Wax flower, the most beautiful plant

The wax flower is a wonderful plant that you can have inside your home for many years, and even if you live in an area with a mild climate, you can enjoy the beauty of its delicate petals in a corner protected from the sun.

It is so beautiful and so easy to take care of, that you would not believe it 😉. When you see it for the first time it gives you the feeling that it has to be very delicate, but ... nothing could be further from the truth. Would you like to discover it for yourself? You will not regret it.

Origin and characteristics of the wax flower

Our protagonist is a climbing plant native to eastern Asia and Australia that reaches a length of up to 6 meters. It is known by the names Porcelain Flower, Hoya and Wax Flower, and with the scientist Hoya carnosa. It is characterized by having leaves that are oval or elliptical, and that are 3-5cm wide by 3,5-13cm long. These have a petiole (a stem that joins them with the rest of the plant) 1 to 1,5 cm long.

Your flowers, without a doubt what attracts the most attention, are grouped in umbel-shaped inflorescences and are aromatic. Each one of the flowers is white or pink, they measure 1,5 to 2cm in diameter and are composed of five petals.

There is a very interesting variety that is Hoya carnosa f. compact, or Hoya carnosa compact, which has rolled leaves. So that you can better know what it is, we leave you a couple of photos:

What care do you need?

If you are seriously considering getting a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:

Location

The ideal is to have it inside the house, in a bright room. If you live in an area with a warm climate, you can have it outside, in semi-shade.

Soil or substrate

It has to have a land that drains well, as for example the following mixture would be: black peat with 50% perlite. It does not like waterlogging, so it is necessary to avoid the lands that are compacted a lot.

Irrigation

During the summer it should be watered 2-3 times a week, while the rest of the year one watering every 7-10 days will suffice.. It is important to let the soil dry before wetting it again, as the leaves of the Wax Flower have reserves that keep it alive in times when it receives less water.

Subscriber

From spring to the end of summer it must be paid with liquid fertilizers that we will find in the nurseries ready for use, such as Universal, Green Plants, or guano, which is organic. You must read the product label and follow the instructions that are specified to avoid the risk of overdose.

Planting or transplanting time

In spring, when the risk of frost has passed. As it has a rather slow growth rate, it must be changed every 2-3 years.

Multiplication

The Wax Flower can be multiplied by cuttings or by layering. Let's see how to proceed in each case:

Cuttings

1. In spring, we will cut end stems that have 2 or 3 nodes, cutting below one of them. The knots are the protrusions from which the leaves sprout. Those on the base must be removed.
2. Then we will infuse the base with powdered rooting hormones.
3. Next, we plant it in a pot with peat and perlite mixed in equal parts and we will water.
4. Finally, we will take a transparent plastic bottle from which we will have cut the lower part, and we will cover the pot with it.

For everything to go well, it is important to remove the cap from time to time so that the air is renewed, which will prevent fungi from appearing. In 14-22 days the cutting will become a new plant 🙂.

Layered

1. To get a new specimen using the layering technique, during the spring we have to remove a ring of bark from a lignified stem.
2. Then we moisten it with water and infuse it with powdered rooting hormones.
3. Finally, we have to cover it with a plastic bag filled with black peat mixed with 50% perlite, so that the final appearance reminds us of a small candy with its wrapping.

With a syringe, we will moisten the substrate regularly, and within a maximum period of one month we will be able to cut our new wax flower.

Pests

It is a very resistant plant; however, it can be affected by:

• Aphids: they are parasites of about 0,5cm of green, yellow or brown color depending on the variety. They perch on the leaves, stems and / or flower buds to feed on the cells. Fortunately, they can be kept in check with yellow color traps with neem oil.
• Mealybugs: they can be of the cottony type (cottony cochineal) or resemble the appearance of a limpet or shield (California louse). They also adhere to any part of the plant, but can be easily removed by cleaning the wax flower with, for example, a brush dipped in pharmacy alcohol.

Problems

The Hoya carnosa can have some other problems, which are:

• Dark spots on the leaves: it can be due to sunburn or fungus. We will have to move it away from the light of the star king and treat it with systemic fungicide, in addition to watering less so that the problem does not get worse.
• Yellow leaves and black tips:
  • Direct sun: it needs to be protected from the sun's rays.
  • Excess watering: you have to cut the damaged parts and reduce watering.
  • Lack of nitrogen or other nutrients: we remember that it must be paid during the warm months so that it can continue to grow.
  • Too cold roots: if we live in an area with a cold climate, it is advisable to irrigate with warm water (37ºC) during the winter. We can also add one or two tablespoons of Nitrofoska every 15 days to keep your root system protected from the cold.
• Fall of flower buds:
  • Excessive heat: if the temperature is 30ºC or more, it is normal for them to fall.
  • By moving it around: if this new location has different light, temperature and humidity conditions, the plant can react by dropping its cocoons.
  • Cold air stream: keep it as far away as possible from air currents, especially from the fan and air conditioning.
  • Thirst: if the land is very dry, we must water it more.
• Does not bloom:
  • Lack of nutrients: the wax flower needs food (fertilizer) to grow and, also, to flourish.
  • Lack of light: although it must be placed in semi-shade, for it to flourish it is necessary to give it 3-4 hours of more or less direct light (not direct at all, as it could burn it).
  • Very low ambient humidity: it can be sprayed with lime-free water in the evening if necessary.
  • Pot too big: it blooms better and with more force if it is in a rather small one.

Rusticity

It is able to withstand frosts up to -3ºC; however, its ideal temperature range is between 15 and 25ºC.

Where to buy Hoya carnosa?

The porcelain flower is a plant that we can easily find it in any nursery and garden store (be they physical or online). Its price is around 11 euros for a 30cm high specimen planted in a pot of about 10'5cm in diameter.

Here you leave a link to buy wax flower seeds. Dare yourself!!

What did you think of this plant?