Hoya care: light, water, and pet safety

Hoya carnosa and others

Care table

Light	Bright indirect light to some direct sun. Bright indirect with some morning sun. Needs bright light to flower.
Water	Let half the pot dry. Water when the top half of the pot is dry.
Humidity	Prefers 40 to 50 percent or more
Repotting	Every 2 to 3 years. Blooms better root bound.

Winter care

Water less and keep it bright. Do not cut off old flower spurs: new flowers come from the same spot.

Pet safety

Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). ASPCA entry: Wax Plant (Hoya)

Pet safety comes from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list. The list is not exhaustive, and a plant marked non-toxic can still upset a pet stomach. If a pet eats a plant and you are worried, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list.

Common problems

No flowers: Not enough light, or a young plant.
Soft, mushy base or black roots: Root rot from soil that stays wet too long. Common in winter.
White cottony spots: Mealybugs. Wipe with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab and isolate the plant.

How to check the soil

Finger test: push a finger into the soil up to the first knuckle, about an inch. Dry and crumbly means that layer is dry. Cool or damp means wait. For deeper checks use a wooden skewer: it comes out clean when the soil is dry.

All houseplants and the Light and Water tool