How to Plant Hoya Cuttings

Hoya (Hoya carnosa) is appropriately nicknamed wax plant because of the plant’s thick, waxy, dark green leaves. With proper care and adequate sunlight, hoya will quickly wrap itself around a trellis or hanging basket. When the hoya matures, it will produce clusters of colorful flowers in shades of white, purple or pink, depending on the variety. Hoya isn’t difficult to propagate by taking a tip cutting from a healthy plant. Start hoya during the summer.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Plastic container
• Commercial potting soil
• Spray bottle
• Powdered or liquid rooting hormone
• Clear plastic bag
• Rubber band
• Watering can

1. Fill a planting container with commercial potting soil, then dampen the soil with a spray bottle. Any container with a drainage hole will work.
2. Cut 3 to 5 inches from the tip of a healthy hoya stem. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the hoya cutting. Take several tip cuttings just in case some of the hoya stems don’t root successfully.
3. Dip the bottom inch of the hoya tip cuttings in powdered or liquid rooting hormone, then plant the tip cuttings in the potting soil with the leaves above the soil. Although a rooting hormone isn’t required, it will increase the chance that the hoya stems will root successfully. The hoya cuttings can be placed in the same container as long as the leaves don’t touch.
4. Cover the planting container with a clear plastic bag. Secure the plastic bag to the pot with a rubber band.
5. Place the planting container in indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sun, as the light will magnify and may burn the hoya tip cuttings.
6. Check the planting container daily and mist lightly inside the bag if the soil becomes dry, although misting shouldn’t be necessary if the bag is affixed securely around the pot. Poke a hole in the plastic to allow ventilation if heavy condensation builds up inside the bag.
7. Remove the plastic bag when new growth appears, which indicates that the hoya tip cutting has successfully rooted. Move the hoya into bright sunlight.
8. Water the plant when the soil feels dry to the touch. Water deeply, and then allow water to run freely through the drainage hole. Empty any water that remains in the drainage tray under the pot and never allow the pot to stand in water.