Unpretentious Hoya

The Unpretentious Hoya needs regular watering every two or three weeks during the growing season and very occasional watering during the dormant season, every few weeks. Over-watering will lead to root rot or other issues associated with poor drainage. When you water the plant, make sure that the potting soil is thoroughly wet and let the excess water to dry out before you water it again. It is best to allow some drying out of the soil in between the waterings.

The Unpretentious Hoya enjoys bright indirect sunlight and it does very well in warm climates or indoors. You can have it placed in the window, where it can get some morning or evening sun, protected from the harsh noon sunlight. The Unpretentious Hoya does fine with low to bright light but less than ideal lighting will make it grow slower. Variegated varieties need brighter than normal light.

During the growing season, the Unpretentious Hoya likes to have temperature of 70 to 85 °F (21 to 29 °C), and during the dormant season, the temperature should be between 65 to 70 °F (18 to 21 °C). This plant can suffer from cold drafts, so it is best to keep it away from opened windows or air conditioners. If it is too hot, the Unpretentious Hoya will not thrive, and if it is too cold, it can suffer from cold damage.

The Unpretentious Hoya likes high humidity levels, and it is best to mist the plant and its leaves once a week with a spray bottle. It should be placed away from windows where drafts and cooler temperatures usually occur as well as in a humid environment. Humidifiers can help increase the humidity levels around the Unpretentious Hoya.

The Unpretentious Hoya prefers well-draining soil lightly acidic and rich in organic content. A good mix should contain two parts regular potting soil, one part perlite and one part peat moss. The soil should be moist but not soggy wet and should be periodically fertilized in the growing season to provide extra nutrients.

The Unpretentious Hoya should be regularly fertilized during the growing season and occasional fertilizer during the dormant season. A balanced liquid or water soluble fertilizer can be used, diluting it half strength before application. Otherwise inorganic fertilizers such as controlled-release fertilizer, bone meal, fish emulsion and kelp powder can be used. Fertilize lightly once every 3 to 4 weeks and avoid over-fertilizing.

The Unpretentious Hoya is prone to many common houseplant pests such as mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, scales and whiteflies. You can spot the pests easily on the leaves and stems and they are usually not easy to remove with plain water. Neem oil or diluted rubbing alcohol can help to get rid of these pests. In case of an infestation, it is best to isolate the plant from the other houseplants and treat the Unpretentious Hoya with insecticidal soap or the neem oil mentioned before.

The Unpretentious Hoya should be repotted once every two to three years in the spring, when it’s actively growing and before the new growing season starts. Dedicate a slightly larger pot than the one it previously had which has good drainage. To repot the Unpretentious Hoya you should loosen the root ball by gently hand-pulling, taking care not to damage the plant. Then place the rooted branches in the new pot and fill the pot with fresh soil.

Pruning of the Unpretentious Hoya should be done regularly during the active growing season. Use sterilized scissors or pruner and cut out any dead, damaged or diseased parts of the stems and carefully remove the leaves. To ensure that the Unpretentious Hoya gets enough air circulating around it, cut off some of the leaves to let more air in. When pruning the stems, ensure not to cut too much.

Mulching the Unpretentious Hoya is very beneficial as it will help to retain water and keep the soil moist. You can use shredded bark, compost, leaf mold, or pine needles as mulch. Make sure to keep the mulch away from the crown and stems.

Propagation of the Unpretentious Hoya is a straightforward process and can be done from cuttings. Choose healthy stems with at least three leaves and cut the stem just below the leaves with sterilized scissors or sharp knife. Remove the leaves from the lower part of the stem and make sure to keep the top leaves and stem intact. Dip the cut end into the rooting hormone and place it in the potting soil. The soil should be damp and well draining. Ensure that the cuttings stay in a warm place with adjustable light.

You need to provide support for the Unpretentious Hoya, because it is a vining plant and its structure is delicate. You can have a moss stick installed in the soil. You can also use a trellis or a macrame plant hanger if you want to keep it off the floor. The younger Hoya will need support for its stems in order to not to collapse.

The Unpretentious Hoya needs a period of rest when the growth slows down and flower buds do not appear. It's usually during the winter, between November and February. During this dormancy period, reduce the watering schedule and ensure that the plant gets enough bright indirect light.

The Unpretentious Hoya is categorised as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Even though it is safe to have around animals, make sure to keep the plant away from them.