The wax flower ( Hoya carnosa ) is a prodigious plant, whose name derives from the appearance of its flowers which seem to be made of wax or porcelain, especially when they are not yet completely open.
Depending on the length of the plant, it can be left hanging or adapted to a climber, although in the latter case it will still need to be attached to a support.
To bloom, the wax flower should be placed in a well-lit area, but not exposed to direct sunlight. Ideally, it should be placed outside, in a place sheltered from the sun but with plenty of light.
The wax flower is not resistant to intense cold, so if you decide to grow it in cold places, you should protect it from wind and frost.
Its leaves are oval and fleshy, which is indicative of the water reserves that the plant is able to keep. In spite of this, it is advisable to water it frequently in summer, to favor the blooming.
In winter, it is necessary to reduce the frequency of irrigation, allowing the surface soil to dry between waterings. Too much water could cause the leaves to turn yellow.
The wax flower can reach a height of several meters, but this will depend on the size of the vase. A 30 cm pot is enough to hold a 3 or 4 meter high plant. The plant starts to bloom when the roots are tightly packed.
The main causes of flower bud drop are excessive heat (an average temperature of 30°C or more), plant movement, cold drafts (such as air conditioning) and lack of water.
The plant will not bloom if it lacks nutrients, light or moisture, or if the pot is too large.
