Hoya pubicalyx is a eye catching plant that can be a great addition to small spaces! Here’s everything about growing it.
One of the reasons why the Hoya pubicalyx is so popular among plant enthusiasts is its ease of upkeep. It is a low-maintenance plant that can tolerate a wide range of growing requirements. Keep on reading to know all the details!
Love this one? You should check out Hoya Caudata Sumatra Care and Growing Information
Hoya Pubicalyx Information
Hoya pubicalyx is a native of the Philippines. It is a fast-growing, robust vine with glossy, oval to lanceolate leaves that grow along long, flexible stems. The leaves can vary in color, ranging from deep green to silver or even reddish, depending on light exposure and the specific variety.
The plant is a popular indoor ornamental plant due to its highly attractive foliage and beautiful, fragrant flowers. The flowers are typically star-shaped and come in clusters. They can range in color from white to pink to dark red, depending on the variety. The flowers often produce a sweet scent, particularly in the evening, and some varieties can produce a nectar drip.
Propagating Hoya Pubicalyx
Some of the best ways to propagate the plants are using Stem Cuttings, Leaf Cuttings, Air Layering and Seed Propagation. Hoya pubicalyx grows best using stem cuttings. Here’s how:
- Select a healthy vine on Hoya pubicalyx plant that has at least two to three nodes (the small bumps where leaves attach to the stem). Using your clean scissors or pruning shears, cut the vine just below a node. Each cutting should have one or two leaves.
- Remove the lower leaf near the cut end of your stem cutting. If you are using rooting hormone, dip the cut end of the stem into it. This step is optional but can help stimulate faster root development.
- Fill a pot with a well-draining potting mix. A mix of peat, perlite, and orchid bark can work well for Hoya. Make a hole in the potting mix with your finger, then insert the cut end of your stem cutting. Press the potting mix around the stem to ensure it stands upright. If you’ve taken multiple cuttings, you can place several in the same pot; just make sure the leaves aren’t touching.
- Water the potting mix thoroughly, then place the pot in a warm location with bright, indirect light. You want to keep the potting mix slightly moist but not soggy, as this can cause the cutting to rot.
- Hoyas like high humidity, so it can be helpful to increase humidity around your cuttings, especially in dryer environments. One way to do this is to cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or wrap plastic wrap around the pot and up the stakes, creating a mini greenhouse.
- Over the next few weeks, keep an eye on your cuttings. Keep the potting mix slightly moist and watch for signs of new growth. Be patient—root development can take a few weeks to a couple of months.
- Once Hoya pubicalyx cuttings have developed a robust root system and are showing new growth, you can transplant them into a larger pot if desired.
Requirements for Growing Hoya pubicalyx
Sunlight
Hoya pubicalyx thrives in bright, indirect sunlight for 5-6 hours every day. It can also tolerate low light conditions, but this may affect its growth and flowering.
Direct sunlight can cause its leaves to scorch and turn yellow. Therefore, it is best to place the plant near a window that receives filtered sunlight.
Soil
Hoya pubicalyx, like most Hoya species, prefers well-draining soil. They’re epiphytic plants in their natural habitats, meaning they grow on trees or other plants and get their nutrients from the air, rain, and debris around them.
To create a homemade growing mix for your Hoya pubicalyx, you can use a combination of several different materials. Here’s a simple recipe:
- 1 Part Orchid Bark or Coconut Husk Chips: These add great drainage and mimic the organic material Hoyas would grow on in their natural habitat.
- 1 Part Perlite or Pumice: These materials improve drainage and aeration.
- 1 Part Peat Moss or Coco Coir: These retain some moisture while still allowing good air circulation.
Remember, the proportions can be adjusted depending on the specific conditions in your home. If your environment is very dry, you may want a bit more peat or coco coir to retain moisture. If it’s humid or your plant is prone to overwatering, add more perlite or bark to improve drainage.
Watering
Before you water your Hoya pubicalyx, always check the soil first. The top inch or so should be dry to the touch. Hoya pubicalyx, like most Hoyas, doesn’t like to have its roots constantly wet.
A good rule of thumb is to let the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out between waterings.
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for Hoya pubicalyx is between 60°F (15°C) and 85°F (29°C). It can tolerate temperatures slightly outside this range but will suffer in prolonged cold or excessively hot conditions.
If the temperature drops below 50°F (10°C), the plant may enter dormancy or, in extreme cases, suffer cold damage. Keep your Hoya pubicalyx indoors in a bright location, away from drafts, during the colder months if you live in a region with cold winters.
Hoya pubicalyx prefers high humidity, ideally above 60%. However, it can adapt to lower humidity levels down to about 40%. If your home is dry, especially during winter when indoor air tends to be drier, you can increase humidity around the plant.
Methods to increase humidity include using a pebble tray filled with water under the plant, misting the plant regularly, or using a humidifier.
Hoya Pubicalyx Care
Fertilization
Hoya pubicalyx does not require frequent fertilization, but it can benefit from occasional feedings during the growing season. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer and apply it every 4-6 weeks, after diluting it to 1/2 of its strength.
Avoid over-fertilizing and feeding in winter, as this can lead to burning and damage to the plant.
Pests and Diseases
- Mealybugs: These small white insects feed on the sap of Hoya pubicalyx and can cause stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and a sticky residue on the plant. However, you can wipe them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or use an insecticidal soap.
- Spider mites: These tiny insects are difficult to see with the naked eye, but they can cause yellowing leaves, webbing, and eventually death of Hoya pubicalyx. This can be treated by using a solution of water and dish soap or an insecticidal spray.
- Scale insects: These pests look like small brown or black bumps on the leaves and stems of the plant. To treat scale insects, you can use rubbing alcohol or an insecticidal spray.
- Root rot: This is a common problem if the soil is kept too wet. To prevent root rot, make sure the soil is well-draining and that the plant is not overwatered.
- Leaf spot: This is a fungal disease that can cause brown spots on the leaves of the plant. To treat leaf spots, you can remove the affected leaves and improve air circulation around the plant.
Best Hoya Pubicalyx Varieties
1. Hoya pubicalyx ‘Pink Silver’
This variety has dark green leaves speckled with silver. The flowers are usually dark pink and have a lovely fragrance.
2. Hoya pubicalyx ‘Red Buttons’
This variety is named for its striking red flowers. The leaves are deep green, providing a beautiful contrast with the red blooms.
3. Hoya pubicalyx ‘Black Dragon’
Also known as ‘Royal Hawaiian Purple,’ this variety is known for its deep purple, almost black, flowers. The leaves are glossy and dark green.
4. Hoya pubicalyx ‘Splash’
This variety has dark green leaves that are heavily speckled with silver or white splashes. The flowers are usually pink or red.
5. Hoya pubicalyx ‘White Dragon’
This variety is similar to ‘Black Dragon,’ but it has stunning white flowers with pink centers.
6. Hoya pubicalyx ‘Silver Pink’
This variety has silver-speckled leaves with pink flowers that darken as they age.
7. Hoya pubicalyx ‘Bright One’
This variety is known for its vibrant, bright pink flowers and dark green, glossy leaves.
Remember that Hoya pubicalyx is a diverse species, and there are many more beautiful varieties out there, although we have mentioned THE BEST ones here. The exact color of the flowers can vary depending on the growing conditions, so the same variety may look slightly different in different environments.
