supply stores, hardware stores, and grocery stores. If the product does not list its ratio or cannot find it locally, then any 10-10-10 fertilizer will work in a pinch.
You can use water-soluble fertilizers or slow-release granular fertilizers for this type of plant as long as it has the correct nitrogen, phosphate, and potash ratio. For potted plants, you must regularly add a slow-release fertilizer to your potting mix (at least every two months for good growth) and water. You can also use an organic fertilizer right on top of the soil.
Common Diseases
Hoya Finlaysonii Metamorphosis
Hoya finlaysonii plants often show signs of this disease when the leaves start spreading and growing longer. The leaves will stretch out and are commonly joined together by a thin string at the bottom. This string is an indication that the plant is starting to fatten up for the season.
Hoya Finlaysonii Wilt
If you do not allow your plant to dry completely between waterings, you may find yourself in need of some hoya finlaysonii wilt remedies. As a result of constant moist conditions and lack of light, your hoya finlaysonii may develop problem tissues that lead to tissue rot or mildew.
Hoya Finlaysonii Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew typically affects young leaves and stems, often in the form of spots that are hollowed out. They may be white or yellow and will usually leave a residue when you brush against them. Pay your hoya finlaysonii some extra attention to make sure its health stays at top form!
Hoya Finlaysonii Dieback
If you have a hoya finlaysonii plant that starts to show dieback signs, there is likely an issue with your soil. If the soil mixture is too moist or wet, you will likely see dieback issues with your plant. Hoya finlaysonii roots are fragile and require good draining soil to thrive.
Hoya Finlaysonii Leaf Drop
If your hoya finlaysonii leaves are dropping off, it could be a lack of water or too much sunlight. If you find the leaves are still dropping off, it’s time to take a closer look. Be sure you’re watering your plant deeply at least once per week and keeping its area free of direct sunlight.
How to Propagate Hoya Plants from Cuttings
Growing hoyas from cuttings are pretty easy and is a great way to keep both yourself and your wallet in check. Take cuttings from young plants (new growth) with a minimum of one leaf node on each cutting. The leaves should be fleshy and firm, not dry or brittle.
If you’re using rooting hormone, slice the leaf bottom in a v-shape and place it in a small dish of water with a tiny amount of rooting hormone. The purpose of the hormone is to encourage cell division and growth. You can skip this step if you do not have any rooting hormone on hand or rely on nature to do the propagation work.
The critical thing here is that your hoya cutting should have at least one leaf node (leaf stem). If the plant has only one leaf node, it will continue to grow leaves and shoots until it is mature. If there are no nodes, you will only get roots but no leaves or shoots, which will not look so pretty and need constant care.
Once you have made your cuttings, place them in a small pot with a good quality potting mix. Roots will form on one side of the leaf, and shoots will form on the other side. You should place the pot in a warm area to receive adequate sunlight for at least five hours per day.
If you want to keep things simple, cover your cutting loosely with a plastic bag or an overturned glass jar, but do not seal it closed, or you will risk dehydration. In other words, you should allow the air to circulate freely.
How to Prune hoya finlaysonii
There is no point trimming out all the dead or diseased leaves from your hoya. They are an inevitable part of the plant’s life cycle and should be left to die off. It is best not to cut them away too aggressively as they contain some photosynthetic material that may speed up larger plants’ growth. If you allow this to happen, the new development will start to take over after about a year, and these older leaves will be pushed to the side, eventually rotting down into nutrient-rich compost.
The best time for pruning hoyas is in spring (March-April) before they have bloomed or set seed:
- Loosen any new shoots that are beginning to emerge from the plant’s main trunk.
- Cut away any new shoots emerging at the base of older branches. Then cut back any sprouts, lightly pruning away all side branches.
- Remove all dead or damaged material from the plant.
Conclusion
The hoya finlaysonii plant is a favorite among those who enjoy gardening. This lovely flowering plant typically features thick, broad leaves, and clusters of flowers that emit an extraordinary fragrance.
Hoya plants are easy to care for, so you have nothing to worry about there. All you need to do is place your hoya in an area that receives light but not excessive amounts of direct sunlight (too much will scorch the leaves) and water it sparingly when the soil feels dry.