Hoya carnosa aka Honeyplant

Taxonomy

Hoya carnosa, also known as the porcelain flower or wax plant, is an unpretentious houseplant from the Apocynaceae family's Hoya genus. It has been in cultivation for more than 200 years, and has even been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. This succulent species is commonly found in humid subtropical forests and features woody, climbing stems and oval, fleshy, dark green leaves. In summer and autumn, the plant produces a unique sweetly scented flower that is star-shaped and resembles wax or porcelain. These quirky yet charming flowers come in bright shades of red, yellow, and pink, and Hoya carnosa is an excellent choice for home gardens as it is unpretentious and thrives in pots and hanging baskets.

Common names

Honeyplant, Waxplant, Hindu Rope

How to care for Honeyplant

Difficulty

Honeyplant is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal attention, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Water

Honeyplant does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

Soil

Honeyplant loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Honeyplant prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Honeyplant to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

Cat approves this plant

Toxicity

Honeyplant is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.

Humidity

The Honeyplant is not in need of supplementary humidity. Most water is taken in by plants through their roots, thus soil watering is the most efficient way to provide humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

The Honeyplant should be repotted either when it doubles in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing new potting soil with all the vital nutrients annually is enough to support the growth of the plant, and thus, there is no need for fertilizer. Remember that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Honeyplant’s native range is Southeast Asia and Australia.

Flower

If you provide your Honeyplant with adequate amounts of sunlight and water, it will bloom.


More info:
Wikipedia