The wax flower ( Hoya carnosa ) is a wonderful climbing plant whose thick, waxy, fleshy-looking leaves help it retain water. It is a type of plant very close to succulents, which grows up to one meter in height and is native to China and Japan.
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Many people are attracted to this plant because of its leaves, which vary from one species to another. In some cases it is difficult to distinguish these plants from each other unless they are flowering.
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As houseplants they are easy to maintain, last a long time and flower consistently year after year. Below we list the essential care of the wax flower .
Wax flower care
Light
Most plants belonging to this family cannot tolerate direct, intense light and their leaves suffer from direct exposure to the sun.
It is a plant that grows in the woods, among trees and shrubs, and is therefore used to receiving little intense and indirect light. This condition must be replicated at home.
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Many botanical gardens and hoya growers grow this plant under a shade cloth that blocks 50-80% of direct sunlight.
Soil and watering
The wax flower does not need much space, being an epiphytic plant (i.e. a vegetable that lives on another plant, without feeding at the expense of it). It is usually not necessary to transplant a hoya.
However, it is advisable to change the soil every 2 or 3 years. Use terracotta pots, which are more porous and therefore remove excess water from the soil more easily.
This is especially important since the wax flower does not like stagnant water. It needs regular watering, but the soil must be allowed to dry well to prevent the plant from rotting.
Humidity and temperature
The wax flower cannot tolerate cold temperatures, below 10°C: for this reason, care must be taken during the winter.
As regards humidity, this plant is used to living in contexts with high humidity, typical of subtropical and tropical areas. Despite this, it adapts well to drier contexts.
Top Wax Flower Problems and Solutions
Below we list the most common wax flower problems:
- If the wax flower’s leaves are burning or turning red, it could be a sign of too much light. Move the plant away from the sun’s rays.
- If the leaves are rotting it is possible that they are not getting enough water, or that the roots are dying. Check the roots, and also check for any scale insects.
- If the leaves begin to look flaccid, the roots may have died from over- or under-watering.
- If the wax flower isn’t blooming, it probably isn’t getting the right amount of light. However, some leaves may need some type of “stress” to stimulate flowering (i.e. cold or dry periods).
- If the shoots fall before flowering, perhaps the plant’s soil has been too dry or too humid for a long period of time.
If your wax flower has been dry for too long, try not to overwater it when watering it. Add water little by little so that the soil can moisten well.
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