I’ve been into hoya gardening for over two decades now. Hoya curtisii is my favorite choice due to its small and compact design. It is a wonderful option for those individuals with limited indoor space. Besides that, it is super easy to grow and maintain at home.
Hoya curtisii care involves the provision of bright indirect sunlight, slightly moist soil, a well-draining potting mix, high humidity, and a temperature range of 65-75oF (18-24oC) during the day. Feed the plant every month during spring and summer.
Hoya curtisii plant is a perfect choice for hanging baskets and other regular pots. Outdoor hoya curtisii plants are excellent for gardens and terrariums as ground covers in warm and humid regions. Take the time to read this detailed hoya curtisii care sheet for more insights.
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What Does Hoya Curtisii Look Like?
Hoya curtisii is a compact and trailing plant with spade-shaped leaves. The foliages are green with silver accents and stay small about an inch long.
The hoya cultivar is also called the waxflower or porcelain flower. It belongs to the Apocynaceae family and hails from Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
Hoya curtisii blooms once or twice a season, and these flowers come out in clusters. The sweet smell and flower coloration is the reason behind its growing popularity.
This miniature hoya species has a maximum height of 2-3 inches. The succulent traits allow the houseplant to tolerate neglect for a shorter period.
Hoya curtisii plants are non-poisonous to cats and dogs. But I recommend keeping the houseplant away from pets to avoid destruction.
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Hoya Curtisii Care Details
| Origin | Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand |
| Botanical Name | Hoya curtisii |
| Common Names | Wax Flower and Porcelain Flower |
| Maximum Growth (Approx.) | 2-3 inches tall. Hoya curtisii is a non-invasive plant. |
| Light Requirements | Bright indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight will scorch the leaves. |
| Soil Requirements | Well-draining potting soil. I recommend either cactus or succulent mix. |
| Watering Needs | Water the plant when 2-3 inches of topsoil is dry. Reduce watering frequency during winter. |
| Temperature Range | 65-75oF (18-24oC) during the day and 60oF (15oC) at night. |
| Humidity Requirements | Above 50%. Use an electric humidifier to boost indoor humidity. |
| Fertilizer Application | Feed the plant once a month during the growing season. I recommend organic fertilizer over its synthetic counterparts. |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings in water or soil. Springtime is the best period for hoya curtisii propagation. |
| Re-potting | Transplant this plant due to soil fertility exhaustion. It is less vulnerable to root-bound problems. |
| Pests and Diseases | Pests: Aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites Diseases: Root rot due to overwatering |
| Flowering | Once or twice a season. Red flowers with yellow centers release sweet fragrances. |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs. |
How to Care for Hoya Curtisii
Hoya Curtisii Light Requirements
The wax flower thrives under bright indirect sunlight. I prefer keeping the plant near the window with sheer curtains to reduce sunlight intensity.
Early morning or late evening direct sunlight for a few hours is harmless to hoya curtisii. I recommend placing the houseplant in an east or west-facing window.
Use artificial lights for hoya curtisii grown in dark spots. A low-lighting condition will result in leggy and stunted growth. Direct sunlight will scorch or burn the leaves.
Hoya Curtisii Watering Needs
Watering is a crucial hoya curtisii care tip to master. This houseplant is drought-resistant and prefers to dry out in between thorough watering.
The golden rule is to inspect the soil moisture before watering your plant. Poke the index finger in 2-3 inches of topsoil and water if it is dry.
Soak the soil until the excess water drain through the drainage holes. Hoya curtisii plants hate damp conditions due to root rot problems.
Under-watering will result in drooping and wilting. Hoya curtisii leaves turning brown is another possible sign of inconsistent watering habit.
Hoya Curtisii Soil Requirements
Hoya curtisii plants are epiphytes and prefer well-draining soil to thrive well. I recommend using cactus or succulent mix with perlite to improve drainage.
The potting soil chosen should never get soggy after watering. This tropical plant does not thrive in a damp environment. Be sure to use a pot with drainage holes at the bottom.
The drainage holes will help to eliminate excess water from the potting soil. Combine two parts of potting soil and one part of perlite to prepare the best potting medium for your hoya cultivar.
Hoya Curtisii Fertilizer Application
Micro and macronutrients from fertilizer are essential for hoya curtisii plants. These nutrients facilitate vegetative and healthy growth.
Feed the hoya curtisii with an all-purpose fertilizer once or twice a month during spring and summer. Do not fertilizer your hoya during late fall and winter due to the dormancy effect.
Hoya curtisii leaves turning yellow is an indicator of nutritional deficiency. Use water-soluble fertilizer to revive your houseplant.
Remember to flush the potting soil every three months to avoid salt buildup. Over-fertilization will burn roots and cause leaves to turn brown.
I recommend homemade fertilizer to feed your hoya rather than using synthetic fertilizer. Feel free to read my article on How to Make Homemade Fertilizer for Houseplants.
Hoya Curtisii Temperature Range
Hoya curtisii plants prefer a temperature range of 65-75oF (18-24oC) during the day and around 60oF (15oC) at night. Any temperature below 50oF (10oC) will harm your houseplant.
Strive to keep your hoya cultivar in a warm environment. Drafty areas will ruin the health and appearance of your tropical houseplant.
Be sure to keep the plant away from air vents, windowsills, radiators, and heaters. Extreme temperature changes will cause leaves to drop and plant wilting.
Hoya Curtisii Humidity Requirements
Hoya plants do best in a warm and humid environment. Hoya curtisii is not an exception since it hails from the tropical regions of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand.
High indoor humidity will make your wax flower happy and healthy. Try to keep indoor humidity above 50% to mimic the natural habitat.
Hoya curtisii brown leaf tips and edges are due to low humidity. Use an electric humidifier to boost humidity around your favorite hoya plant.
Another option is to mist the leaves and improve air circulation around the plant to avoid insect infestations or fungal leaf spots.
Pruning and Maintenance
Hoya curtisii requires minimal pruning routine due to its small and compact size. Trim the old or damaged leaves to improve their appearance.
Remember to pinch the shoots to maintain the desired shape. Springtime is the best season to prune and groom your plant.
Hoya Curtisii Bloom
This hoya species usually bloom once or twice a season under favorable conditions. Proper lighting enhances the production of white flowers with yellow centers.
The bloom occurs in clusters and generates a pleasant scent. But these flowers do last about two weeks before wilting and dropping.
Hoya Curtisii Propagation
Propagating hoya curtisii is super easy. Stem cuttings are the best method of hoya curtisii propagation during springtime.
Identify a healthy stem of about 2-3 inches long and cut with a sterilized blade. Remove the bottom leaves from the nodes without breaking the aerial roots.
Place these stems in water or plant directly in the soil. Ensure the potting soil is moist and has an excellent drainage system. Increase humidity around the plant to foster roots establishment.
How to Repot Hoya Curtisii
Hoya curtisii plants do not need regular transplants since they are less vulnerable to root-bound problems. I recommend re-potting if the potting soil fertility is exhausted.
Use African violet soil or succulent mix to re-pot your hoya cultivar. Keep the potting mix relatively moist to enhance faster acclimation. Ensure the soil pH is neutral.
Hoya Curtisii Problems and Solutions
Pests
Hoya curtisii is vulnerable to insect infestation due to its dense ground cover. The close, dark, and damp environment is the reason behind the pests’ attraction.
Spider mites, fungus gnats, mealybugs, and aphids are the common small insects that attack hoya curtisii. Use neem oil spray or insecticidal spray to eliminate these pests.
Diseases
Root rot is the leading plant disease that affects hoya curtisii. It occurs due to overwatering and poor soil drainage. It causes yellow hoya curtisii leaves and might even kill your plant.
Isolate the plant and uproot to inspect the roots. Trim the brown patches and transplant them to fresh potting soil with better drainage. Use copper fungicide in case of fungal growth.
Hoya Curtisii Dying
Inappropriate watering and over-fertilization is the reason behind the dying hoya curtisii. Take the time to inspect your plant and identify the exact cause before fixing it.
Hoya Curtisii Yellow Leaves
Low lighting and nutritional deficiency are the causes of hoya curtisii yellow leaves. Other causes are transplant shock, acclimation, and extreme temperatures.
Hoya Curtisii Wrinkled Leaves
Wrinkled leaves on hoya curtisii are due to under-watering, low humidity, pests, and sudden temperature changes. Provide ultimate hoya curtisii care to resolve the issues.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hoya Curtisii Toxic to Pets?
No. Hoya curtisii is non-poisonous to cats, dogs, and other pets. But I recommend keeping the houseplant away from pets to avoid destruction.
Is Hoya Curtisii Rare?
Yes. It is among the rare hoya varieties in the market. But tissue culture has made it possible to acquire hoya curtisii in recent days.
Does Hoya Curtisii Climb?
No. This tropical houseplant grows horizontally turning into a cascading dangler. It is an excellent choice as ground cover when grown outdoor.
Final Thoughts
Caring for hoya curtisii can be a daunting and intimidating experience for some houseplant enthusiasts. But this detailed hoya curtisii care sheet will help you be a successful grower.
How to care for a hoya curtisii involves the provision of bright indirect sunlight, high humidity, well-draining potting soil, room temperature, and relatively moist soil.
Feel free to share this guide with other houseplant enthusiasts in your communities. Share your experience growing and caring for this waxflower in the comment section.