How do you care for a Hoya obovata plant?

So you got a beautiful Hoya obovata with it's gorgeous thick oval leaves and....of course you don't want to kill it. We're here to help. Here's what you need to know to care for this wonderful indoor plant.

Hoya obovata are semi-succulent epiphytic plants - what does this mean?

Hoya obovata are semi-succulent plants with large oval green leaves (often with silver 'splash' patterns). The leaves are thick and they hold more water than your typical thin-leaved house plants - and other thinner-leafed Hoya - which is what makes them 'semi-succulent'. 

This also means they are great house plants if you are new to house plant parenting (or haven't had much luck in the past)! They are also epiphytic plants. This means they naturally pull nutrients and moisture from the air. Which means they will appreciate it if you mist them, or provide some humidity. 

Use the right soil for your Hoya 

To care for your Hoya obovata you want to make sure you have it potted in a soil mixture that is good for Hoya plants. You can mix potting soil with an orchid bark mix, or add pumice or perlite to potting soil. You want to make sure that the soil drains well. Hoya do not like to have soggy roots. 

Know when to water your Hoya

When it comes to watering, make sure the soil is dry to the touch between waterings. You do not want the soil to completely dry out, or for your Hoya obovata to go too long between waterings. You also don't want to overwater your Hoya, as there is danger of root rot if the Hoya roots are left in soggy soil for too long. If you are concerned about your soil mixture not draining well-enough, you can mix in some orchid bark, perlite or pumice to absorb some of the water and help the breathability of the soil. 

Hoya will need less water in the winter, when they are domant. This is especially true if you grow them outside. Indoor plants can be tricked into not recognizing seasons, due to the consistent lighting and temperature year-round. They will still need less water, make sure the soil is dry to the touch before watering.

Provide adequate light and circulation for you Hoya

Hoya need lots of bright light to bloom. Make sure your Hoya obovata is in a location that receives a lot of natural light (or is within the rays of a grow light). Hoya do not like a lot of direct sun. They naturally grow on tree trunks and under the canopies of leaves, where they receive dappled sunlight. 

Hoya also need adequate air circulation, so if you keep your Hoya indoors, a bright South-facing window is ideal. This will provide your Hoya with both the bright light and moving air that it requires. 

Caution: Do not place your Hoya too close to a fan or heat source, as this will dry it out too fast and take too much moisture away from your plant.