Hoya Krimson Queen Care and Growing Tips | Hoya Krimson Grow Guide
Want to grow Hoya Krimson Queen? This grow guide has all the answers! One of the easiest indoor houseplants to grow Hoya Krimson Queen is a variegated version of Hoya Carnosa.
Hoya Krimson Queen creates instant drama with the stunning variegation of creamy white to pink at the edges. It’s a variegated variety of the more popular Hoya carnosa and thus also known as the wax plant. Although it takes some time for Hoya krimson queen to flower, it steals the show once it does. Clusters of tiny star-shaped flowers are waxy, fragrant, and look surreal. This vining houseplant looks excellent in both hanging baskets and containers. In this post, we’ll discuss how you can Grow Hoya Krimson Queen and its care requirements.
How to Grow Hoya Crimson Queen
Locate the plant at a spot that receives bright indirect light; it can be a windowsill or a well-lit balcony. Potting medium must be well-draining and rich in organic matter. Water once or twice a week when the soil is dry two inches below the surface. Fertilize using a well-balanced fertilizer diluted half to its strength once or twice a month in the growing season.
Propagating Hoya Krimson Queen
The easiest way to propagate Hoya Krimson Queen is from stem cuttings. The growing period, the summers and springs, is the best time to propagate as it roots sooner in this period. Here is how you can propagate Hoya krimson queen.
- Take the cutting from the healthy stem that’s not too woody using a sharp and sterilized tool.
- Make sure to make a diagonal cut just below the node and dip it in the rooting hormone as it facilitates rooting.
- Plant the cutting in the rooting medium of your choice that can be water, spaghnum moss, or soil-based potting medium.
- Locate the cutting at a warm and humid spot where it receives bright indirect light.
- It takes anywhere from a couple of weeks to a month for the cutting to fully develop roots.
- Replant the cutting in the pot once the roots are a couple of inches long. That’s it; you now own a new baby Hoya Krimson Queen plant.
Choosing the Container
Terracotta pots are ideal for planting Hoya krimson queen, but plastic pots will also do the job. Initially, go with the pot 6 to 8 inches deep and wide and later move to a larger pot as the plant matures. Drainage holes must be present at the bottom of the pot to drain off excess water.
Repotting
Repot the Hoya krimson when it becomes root bound into a pot that’s one or two sizes large. Spring and summer are the most suitable seasons for repotting! Change the potting medium during repotting to replenish the nutrients.
Location
For optimum growth, locate the plant at a spot that receives bright indirect or bright filtered light. You can place the pot near East or South-facing as they provide the most light. It can tolerate some level of shade, but prolonged periods of low lighting conditions will cause the leaves to lose variegation and vigor.
Soil
A good quality houseplant mix that’s well-draining and contains some organic matter is well-suited for growing Hoya Krimson Queen. Make your potting mix by mixing equal amounts of peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite. Do not use garden soil as it becomes compact after watering and can be contaminated.
Watering
It’s forgiving when it comes to less watering as the thick leaves have traits resembling succulents, thus storing water. Depending on the weather, watering once or twice a week will suffice. Check that the soil is dry a couple of inches below the surface before watering to prevent overwatering. Keep in mind with Hoya Krimson Queen; less is more.
Hoya Krimson Queen Care
Temperature and Humidity
Hoya Karnosa Queen belongs to the subtropical regions, so it’s no wonder it likes to reside in warm and humid conditions. Average room temperatures ranging from 60 to 85 degrees F are ideal for growth. In colder regions where the temperature falls below 55 degrees F, bring it indoors and protect it from cold drafts of wind. Raise humidity levels by misting or placing a pebble tray filled with water near the base of the plant.
Pruning
Cut back the dead, decaying, and yellowing parts of the plant every once in a while. Pruning the tips and side shoots keeps the plant contained while promoting new growth. You can use the pruned cuttings to propagate new baby hoya krimson. Avoid pruning in winters!
Fertilizer
Although fertilizing isn’t necessary, it can aid growth, especially in the growing season. Use a well-balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted half to its strength once or twice a month. Do not fertilize in winters.
Pests and Diseases
Beware of common garden pests such as mealybugs, fungus gnats, aphids, and mites. Misting the plant with neem oil or soap solution will eliminate these pesky creatures in no time. Avoid overwatering and use sticky stakes to keep fungus gnats in check. Root rot is another ailment that occurs due to overwatering.