How to Grow Hoya Curtisii Indoors | Hoya Curtisii Care
Hoya curtisii thrives on neglect and is a great plant for indoor spaces. Learn how to grow Hoya curtisii indoors in a cinch!
Hoya curtisii is small compared to other hoya cultivars, which makes it an excellent choice for indoor spaces. Spade-shaped leaves splashed with silver add drama to the living room and office spaces. You can grow this trailing plant in containers or hanging baskets for that cascading effect. It’s easy to care for houseplant and a perfect choice for novice gardeners. Without further ado, here is how to grow hoya curtisii indoors!
Check out this post on How to grow Hoya Krimson Queen!
How to Grow Hoya Curtisii Indoors
Hoya curtisii is an easy-to-care-for houseplant that requires minimal care. Indoors locate it at a spot where it receives bright indirect light. Water thoroughly and allow the soil to dry out a couple of inches before watering again. As hoyas have aerial roots, a well-draining growing medium consisting of perlite or pumice works best.
Propagate Hoya Curtisii
Propagating hoya curtisii is pretty straightforward from stem cuttings. The ideal time to propagate hoya curtisii is in the spring and summer. Here is the step-by-step tutorial on propagating hoya curtisii from stem cuttings.
- Using sharp and sterilized shears or scissors, take 2-6 inches long cutting just below the node.
- Remove leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and plant in sphagnum moss or well-draining mix.
- Keep the growing medium moist and locate it at a warm spot with access to bright indirect light.
- Roots will start to grow within a week, after which you can transplant the cutting and continue growing in the same pot.
- Congratulations on the successful propagation of Hoya curtisii.
TIP: Dipping the cutting in rooting hormone before planting will speed up the rooting process!
Propagate Hoya curtisii In water: Follow the same steps as mentioned above but instead of planting the cutting in the growing medium, put it in a jar filled with water. Go for a transparent jar, as you can see the roots growing. Change the water every couple of days, and soon roots will starts to grow. Transplant cutting to the growing medium once the roots are a couple of inches long.
Choosing the Container
Pot can be ceramic, plastic, or any other material provided it has drainage holes at the bottom. Initially, you can start cutting in 4-8 inch pot size or continue to grow in the pot you got the Hoya. Hoyas like to remain somewhat pot-bound, so frequent repotting isn’t necessary. Also, when you repot, go for a pot that’s not more than one size large than the previous pot.
Location
Locate your Hoya curtisii at a spot where it receives bright indirect light. It can be near a well-lit window, balcony, or any corner of your home or office. A few hours of direct morning sun won’t hurt hoyas either. Invest in a grow light if there is no bright light in the indoor space.
NOTE: Hoya curtisii flowers only when it has access to direct light, which seems unlikely indoors.
Soil
Epiphyte hoyas, including hoya curtisii, require potting mix with excellent drainage. Go for a potting mix designed for cacti or succulents. Alternatively, you can amend the houseplant mix with pumice or perlite to improve drainage.
Watering
Hoyas are drought-tolerant and can survive even if the soil dries out completely. Ideally, allow the soil to dry out 2-3 inches from the surface before watering. Water thoroughly, allowing the excess water to drain completely from the drainage holes at the bottom. Remember, it’s better to water less than more when unsure!
NOTE: Yellowing or droopy foliage is the telltale sign of overwatering. Cut back watering in such cases!
Temperature and Humidity
Hailing from the tropicals, hoya curtisii does well in warm regions and won’t fare well in the cold, making it ideal for indoor spaces. The ideal temperature ranges from 60 to 85 degrees F. Normal humidity levels above 50 percent are suitable indoors but the higher the humidity, the better. Locate it near a sunny window in the bathroom or kitchen and see it thriving. In dry conditions, mist around the plant or invest in a humidifier!
Hoya curtisii Care Indoors
Pruning
Pruning isn’t necessary and is a matter of personal preference to keep the trailing vines to the desired length! Prune from the ends using shears or scissors to give it a fuller look. Also, cut back any yellowing or decaying foliage or parts of stems to redirect energy toward healthy growth.
Fertilizer
Fertilizing isn’t necessary but will boost growth in the growing season, spring and summer. Go for a well-balanced organic houseplant fertilizer and apply it once or twice a month. Hoyas are slow growers, so do not overdo fertilization, thinking that plant isn’t growing fast enough.
Pest and Diseases
In the indoor space, you’ll hardly find any pests causing damage to the hoyas. Still, if some common garden pests, such as aphids, mites, or mealybugs, make their way to the hoyas, you can eliminate them easily. Spray neem oil solution over the foliage to eliminate these pesky creatures.
Root rot caused due to overwatering can be fatal to hoya curtisii, so avoid overwatering. It’s a compact plant with foliage growing very close that can invite fungal diseases. Good air circulation and watering at the base without wetting leaves keeps leaf fungus at bay.
Hoya curtisii Toxicity
Hoyas, including hoya curtisii is non-toxic and safe to keep around pets!
