Octopus Hoya

This plant should not be allowed to dry out completely. Water moderately, when the top inch of soil feel dry. Avoid overwatering especially during fall and winter since it can lead to root rot. During the summer, you can mist the leaves for extra humidity.

Hoya Carnosa 'Compacta' prefers medium, indirect light. It tolerates medium to low light conditions, but direct sun may cause the leaves to burn. Place it away from any sources of heat such as radiators or air conditioning units. The leaves may start to yellow and drop if the plant doesn't get enough light.

Hoya Carnosa 'Compacta' likes temperatures between 55 to 80°F (12 to 26° Celsius) with night temperatures not to go below 50°F (10°C).

Humidity is not a big concern as long as the humidity level of the room is moderate to high - above 40%. Increased humidity encourages more flowers.

This houseplant prefers well-draining, pebble-based soils. Use a mixture of two parts potting soil, one part perlite or sand, and one part peat or coco coir.

It is important to feed this houseplant during the spring and summer. Fertilize it once a month with a well-balanced liquid or water-soluble fertilizer diluted to one-quarter strength. You can also use organic fertilizer every three months.

This hoya is vulnerable to common houseplant pests such as mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, and scale. If you notice any of these pests, isolate the plant from other houseplants immediately. The most efficient method to remove pests is by washing the leaves and stems with a soapy solution, and for the more hard to remove pests, use rubbing alcohol sprayed directly onto the insects. Keep an eye out for black spots on leaves, which could indicate a fungal infection due to excessive moisture.

Hoya Carnosa 'Compacta' grows fairly slowly, therefore it does not need to be repotted very often. Generally, it should be repotted every two to three years to make sure it has enough space to grow.

This plant does not need regular pruning but it can be good to trim leggy edges. Prune only if you want to control the size of the plant or to remove dead leaves.

This plant does not need mulching but it can help with water retention. Mulch will help to keep the soil moist leading to less frequent watering. Use a lightweight mulch such as pine needles or cocoa shells to avoid damaging the roots of the plant.

Propagation is best done in the spring or summer. Use stem cuttings of the mature stems from the parent plant to propagate this Hoya. Stick the end of the cutting in the soil and keep the humidity high until they take root. Each cutting should have at least 3 leaves on it.

Hoya Carnosa 'Compacta' is a climber and will need some type of support such as a trellis or fence. It can also be grown as a trailing or a hanging houseplant.

At the end of the winter, Hoya Carnosa 'Compacta' will enter a sort of “rest period” where it will not require regular watering and much less fertilizer. During this period, the topsoil should be allowed to dry, and fertilizing should be stopped completely.

Hoya Carnosa 'Compacta' is usually non-toxic for household pets, although some pets can react to the sap of the plant. Keep it out of reach from them just in case.