A wax flower It is an Asian native plant. Gardeners today consider it a low-maintenance, fragrant tropical flower. They are slow to moderate growers and should be planted outdoors in spring or early summer.
They are part of the family Asclepiadaceae, also known as the milkweed family. The most recent taxonomy places the genus in the family Apocynaceae.
- botanical name hoya carnosa
- Common name Wax plant, wax flower, porcelain flower
- plant type tropical succulent
- mature size 3.5m – 6m
- sun exposure Bright and natural light
- soil type well drained
- soil pH 6.1-7.5
- flowering time Spring or summer (but some varieties bloom in the fall)
- flower color Yellow, orange, pink, burgundy, white, almost black
- native area tropical asia, australia
care
The wax flowers grow in a sphere-shaped cluster, similar to hydrangeas. Each bunch can contain up to 40 individual flowers, tightly packed together. The individual flowers are perfect. They appear to be cast in wax or porcelain, hence the common names. The flowers usually display a colored core in the center of the crown.
The plants produce woody stems with waxy leaves, which remain evergreen. You can encourage a wax plant to become a vine or allow it to creep along the side of the pot. In any case, expect the total length or height of the plant to be between 60 cm and 1.20 m.
Place your plant in a hanging basketwhere you can admire it on the deck or in the balcony. They cling to a small trellis, bringing a vertical element to your tropical potted garden. A wax flower appreciates humid conditions.
Lighting
Thrive best when they receive sunlight bright and not direct.
Ground
A mixture of ground light and well drained. Too much moisture and the roots will rot.
Water
They should be watered weekly and allowed to dry completely between waterings.
Temperature and Humidity
As a tropical plant, they thrive in hot and humid climates.
Fertilizer
They must be fertilized monthly; It is suggested to feed them with a fertilizer which includes nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
varieties
- H. Archboldiana : Creamy cup-shaped flowers with brown crown
- H. Compact: Pale pink flowers and curly leaves; beautiful even when the plant is not flowering
- H. Cumingiata: Yellow flowers with red crown; perfumed
- H. Kerrii Variegata: Heart-shaped foliage with white margins; yellow and orange flowers
- H. Onychoides: Purple star-shaped flowers
pruning
When your wax plant has finished flowering, leave the flower stem as it can produce new flowers. Removing the stalk forces the plant to produce a new stalk, which delays flowering and wastes the plant’s energy. They require few nutrients, and a monthly drink of compost tea or diluted fish emulsion provides all the nutrition these tropicals need.
Propagation
They don’t ask for much other than the well-draining soil and warm, moist conditions that many tropical flowers crave. Choose a location with full to partial sun. Plants that receive less than half a day of sunlight may not produce flowers.
Potting and Replanting
Wax flowers like the security of a comfortable pot, and plants that are more attached to the roots will flower more prolifically than those that have a lot of space in the pot. They don’t like wet or heavy soils, and they also grow as epiphytes in the wild (similar to bromeliads and orchids).
Mixing regular potting soil with orchid potting mix in a 1-1 ratio will provide an ideal growing medium for your plant.
Also, when repotting, use pasteurized soil or growing medium in new pots or those that have been washed in a bleach and water solution.
Hibernation
They will bloom during the summer months, and you should bring them indoors when temperatures drop below 10°C.
Common Pests and Diseases
Wax flowers are vulnerable to sap-sucking pests such as aphids, mealybugs and spider mites. All can be controlled with neem oil. After treating the plant, wipe off pest residue with a clean, soft cloth.
Fungal infections are also common ailments. The Botrytis pest can cause rot and kill your plant; it appears as grayish spots. Treat with fungicide and repot in sterilized potting medium.
*Via The Spruce