If you’ve ever seen a hoya plant, you know how gorgeous its shiny foliage and star-shaped leaves are. They’re an attractive option for beginners and seasoned plant owners, as they come in numerous varieties with varying care requirements.
Propagation is a rewarding part of caring for those houseplants. It’s a helpful practice for rejuvenating older plants and expanding your plant collection.
In this article, we will give you a simple, step-by-step guide on how to propagate Hoya plants. Read on!
About Hoya plants
Hoya plants come in tens of varieties – some of the most popular ones are Hoya carnosa, Hoya compacta, and Hoya pubicalyx. While some varieties require more care and attention, there’s something for everyone. Whichever hoya plant you’ve opted for, they’re all known for their gorgeous star-shaped flowers and thick, shiny foliage. Thanks to their long vines and trailing habits, they make stunning hanging baskets.
Propagating those plants is a common practice as it lets the owners expand their hoya collection and witness their growth from a small cutting into a new adult plant.
How to propagate hoya plants – step-by-step guide
There are several methods for propagating hoyas. Whichever method you use, always use clean tools and check your parent plant for any signs of pests or diseases before propagating it. The most common way for cloning hoyas is through stem cuttings.
Cloning hoyas through stem cuttings
- Locate a healthy stem on the parent plant. It should have a few nodes and several leaves on it.
- Cut the stem just below a node.
- Remove the leaves from the lower part of the plant.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone if using any.
- Place the cutting in water or well-drained soil. Ensure that at least one node emerges in the water or soil -the leaves should be above the surface.
- Provide the cutting with a humid and warm environment, and allow it to get indirect sunlight.
- You should see roots developing in a few weeks to months.
Cloning hoyas through leaf cuttings
Propagating hoyas through leaf cuttings doesn’t have a high success rate. But it’s worth a try if you want to try something new!
- Select a healthy leaf and cut just below a node – leave a short part of the stem attached to it.
- Bury the stem part of the cutting into a well-draining medium. Do it at a 45-degree angle to encourage growth.
- You can expect roots to develop in a few weeks or months.
- Pot the cutting into a potting mix and provide it with Hoya’s preferred environment.
Propagating hoyas through Air Layering
Last but not least, another technique for hoya propagation is air layering. While it may seem challenging for new plant enthusiasts, it’s a pretty simple process.
- Select a healthy stem on the plant.
- Cut through the bark horizontally – go about one-third in.
- Apply rooting hormone on the cut if using it.
- Wrap moist sphagnum moss around the cut area.
- Use a plastic bag or plastic wrap to secure the moss.
- Keep the environment moist – mist the moss under plastic wrap when the moss gets dry.
- Rooting generally takes a few weeks but can take up to a few months.
- Remove the air layering from the parent plant and pot it once the roots grow.
Essentials for hoya propagation
To take your cuttings, you’ll need a pair of pruning shears or scissors and some sterilization solution for cleaning them. Ensuring that you’re using clean tools for taking your cuttings prevents possible damage and irritation to your plant – some rubbing alcohol works just fine!
Rooting hormone is another thing you want to purchase before propagating your hoyas. While it isn’t essential, it can speed up the rooting process. Just dip your cutting into it before planting it in soil or water.
If you’re rooting your cuttings in soil, ensure the container has some drainage holes at the bottom. And always use well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging, which could result in root rot. Sphagnum moss and a well-draining potting mix both work brilliantly for hoyas.
Don’t forget proper care for your hoya cuttings. They require bright yet indirect sunlight to grow into established plants. Give the cuttings regular watering when propagating cuttings in soil. Let the top inch of the soil dry out between waterings. Another thing to keep in mind is that hoyas prefer warm and humid environments.
Troubleshooting
Use well-draining soil, avoid overwatering, and regularly monitor your plant to prevent issues such as root rot, pests, and infections.
You can suspect root rot if you notice wilting or yellowing of the plant or if the soil produces an unpleasant odor. In the case of root rot, repot it in fresh soil. Fungicides come in handy when dealing with any fungal infections. If you’ve detected pests, use insecticidal soap or neem oil – both work as organic pest control measures.
You may want to provide the young cutting with bottom heat and high humidity to increase your chances of success. Another tip is to offer the plant support as it grows. Monitoring the plant and adjusting the care when needed will leave you with a thriving hoya.
Growth stages of Hoya plants
It’s good to understand the different growth stages of the plant you’re propagating. Noticing the milestones your plant goes through helps to tell whether it’s growing into a healthy plant.
- Rooting stage – This is the period when the cutting or air layering focuses its energy on growing roots. You can expect to see roots forming anytime after a few weeks or a couple of months.
- Establishment stage – Once your plant enters the establishment stage, it focuses on growing an established root system and new stems and leaves. You’ll notice your plant increasing in size over several months or even a couple of years.
- Blooming stage – This is when a hoya plant produces clusters of star-shaped flowers. Depending on the variety, it can take a cutting anywhere between months to a few years to bloom.
To sum it up
Propagating your hoya plant rewards you with new plants that can make brilliant gifts or be used to expand your collection. Whether you decide to use stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, or air layering, use the tips and step-by-step guide we provided, and you’ll have several new hoya plants!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes – hoya can be propagated in water. Water propagation is a common and effective way of propagating those plants.
How to root hoya cuttings?
Root hoya cuttings in water or soil. Simply select a healthy stem cutting with at least two nodes, remove the lower leaves, place it in a glass of water or some potting mix, and wait for it to grow roots.
Where do you cut hoya for propagation?
Choose a healthy stem with several leaves on it to use as your cutting. Cut just below a node.
Is it easy to propagate hoya?
The short answer is yes! Propagating Hoya plants is easy when you understand the proper propagation methods and correct aftercare. The most common way for cloning hoyas is through stem cuttings.
How long does it take a Hoya to root?
It can take anywhere between 3 weeks to a couple of months. The exact time depends on the condition of the cutting and its environment.
What is the easiest way to propagate Hoya?
There are a few different methods for propagating hoyas. The easiest way to do it is using stem cuttings.
Why is my Hoya cutting not rooting?
There might be a few different reasons behind your cutting not rooting. Ensure it gets enough sunlight, water, and humidity.
