Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:08 pm
Hoya obovata is a hoya plant that originated from the Philippines. Hoya plants are known for their beauty and hoya obovata is no exception. This hoya has green leaves and flowers with yellow centers. They prefer to be in partial shade, but they do need direct sunlight to grow well. The flowers on these hoyas can last up to three months!
The plant gets its name from the shape of its leaves, which are oval-shaped like an egg. It can grow as tall as five feet in some areas and it has flowers with white petals. These plants make perfect additions for any garden because they require little care and they do not need much sunlight or water.
It is also a climbing plant that can grow up to 150 cm. It has thick, shiny, and fleshy leaves with an oval shape. The flowers are white or pinkish and sweet-scented. They bloom from March till September if they receive enough sunlight, but mostly in springtime between April and June.
Origin and description
Hoya obovata is native to Australia and New Zealand. It can also be found in India, China, and the Philippines. Another common name for this plant is tropical waxplant or porcelain flower which describes its appearance very well
The Hoyas are named after the priest Father Hoya who brought them to Europe in 1820. They originate from Asia, mainly Thailand and Malaysia, where they grow on rocks or trees without soil below an altitude of 600 meters above sea level.
The leaves of Hoya obovata are thick and covered with a waxy substance that helps protect them from the harsh environment of its native, subtropical climate. The flowers are white and trumpet-shaped (similar to other hoyas).
Hoya obovata is relatively easy to grow in the home or garden as long as it has plenty of sunlight all day long; otherwise, they will become spindly with fewer leaves. They also need to be watered regularly (but not too much) and fertilized every two weeks during the warmer months.
Hoya obovata is used in horticulture as a landscape shrub, groundcover, or container plant. As of 2013, it was still available for sale through some online nurseries; however, it can often become difficult to find now.
Hoya obovata propagation
Propagating Hoya obovata is very easy. The propagation can be done in two ways: stem cutting or leaf propagation. Both are easy and induce the plant to produce roots quickly. You can use stem cuttings or leaf cuttings to propagate the plant, but it’s much easier to work with stems.
To make a stem cutting, simply take part of a healthy branch and strip off all leaves from that piece except for at least two on top. Then put that stem into a glass of water until roots form. Keep the cuttings moist and in bright indirect light, then plant it once there are signs of growth (roots or leaves).
Stem cuttings should never have their bottom leaves removed, as they will often regrow new stems from there. Instead, leave some of the top branches on for this reason.
Leaf propagation requires removing a leaf from the stem, then cutting it into little pieces that are placed in water.
When trying to get Hoya obovata seeds, the plant must be pollinated first. This process is usually done by insects such as bees and flies. Once they have been fertilized you can collect the seed pods that form on top of the flowers or wait for them to drop into your palm naturally (like I did).
The best way to store them is in a paper bag or envelope, not plastic. Keep the seeds moist and cool until you are ready to sow them. The first year of growth should be mostly spent just getting your plant established before blooming begins around its third or fourth year.
Hoya obovata care
Hoya obovata is a great plant for people just starting out with houseplants. It is one of the easiest and most rewarding things to grow, this plant requires very little care or attention once it’s established in its growing environment.
Light requirements
The hoya obovata will grow in low to medium light levels. The leaves are known to turn brown if exposed to too much direct sunlight or placed under extremely dark conditions, so keep this plant away from windows that receive full sun. If you have a window with bright but indirect sunlight, this is an excellent option for your houseplant needs.
Hoya obovata will do well when placed in bright, indirect, or filtered sunlight. Browning of the leaves is a symptom of too much sun exposure so keep this plant away from windows that receive full sun. If you have a window with bright but indirect light, it’s an excellent option for your houseplant needs.
Soil/potting mix
Hoya obovata will do well in peat-based potting soil. This plant is very adaptable and can be grown in any soilless mix, such as bark or coir (coconut fiber). If you wish to add fertilizer when repotting your hoya obovata into larger pots, use an organic fertilizer.
Watering
The hoya obovata is not a particularly thirsty plant and will do best when watered about once every week. Apply enough water to moisten the soil until it begins to drain from the bottom of the pot, then dump out any excess that remains in the saucer after ten minutes or so.
Do not over-water as this can lead to root rot or fungal issues. Water once a week until the soil is evenly moist, but not soggy, and water again after ten minutes if any excess remains in the saucer under the pot.
Fertilizer
The hoya obovata will benefit from an application of balanced, water-soluble fertilizer once every two months. Apply enough to moisten the soil until it begins to drain out the bottom of the pot and discard any excess in the saucer after ten minutes or so.
Do not over-fertilize as this can lead to root rot. Fertilize once every two months with a balanced organic fertilizer.
Temperature
The hoya obovata will do best when kept between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep this plant away from windows that receive cold drafts or direct air conditioning as it is not adapted to the low temperatures of a typical home during the winter months.
Hoya obovata should be grown in average room temperature conditions around 70°F, keep away from windows that receive cold drafts or direct air conditioning.
Humidity
The hoya obovata will do best in humid conditions, so if you can mist the plant’s leaves and surrounding area every day, that should be sufficient. If this is not possible, placing your houseplant on a tray of wet pebbles or gravel should help increase humidity around it.
Hoya obovata does well with high humidity; mist the leaves and surrounding area every day or place on a tray of wet pebbles or gravel. An ideal humidity range is 50-80%.
Pruning/shaping
Hoya obovata is a slow grower and will not need to be pruned unless you would like to control its size or shape it. However, if desired, the plant can be shaped by removing any dead leaves from the bottom of the stem as they occur. If your hoya obovata becomes too leggy, you can cut the stem back to a node (leaf scar) and it will branch out and produce new shoots.
Hoya obovata grows slowly, but if necessary prune away any dead leaves from the bottom of the stems as they occur; alternatively cut them down to a leaf scar which will lead to branching with new growth.
When to repot
Your hoya obovata should be repotted every one to two years. When you see roots growing out of the drainage holes, it’s time for a new pot with fresh soil.
Your plant needs to be transplanted and given larger pots every year or so as its root system starts growing out through drainage holes; transplant into fresh soil with a larger pot.
Dormancy
The hoya obovata is not a particularly sensitive plant and does not require dormancy. If you wish to force your houseplant into dormancy, keep it in cool temperatures around 50-55°F for two months or so before slowly transitioning back up to room temperature over the course of several weeks; once again, this step isn’t necessary.
Hoya obovata flowers & fragrance
The hoya obovata blooms in the spring and summer months. The flowers are waxy, star-shaped with a light fragrance that is similar to cloves or nutmeg.
They have white fragrant flowers in spring/summer; they resemble stars with a clove or nutmeg scent.
Growth rate
Hoya obovata is a slow-growing plant. In good conditions, it can grow up to one centimeter per year. If you want your hoya plants to get really big though, they may take over ten years just for the vines to reach three meters in length!
Toxicity
Hoya obovata is non-toxic for both humans and pets. The sap of the hoya plant can be extremely irritating to sensitive skin though, so make sure you wear gloves when handling them if your hands are more delicate than most (and always wash your hands after!).
USDA Hardiness Zones
Hoya obovata are generally hardy to USDA Zone 11. If you live in an area that doesn’t get any colder than this, then your hoyas should be fine outside during the summer months!
Pests and diseases
One of the more common pests and diseases to afflict hoya obovata is mealybugs. Mealybugs can be treated with a variety of different methods, including using commercially available insecticides or manually removing them by hand (make sure you wear gloves, or your skin might be sensitive).
If these insects become too much for you to deal with, you can also purchase an insect-eating gecko that will eat any mealybugs it finds.
Hoya obovata are generally pest and disease resistant though, so they shouldn’t be too difficult to keep alive as long as you have a green thumb!
FAQs
How tall will my hoya obovata get?
Hoya obovata can grow up to three meters in length. If you want them to stay small, the vines of a mature plant will be around one meter long when left completely untrimmed!
What is the best way to trim a hoya vine?
There are a variety of different ways to trim your hoya vines, but the best way is to cut them back by around half their length and then wait for new growth to appear.
What is the best way to water a hoya plant?
Hoya obovata should be watered whenever their soil has completely dried out. Make sure you don’t over-water them, as this can cause root rot and kill your vines!
Where will my hoya obovata do well?
As long as it has lots of sunlight and enough room to grow, your hoya obovata should be fine in any temperature zone.
What kind of soil does a hoya vine need?
Hoya vines will do best in rich, organic soils with plenty of nutrients for their roots to feed on. Organic compost is the best type you can provide your plant!
Conclusion
Hoya obovata are known for their interesting leaves and vines, but they don’t get too big so you can keep them in a small space if desired. They also have some pretty flowers which hang down from the end of the stems!
