Blog Hoya Pubicalyx Care Guide

Guest Post: Hoya Publicalyx Care Guide

How to Take Care of Hoya Publicalyx Properly

Summary

About The Hoya Genus

There are about 300 species of Hoyas. Many are native to Asia, Indonesia, Australia, and Polynesia with a few that are native to the Philippines.

What's so special about Hoyas?

It is because all Hoya plants have thick waxy leaves. This means they thrive in warm climates where there is no cold weather to damage their leaves or stems. These thick waxy leaves protect the plant from hot, dry conditions.

Flowers are very beautiful, often colorful. They are also used to make Hoya carnosa hybrids, which are very popular in homes and offices due to their beauty and fragrance.

Hoyas are easy to maintain in a garden or in an office space - they need very little maintenance because you don't need to water them as often as other plants.

Hoya care is mostly about temperature and humidity levels.

Here are some types of Hoya that will look great at your home or office:

  • Hoya angustifolia
  • Hoya australis
  • Hoya carnosa
  • Hoya pubicalyx
  • Hoya siamica
  • Hoya kerrii
  • Hoya pubicalyx
  • Hoya obovata
  • Hoya compacta

I have introduced you to the world of Hoyas - it is now time to learn about Hoya publicalyx. You should stick with this guide for best results, but remember that every Hoya plant is different - sometimes a particular species will behave differently from the rest. If your plant thrives, congratulations! Otherwise, read on to find more about how to care about our Hoya Publicalyx.

Source: Oprah_rynfrey on Greg

About Hoya Publicalyx Plant

Hoya publicalyx plant is native to Japan, China, and the Philippines. This plant belongs to the Asclepiadaceae family (sweet potato vine). Its genus name Hoya means "grows like a weed". The species name Publicalyx comes from Latin words pubes ("down") + calyx ("leaf"), so it means with soft hairs.

Hoya publicalyx is a perennial evergreen vine, climbing by twining stems. This plant has a square stem with light greyish color, up to 1-inch in diameter. Leaves are thick but tender to leave quite some space between each other on the stem of this plant. 

  • Scientific name: Hoya publicalyx 'Minima'
  • Common name: Miniature Hoya, Queen of the night.
  • Genus: Hoya
  • Family: Asclepiadaceae (Greek name)
  • Origin: Philippines
  • Habitat: Southeast Asia. Nepal to Southern China, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
  • Growth height: up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall. The leaves are narrow, pointed, and form an almost perfect circle with a diameter of about 1.5 - 2 inches (4-5 cm). 
  • Color of flowers: White, nocturnal blooms. Opening up in the evening and lasting until morning. 
  • Growth rate: Slow-growing
  • Hardiness zone: 9 – 11.
  • Growth habit: An epiphytic vine with thick, waxy leaves that forms clusters along the leaf stems.
  • Toxicity: The milky sap may cause mild skin irritations.
  • Climate: Prefers warm (55-80°F or 13-27°C), but not too hot weather.
  • Where to get it: You can get your plant from a specialized store or buy it online.

At first, the leaves of the Hoya publicalyx plant are green and soft. But as the plant matures, leaves become darker and harder. At the peak of its maturity (usually at 2-3 years after it grows from cutting), this plant blooms beautiful flowers that look like small lanterns. The flowers have five white petals that form a trumpet-like shape, with a red center where the reproductive parts are. The flowers emit a sweet fragrant smell (similar to coconut) that can be smelled up to 20 feet away!

Source: Suzhiheng on Greg

Hoya publicalyx plant is sensitive to extreme cold or hot temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or above 95 degrees Fahrenheit. If it doesn't receive a suitable temperature, it will drop all of its leaves to protect itself.

What's the Best Way to Grow Your Hoya publicalyx Plant?

Tips to keep your Hoya publicalyx plant in a healthy condition:

  • Keep this plant in humid and well-drained soil (so it doesn't rot)
  • Keep it in a bright and shady area
  • Don't overwater the plant.
  • You can water this plant once a week
  • Keep an eye for pests
  • You can use a mixture of peat moss and leaf mold to make the soil mix for your Hoya publicalyx plant
  • Don't add fertilizer to the soil.

Comprehensive Care Guide for Hoya publicalyx (Porcelain Flower Plant)

Sunlight Requirements for Porcelain Flower Plant

Hoya publicalyx plant needs indirect bright light, but it doesn't do well in direct sunlight. If you keep your Hoya publicalyx plant next to a window that receives a few hours of morning/afternoon sun - it will be just fine. For flowering, it's best to keep your plant in bright and indirect light.

What Temperature is Best for Hoya publicalyx?

Hoya publicalyx plant likes warm temperature (55-80°F or 13-27°C), but it doesn't do well in extreme cold or hot temperatures. Protect your plant from frost and extreme heat. 

How Much Humidity is Enough for Hoya publicalyx?

Hoya publicalyx plant needs humidity to grow well. You can use a humidifier or spray your plant with water 1-2 times per week. Optimal humidity is around 40% - 70%. You can increase humidity for your plant by surrounding it with a pebble tray.

Hoya publicalyx plant likes humidity, but it doesn't like moist soil (especially when the leaves start drooping). This plant is native to Indonesia and Malaysia where there is a lot of moisture in the air. If you keep your flower plant next to a humidifier - it will be just fine.

How Often Should you Water Hoya publicalyx?

Hoya publicalyx plant doesn't need frequent watering. Keep the soil slightly moist at all times, but don't overwater your plant because it might result in root rot. Hoya publicalyx plant needs water when the soil is dry to touch.

If your leaves are falling off or turning brown there's a chance that it isn't getting enough water. You can water your plant once a week in the spring and summertime, but reduce watering in fall and winter.

What is The Best Pot for Hoya publicalyx?

The porcelain flower plant tolerates different kinds of pots. But it's better to use clay or plastic pot with drainage holes on the bottom. Also, it would be a good idea to use potting

Best Soil Mix for Porcelain Flower Plant 

Hoya publicalyx plant needs well-drained soil which is neither too compact nor too loose; it should be well aerated. It's enough to use general peat moss and leaf mold mixture ( 2:1 ratio) to make the soil mix for your Porcelain Flower Plant. 

Hoya publicalyx plant needs soil that's slightly acidic (pH: 5.5 - 7). If you are not sure about the pH of your soil, you can buy a pH testing kit at any garden center or use a pH testing app on your phone.

Fertilizing your Hoya publicalyx Plant

Hoya publicalyx (and all other hoyas) doesn't need fertilizer. Because this plant contains some amount of nutrients, it can fertilize itself by absorbing some elements from the soil and air. You don't have to use any supplements or liquid fertilizer if your soil mix for Hoya Publicalyx plant is right.

How Often to Prune Porcelain Flower Plant

Hoya publicalyx plant doesn't need a lot of pruning to maintain its shape, but you can cut off dead or dying leaves and stems to keep your plant healthy. 

Repotting Hoya publicalyx Plant

Repot your Hoya publicalyx plant every 2-3 years or whenever it starts putting out roots through drainage holes. Choose a pot that has a similar diameter and is one size larger than the old pot. You can use general peat moss for repotting your Hoya publicalyx plant.

Propagation of Hoya publicalyx through steps:

Your Hoya publicalyx plant can be propagated through stem cuttings or simple leaf cuttings. If you want to make a "volunteer" vine, simply let one of your vines grow long enough so that it touches the soil, then put some rooting hormone on the lower end of its stem and cover it with a plastic bag. Leave it for a couple of weeks, then cut the vine into inch-long segments and plant them in your pot.

  1. Hoya publicalyx plant propagated through leaf cuttings will take about 2-3 months to produce roots and another 3-4 months to grow strong enough to be transplanted.
  2. Hoya publicalyx plant propagated through stem cuttings (or vining method) will take about 6 months to produce roots and another few months to be in a good transplanting condition.

You can also propagate your Hoya publicalyx by using rooting hormone, but it's not necessary. If you don't want to use chemicals, simply leave a long vine laying on the soil and cover it with a plastic bag for about 3-5 weeks.

Hoya publicalyx (Porcelain Flower Plant) Pests and Diseases

Hoya publicalyx plant is pretty tough and you don't have to worry about most hoya diseases. Sometimes hoyas are bothered by mealybugs, aphids, or spider mites. If your plant is covered with small cottony-looking patches, it's probably an Indianmeal Moth Larvae. You can wash this off with soapy water and put your plant outside in the sun for a few hours. You can use any pesticides or chemicals, but it's better to be sure you're not going to kill the bees and butterflies who will pollinate your Hoya.

Source: Reddit

Frequently Asked Questions about Hoya publicalyx.

What is the Best Soil for Hoyas?

Hoyas don't need special kinds of soil, they grow in a wide range of soils from sand to clay and acidic to alkaline. I think that you can use a general potting soil mix for your Porcelain Flower Plant.

What if the Leaves are Turning Yellow?

If new leaves are turning yellow, it can mean a few different things. Yellow leaves on hoya plants are most often related to temperature, sunlight, or water conditions. If your plant is growing in direct sunlight and the temperature is below 50 degrees F., the ends of the leaves may become brown or turn yellow, so take your plant out of the full sun if possible. The other option is to increase the humidity around your plant or put it in a place where it's shaded from direct sun. If you are growing your hoya plant in lower light conditions, the leaves may be yellow as well.

What to do if roots start to grow through the drainage hole?

When your roots start to grow through the drainage hole, you should transplant your hoya plant. Your Hoya will do best if it's root-bound. If this is not possible, you can leave it in its original container until an ideal time for repotting.

Why my Hoya publicalyx doesn't flower?

If you are growing your Porcelain Flower Plant in direct sunlight, it may be getting too much light. You can move your hoya plant into a room with indirect sunlight or another place where there is less sun. If this doesn't work, try putting it outside.

What should I do if my hoya publicalyx leaves are turning brown?

If your leaves are turning brown, you need to analyze how much sunlight and water your plant is getting. If the ends of the leaves are brown and dry, it might mean that your plant is getting too much sun or not enough water. Try moving your hoya plant into a shadier spot or adding some humidity around it.

Final Words

Your Hoya publicalyx will grow and flower fine with just a little bit of love and care. Just follow these simple steps and you'll be growing your very own thriving Hoyas in no time!