Hoya Macrophylla Plant Care

Owning a plant is very hard especially if you are a first-timer in the Flora and Fauna department. But, hanging foliage plants are the kinds of plants that are the best thing to own.

Native to Australia and Asia, this other type of wax plant, or Hoya macrophylla, is one of the low-maintenance houseplants that can add up to your plant collections.

You may enjoy potting or hanging the plant so long as it is not directed to sunlight. It is an epiphyte type of plant, which means it crawls to collect nutrients. Not very often, it grows flowers that only let go of its sweet scents at night for its pollinators are nocturnal.

So if you are one who stays up late, you may be able to enjoy its scent

Botanical Name: Hoya macrophylla

Other names: Large-leaf Hoya Vine, Wax vine

Plant Type: Evergreen perennial

Exposure to Sunlight: Bright, indirect light

Soil Type: well-draining soil

Color: Sturdy Green leaves

Water: Below Average (soak and dry)

Favorable Climate: Tropical climate

Preferable Fertilizer: Houseplant fertilizer

Propagation: Stem cutting

Toxicity Warning: non-toxic

Status: Common

Height: 4-6 ft (indoors), 12 feet or longer (outdoors)

Origin: Borneo, Jawa to the Lesser Sunda Islands

Hoya macrophylla Plant Care Basics

hoya macrophylla plant

Recommended Potting Mix

Hoya macrophylla requires well-draining soil with alkaline and calcium. It will grow most comfortably with the right base of soil mix that is easy to combine such as equal parts of the following: perlite, cactus mix, and organic mix rich in charcoal.

Your regular potting mix can be a substitute for the cactus mix if you don’t have any.

Lighting 

Since Hoya macrophylla is not sunlight-hungry, you must place it in an area that does not get much sun. You can place it in an east-facing window where it can get enough light. When deciding to hang your Hoya macrophylla, avoid placing it in your window where the sun is directed or it gets bright light.

Direct sunlight can give you lousy Hoya leaves, so it’s better to avoid direct sunlight. If you think your macrophylla looks gorgeous as an outdoor plant, then make sure to place them with no direct access to sunlight. A shaded patio or under a canopy of trees.

Watering Needs

Talking about a low-maintenance plant, watering Hoya macrophylla doesn’t need to be frequent. As long as its soil is moist, your Hoya is doing good. To be able to give the proper dampness that your Hoya needs, it is better to check the surface and the drain holes beside and under your pot.

If these parts are all dried up, then it’s time for your Hoya to drink up.

When watering your Hoya, make sure to soak it to assure that it is getting enough water, soak—but never drown, thorough watering is needed because over-watering might lead the plant to root rot or wither. Before putting it right back in its place, make sure you drain it well.

Another tip is you can use distilled water or even tap water to water your Hoya plants.

Temperature & Humidity 

Hoya macrophylla ideal temperature is between 65 and 80oF (18 to 27oC). They love it warm and cozy. And because its natural habitat has a tropical kind of climate, your Hoya might hibernate, or go into dormancy when the temperature drops a little.

Keeping your Hoya in a bright place and waiting for its time to wake up is the best thing to do during these sleepy moments.

Hoya macrophylla likes it humid, and unless you have a terrarium, you cannot give the plant the best humidity it wants. You should know the area’s humidity levels before placing your Hoya macrophylla there.

By spraying a decent amount of water on its soil surface, it can go through the day without feeling like drowning at night.

plant humidifier

Though this plant doesn’t need high humidity, a humidifier or placing it together with its fellow hoya plants or succulents may also help, though sitting the plants beside each other is not that recommended because they are prone to fungi.

Fertilizer 

The best time to apply fertilizer to the plant is during its growing season. Though Hoya macrophylla only requires to be fertilized once a month, it is not really recommended to fertilize it during winter when your Hoya is in its sleeping or dormancy period.

Organic fertilizer is enough to help your Hoya macrophylla grow, and unless you want it to grow quicker than usual, do not spray fertilizer on it more than once a month.

Propagation

One of the best ways to grow your Hoya macrophylla collection, or to give them away to your circle of friends, is to propagate it. And Hoya macrophylla propagation is easy and requires less effort. By cutting off a healthy stem, preferably not the budding ones, including two nodes and a leaf or two, your next Hoya is ready to live.

Though sphagnum moss makes it easy to propagate, without it, the propagation can still be a success. Place your stem cut to water and wait for two to three weeks for the plant’s roots to grow. Once its roots appear, you can re-pot your Hoya and poof!

Another Hoya plant grows.

Growth Zone

Do not expect the Hoya macrophylla plant to grow quickly, as it is really a slow-grower. Though it can grow 5-7 feet tall, depending on how you maintain it, this plant is a good houseplant when you live in a country with generous humidity and sunshine.

But if you live in countries with cold temperatures, it is best to maintain a regular indoor plant size as it has to stay indoors due to cold seasons.

Potting and Pruning

Your Hoya plant doesn’t need a large pot to grow for it prefers bounded roots. A small to medium-sized pot with drain holes is enough for the plant to grow comfortably. (The plant needs good drainage for it to grow)

Since this plant is a climber, support for the plant’s leaves to climb would be a good help. Your plant may need repotting after a year or two, depending on the status of the soil, since for the longest time it gets acidic, or your Hoya plant grows a little bigger, it does not mean you have to re-pot on a bigger container, remember that Hoya loves its roots bounded.

Remember to prune your plant when dry or yellowish leaves appear, cutting damaged foliage and stems will also help the plant to re-grow into new stems. When you choose to keep your plant indoors, you may trim it according to the length that you like.

Hoya Macrophylla Varieties and Similar Plants 

Other varieties and similar plants to look out for and add to your collections are the same family of plants such as Hoya Krimson, Hoya Bella, Hoya Obscura, and Hoya Obovata, or the famous Hoya Macrophylla Variegata.

hoya macrophylla variegata

Hoya macrophylla Plant Diseases & Pests

Aphids and Mealybugs often become a little problem when it comes to houseplants. Though Aphids can be removed by spraying a little water with soap, Mealybugs are also easy to get rid of by using cotton soaked with alcohol.

These common pests can be noticed especially by Hoya since it is prone to mold and fungus. Mold and fungus often grow in a plant that has poor air circulation, often being misted, and in plants that are used to humidity. These can be avoided by simply spraying a non-toxic vegetable oil, Neem oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hoya macrophylla’s flower has a sweet scent, some observed it as a little chocolatey smell or hyacinths. Hoya macrophylla’s flower scent can be enjoyed during the nighttime.

Over-watering or lower light can cause Hoya macrophyllas to turn yellowish. It is best to always check the soil before watering the plant. And though Hoya doesn’t require direct sunlight, it still needs bright light to properly grow. The fungus may also cause your plants to turn yellow. 

Yellowish leaves are one indication that you are overwatering your Hoya. Never water your plant unless damps on your drain holes and surface soil are gone. It is better to always recheck because setting up an alarm or reminder to water your plant does not often work because it doesn’t drink up water in the same amount every time.

If you’re now convinced to buy a Hoya Macrophylla of your own, you can check Plantly and scroll to see some of your favourite houseplants!

Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

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