Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:08 pm
Hoya Pachyclada is an unusual and beautiful Hoya. It has a delicate, waxy texture that you will find on many Hoya plants. Hoya Pachyclada is also called the “Hairy-stemmed Hoya” because of its hairy stem, which it uses for clinging to cliffs in its natural habitat.
This hoya is a rare and unusual hoya plant. It grows in the form of a tree, with many stems that can grow to be over 3 meters tall! This Hoya does not flower often, but when it does, it produces an incredible display of flowers. The Hoya Pachyclada was discovered by Mr. Otley in 1866 and is native only to the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines.
Hoyas were first introduced to North America from Asia during the 1800s as houseplants for Victorian houses. Hoyas are part of the Apocynaceae plant family which includes plants such as dogbane or milkweed.
The plant is not like any other Hoya that you will find. Hoya Pachyclada, also known as the club moss Hoya, is a species of Hoya that can be found in Japan and Taiwan. Unlike most Hoyas which are epiphytes, this one is lithophytic- meaning it grows on rocks or soil around waterfalls.
Hoya Pachyclada has beautiful foliage with glossy green leaves measuring up to 2 inches long with white edges and purple veins. This unusual species produces racemes of small yellow flowers from July through September!
Origin and descriptions
Hoyas are known for their thick velvety leaves and bright flowers, but not all have the same color or size as Hoya Pachyclada. This one has a greenish-white flower with brown spots that can reach up to two inches in diameter. The plant itself grows to be about four inches wide. The leaves are thick and can grow up to six inches long, but they will only reach their full height if the conditions are just right.
Hoya Pachyclada is originally from Indonesia where it grows in humid forests at an elevation of five thousand feet or less. It needs high humidity around eighty percent with warm conditions around seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit. The soil should have some sand or clay, but it must drain well so the roots don’t rot.
Hoya Pachyclada can be grown indoors if it’s put in a pot that is at least three inches deep while containing acidic compost with good drainage for optimal health of the plant. The plant will grow to about three feet tall if it is grown in optimal conditions.
Hoya pachyclada propagation
Hoya pachyclada is easy to propagate from tip cuttings. This plant features a large number of leaves, and those leaves can be used as part of the cutting during propagation. The propagation process does not take long because it only takes about two weeks for roots to develop on the stems after they have been placed in moist soil or water.
Hoya pachyclada is a great plant for propagation because it also forms very sturdy stems from which new plants can be grown. New growths will occur at the ends of these branches, and if they are allowed to grow, then they will become separate plants that can be transplanted into their own pots.
Hoya pachyclada care
Hoya Pachyclada is a climbing vine with large leaves and clusters of white flowers. It requires high humidity to thrive, as well as support such as growing it on a trellis or hanging basket.
Light requirements
Hoya Pachyclada can be grown indoors with low or moderate light. It is not a plant that does well in direct sunlight, so you may want to place it closer to the window rather than right next to it if it will receive bright sun at any point during the day.
It is a shade plant. It will be happy in bright indirect light, but avoid direct sunlight as it will fade the leaves and cause them to lose their shape as well.
Soil/potting mix
Hoya Pachyclada will do well in a wide range of potting mixes. The most important thing is that it doesn’t like wet feet, so water sparingly and allow the soil to dry out between each watering. Use an airy hanging basket or dish garden where excess water can drain away from the roots easily.
Watering
Hoya Pachyclada is very sensitive to watering. It needs only light misting or it will rot, but also must be kept moist at all times.
Very little water should be given to the plant as it can easily get root rot if too much moisture is provided for the plant. Water once a week by lightly misting the leaves.
Fertilizing
Hoya Pachyclada can be fertilized once a month during the spring and summer, but only needs to be fed every six weeks or so in winter.
Fertilize your plant between April and September with an indoor plant fertilizer mixed at half strength if you wish to encourage growth. Watering may need to be increased during this time as well.
During the winter, it’s best to not fertilize at all or very sparingly with a weak solution of indoor plant fertilizer once every six weeks or so.
Temperature
Hoya pachyclada will be perfectly happy at normal room temperature as long as it’s not too dry with adequate humidity levels. Avoid allowing this plant to sit directly on cold floors and drafts. The ideal temperature range is between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Misting regularly is also ideal if the air becomes too dry for this plant’s liking, but do not allow it to sit directly on cold floors.
Humidity
Hoya Pachyclada will be happy with normal room humidity levels and does not need to be misted regularly.
The ideal humidity level for this plant is between 40-50%. It can tolerate low or high levels of humidity, but too much moisture may cause the leaves to rot.
Pruning
Hoya Pachyclada sends out a lot of long, stringy aerial roots. While they look pretty and help the plant cling to its support, these can be cut off as soon as you notice them if they are causing problems for your arrangement or hanging basket.
Pruning Hoya pachyclada is very easy. Just snip off any aerial roots that are strangling the plant or causing problems for your arrangement with sharp, clean scissors.
When to repot
Hoya Pachyclada plant should be repotted every two to three years in a well-draining potting mix.
It’s best for Hoya pachylcada to be transplanted into larger pots or hanging baskets after about one year, but only needs to be done if the roots are growing out of the drainage holes or the plant is obviously struggling in its current pot. It’s best to use a well-draining soil mix for this type of hoya, but make sure it never dries out completely between waterings.
Flowers & Fragrance
Hoya Pachyclada is known for its unusual, waxy flowers.
Flowers are Hoya pachylcada’s most attractive feature besides their interesting shape and texture. They can range in color from white to yellowish-green or even pink with red speckles depending on the variety of hoya that you have. These flowers are one of the reasons why the plant is sometimes called “the wax plant.”
Growth rate
Hoya Pachyclada is a slow-growing plant that only reaches about six inches in height.
Growth rate can vary with this plant depending on the lighting, humidity levels and soil conditions its being grown under. Under optimal conditions, this hoya can grow up to 12 inches per year for some varieties and about six inches per year for other varieties.
Toxicity
All parts of Hoya Pachyclada are poisonous if ingested.
If you have pets or children, it’s best to be cautious when growing this plant as all parts of this plant are toxic and can cause serious harm if ingested. The leaves especially contain toxins that act like poison ivy so make sure your pet or child isn’t likely to chew on the leaves or anything else around your plants.
Hoya pachyclada is one of many species in the hoyas genus that contains toxins so be sure pets and children won’t ingest any part of it before growing this plant near them.
USDA Hardiness Zones
The Hoya pachylcada plant is a tropical, evergreen shrub that can only be grown outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hardiness Zones 11 and 12. If you live outside of these zones, it’s best to keep the plant indoors.
Pests and diseases
There aren’t many problems that can occur with Hoya pachylcada unless you try to grow it in too warm or cold of an environment. It’s hardy against most bugs and plant diseases, but may be susceptible to root rot if the soil doesn’t drain well.
FAQs
What is the best way to water Hoya Pachyclada?
It’s important not to let this type of hoya dry out, but it needs to drain well and shouldn’t sit in soggy soil. Be sure your plant has good drainage before watering thoroughly until water comes through the bottom of its container or drain holes. It’s best to avoid using softened water for this type of hoya as it contains too much sodium that can harm the roots.
How do I propagate Hoya Pachyclada?
To start new cuttings, snip off a small piece of healthy stem with at least one leaf and plant in a well-draining soil mix after removing all of the leaves except for one or two. Make sure to water it regularly until new roots form and then you can begin watering less often as needed.
When should I prune Hoya Pachyclada?
It’s usually best not to prune hoyas unless you need to remove a large dead or damaged stem. If you do prune it, make sure you only cut off about one-third of the plant at most and avoid cutting into old wood as this can harm your hoya’s health.
Conclusion
Hoya pachyclada is a beautiful, unusual species of hoya that any collector would be proud to own. They’re not difficult plants for the most part and they make excellent windowsill or houseplants indoors in bright shade locations where humidity can be controlled. In nature, Hoya pachyclada grows on rocks and cliffs and they like it hot, humid, and dry.
