The waxflower (Hoya carnosa) is a wonderful climbing plant whose thick, waxy, fleshy leaves help it retain water. It’s a type of plant very similar to succulents, growing up to one meter tall and native to China and Japan.
Many people are drawn to this plant because of its leaves, which vary from one species to another. In some cases, it’s difficult to distinguish these plants from one another unless they’re in bloom.
As houseplants, they’re easy to maintain, long-lasting, and consistently bloom year after year. Below, we’ve listed the essential care for your waxflower.
Waxflower Care
Light
Most plants in this family cannot tolerate direct, intense light, and their leaves suffer from direct exposure.
This plant grows in woodlands, among trees and shrubs, and is therefore accustomed to receiving low, indirect light. This condition should be replicated at home.
Many botanical gardens and hoya growers grow this plant under a shade cloth that blocks 50-80% of direct sunlight.
Soil and Watering
The waxflower doesn’t require much space, being an epiphytic plant (i.e., a plant that lives on another plant, without feeding on it). It’s generally not necessary to transplant a hoya.
It’s a good idea, however, to change the soil every 2 or 3 years. Use terracotta pots, which are more porous and therefore more easily drain excess water from the soil.
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