The hoya flower is often called waxy ivy because of the leaves covered with a shiny bloom. Against the background of such foliage, inflorescences of an elegant shape look beautiful. Growing this flower is not an easy task, but you can cope with it if you know the rules of care.
There are three categories of hoya: ampelous, upright and curly. The ampelous species hang down beautifully, the erect ones form compact bushes, and the curly ones twine around the support near which they grow.
White hoya flowers look spectacular against a background of green leaves
The most common types:
- “Wax”. It grows in length up to 6 m and needs support. It has small thick leaves, covered with a waxy bloom and collected in a rosette of white inflorescences;
- “Beautiful.” It grows in the form of a shrub, but its shoots hang down a little. The snow-white flowers with a purple center resemble small stars;
- “Multi-flowered”. Curly look. The plant has long leaves and a large number of small yellowish flowers with narrow pointed petals;
- “Majestic”. Shrub with large fleshy leaves. Dark red flowers are collected in umbrellas;
- Hoya Kerry. It can be recognized by its characteristic leaf shape, which resembles a heart. The flowers are pubescent and collected in large inflorescences in the form of a spherical umbrella. The shade of the flowers depends on the light level of the room.
Each species and variety has its own flavor and beauty.
It is not easy to give general recommendations for the care of this flower, since each variety requires special conditions. But one main rule can be distinguished: in no case should the earth become overwetted.
Plants with dense leaves like bright light. The optimal location is a south window. Water the flower only after the topsoil has dried.
Species with thin leaves feel uncomfortable in bright sunlight. The best places for them are windows, loggias or balconies on the east or west side. The earth ball should always be slightly damp.
Optimum temperature in summer – 18-25ºC, in winter – 14-15ºC
The intense heat destroys these plants, their leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off. A lower temperature in the cold season is required, otherwise the hoya will not bloom. Most species can withstand even lower temperatures – up to 10ºC. One of the exceptions is the beautiful hoya, which sheds leaves from too low a temperature.
The correct conditions of detention and timely care for the hoya ensure long-term flowering and the absence of diseases in the plant.