Hoya retusa aka Grass Leaved Hoya

Taxonomy

Hoya retusa, also known as the grass Hoya, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Hoya native to India and the eastern Himalayas. This easy-to-care-for plant is an epiphyte and grows in a trailing habit, making it a perfect choice as a trailing plant in a hanging basket. Its flat, narrow foliage is succulent and gives it a distinctive appearance, quite unlike other hoyas. The plant's specific epithet retusa refers to the shape, with retuse meaning it has a rounded leaf apex with a notch. It produces small, star-shaped white flowers between its leaves. With over 500 species and even more cultivars, there's a Hoya out there for everyone! They're native to Southeast Asia and their common name, waxplant, refers to their thick, waxy leaves which help them retain water in the heat. They're excellent climbers and will take off if you give them a trellis to grow on. So, if you're looking for an indestructible and low-maintenance plant that adds a touch of unique beauty to your home or office, Hoya retusa is the perfect choice.

Common names

Grass Leaved Hoya, Grass Leafed Hoya

How to care for Grass Leaved Hoya

Difficulty

Caring for Grass Leaved Hoya is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Grass Leaved Hoya does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

Soil

Grass Leaved Hoya 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 Grass Leaved Hoya prefers bright indirect 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

A standard dormancy pattern is absent in the Grass Leaved Hoya. If the growth slows down noticeably, make sure that adequate sunlight and water are provided to support the plant's growth.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Humidity

No extra humidity is necessary for the Grass Leaved Hoya. Absorption of water by plants is primarily done through their roots, and soil watering is the most effective method to provide humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Grass Leaved Hoya should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Grass Leaved Hoya’s native range is Southeast Asia and Australia.


More info:
Wikipedia