Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:05 pm
Hoya carnosa variegata is a hoya plant with leaves that are unique in their markings and shape. The hoya carnosa variegata is also one of the most popular hoya plants due to its large, colorful flowers. This hoyas popularity has led to it being used as a decoration in homes all over the world. There are many reasons why people love this hoya so much!
This hoya carnosa variegata is a thin, delicate plant that originates in the Philippines. It enjoys high humidity and thrives when grown indoors. The hoya carnosa variegata’s leaves are green with white edges. it also produces small, round flowers of various colors throughout its life span.
Origin of Hoya carnosa variegata
The origin of Hoya Carnosa Variegata is not clear. It was probably introduced to Europe in the late 18th century by a Dutch merchant who sold it as an unknown plant under his own name. The collector, Philipp Franz von Siebold, sent some plants from Japan, including one with variegated leaves, which were named Hoyoa by the German botanist Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini. He also introduced them to England and France in 1829.
A variegated hoya carnosa, which is perhaps the most common of all Hoyas grown as houseplants or conservatory specimens for its ease of culture and tolerance of low light levels, has deep green leaves with narrow creamy-white edges.
Hoya carnosa variegata propagation?
Hoya Carnosa Variegata is a great plant to grow inside your home. It’s easy and fun! Hoya carnosa variegata can be propagated by cuttings or seeds, but I prefer using the former method. Otherwise, you may end up with thousands of plants.
Just get some healthy-looking leaves and cut out a branch of about 20 – 30 cm.
Remove the lower leaves, leaving only two or three at the tip of each leaf stalk (petiole). The cut must be made with a sharp knife all the way across from one side to another in order not to leave any jagged ends that might rot after rooting.
Place the cutting in a glass of water. It is necessary to keep it well watered, or it may dry out and die. The best way for rooting hoya carnosa variegata cuttings is by using a soilless potting mix mixed with perlite at about 50%.
The container must be kept warm (24 – 28ºC) and the cuttings will root within one to three months. Once rooted, pups can be separated from their parent plant after about six months or so as they become crowded and produce fewer flowers than those on a mature hoya carnosa variegata plant.
Hardships such as low light levels, dryness and low humidity levels, as well as over-watering, can cause leaf variegation (i.e., striping) to fade or disappear entirely. Hoya carnosa variegata plants that are stressed also produce fewer flowers than those in their prime condition.
Hoya carnosa variegata care
Hoya Carnosa Variegata care is easy! These plants give off the most beautiful flowers. The color of these blooms can vary from pink to red, depending on light intensity and temperature gradients in your location. It’s best to keep them at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit with moderate humidity levels.
You should also fertilize every two weeks, using a 20-20-20 or similar product. We recommend using distilled water for this plant in order to prevent harmful salts from building up on the leaves and stems.
Light requirement
Most hoya plants require bright sunlight for optimal growth. In the wild, they are accustomed to full sun all day long and can suffer from a lack of light in a home environment. For best results, place the plant in a south- or west-facing window.
If that’s not possible, supplement with full spectrum grow lights (such as fluorescent).
If you keep your hoya outside during the summer and it does well there but suddenly starts to lose leaves when brought inside for winter, try increasing its sunlight exposure by moving it to a sunnier window.
Hoya carnosa variegata prefers bright indirect sunlight all day long, making it perfect for an office environment or home with limited lighting options. A south-facing window will provide the most light throughout the year but the west is also acceptable if that’s your only option. If you are using grow lights, try to mimic the natural light cycle as closely as possible by leaving them on for ten hours a day.
Hoya plants are very heat tolerant and can handle temperatures up to 95°F (35°C). They need significantly less water in hot weather, so be sure not to overwater or you may cause root rot.
Soil/potting mix
Hoya carnosa variegata grows best when planted in a well-draining potting mix. It is important that the growing media does not hold too much moisture as this can cause root rot or fungal issues for your plant.
The hoya carnosa variegata can be grown in a wide range of soil types, as long as it is well-draining. It tolerates both acidic and alkaline soils.
I recommend filling the bottom with gravel or small stones to improve drainage since water will collect there before seeping into the potting mix. I also recommend using a pot with a drainage hole.
The hoya carnosa variegata can be grown in pots of all sizes, but the larger the better because it loves to grow and climb. It needs plenty of space for its roots as well as the room above ground to spread out and perform photosynthesis. A big enough pot will also provide room for the plant to take up water quickly.
Watering
The hoya carnosa variegata are considered easy to care for. They need moist soil but do not like being waterlogged. Water them on a regular basis, making sure that the entire root ball is thoroughly watered instead of just pouring over the top. The excess moisture can cause problems with mold or rot if they stay soggy for too long.
The hoya carnosa variegata should be misted every other day or so if the humidity is low to prevent dryness which can cause brown spots on leaves that eventually turn into holes. If the room has a dehumidifier, it may need to be used in order to maintain proper humidity levels because the air is too dry.
Fertilizer
In order to help your hoya carnosa variegata grow, you will need fertilizer. However, it is important to not over-fertilize because this can be detrimental for the plant’s health and growth. Instead, simply add a small amount of fertilizer to the plant’s soil once every three months. Additionally, you can also try adding some fish emulsion for an extra boost of nutrients.
Temperature
Hoya carnosa variegata is a tropical plant and does not tolerate freezing temperatures. In general, you should keep your hoya at room temperature or up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature for your hoya is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Humidity
The hoya carnosa variegata is happy in the humidity of 65-75%. It does not need any special care for this. Normal room humidity will be fine, but it can help to mist your plant about once a week if you are having trouble with that. If your house is very dry, you can also stand the potted plant in a tray of pebbles and water. The pot should not be submerged, just up to about half an inch from the top of the rocks.
Pruning
Pruning of the Hoya Carnosa variegata is necessary for a healthy and attractive plant. It can be done any time during the growing season, but usually, it is best to do in spring or early summer before new growth begins. The idea behind pruning this vine is that you are encouraging more branching from side shoots, leaving bare wood for the plant to flower on.
Pruning should be done at a time when you can see where new shoots are developing, if not then it is very difficult to know which will produce flowers and fruit next year unless there are signs of flowering that season or obvious swelling buds. This vine has thick stems with many branches that need thinning. You can remove large leaves and flower stalks, but try to keep some on the plant so it will produce new growth for next year’s flowers.
When to repot
You can do it when the roots are coming through the drain holes. This usually happens every two to three years, but you might need to pot them more often if they get root bound in their containers or if you grow slow-growing varieties that are less active.
Dormancy
Hoya carnosa variegata will require a period of dormancy. If you are growing hoya indoors, reduce watering and stop fertilizing during the winter months to help your plant enter its dormant phase. In addition, it’s helpful if you place your plant in a cool location with reduced light levels for two or three months so that the plant can rest.
During this time, your hoya’s leaves will wither and dry up as the roots die back. If you continue to water during dormancy or attempt to propagate from a leaf cutting that is taken in winter, there is a good chance that your efforts will fail because the root system has been compromised by low temperatures and dehydration.
Flowers & Fragrance
The hoya carnosa variegata is an evergreen vine that produces pretty white flowers. This variety also has yellow and green leaves, which are attractive in their own right. They form clusters of blooms during the summer months for a splash of color indoors or outdoors. The fragrance is sweet but subtle (some say it smells like grapes).
Growth rate
Hoya plants usually grow slowly. If you want a quick-growing plant, this is not the best one for you!
Toxicity
Hoya carnosa variegata is reported to be toxic to both pets and humans, so care should be taken when handling this plant.
USDA Hardiness zone
Hoya carnosa variegata is hardy to USDA zones 9 through 11
Pests and diseases
Hoya carnosa variegata is prone to Aphids, which can be treated with Neem oil or insecticidal soap. It is also prone to Mealybugs, the simple solution to this is garlic spray.
If root rot is noticed, watering should be reduced and repot in fresh soil.
