We recently received a few questions about growing hoya plants including some people saying hoyas cannot be grown in southern Florida which is a myth. Prior to starting AdeniumRose Company I grew hoya plants on a patio in south Florida and they consistently flowered for many years. They were in 12″ pots hanging down from a height of 8 feet to the ground in a covered patio area. They grow so fast I continually needed to cut them back otherwise they would be touching the ground. Hoyas are TROPICAL succulent plants that grow great in partial shade outdoors and in-doors in many different climates.
Hoya plants will grow in high humidity to average humidity areas outdoors. They prefer partial shade because full sun can cause leaf burn. As an indoor plant, hoyas prefer 6..7 hours of 70% to 80% sunlight a day to flower. We use a soil mix a little richer in organic materials than we do for our adeniums and other succulents. However, just like any succulent the soil must drain quickly and be airy to prevent root rot. Hoyas do not mind being root bound and some varieties even bloom faster if root bound. However, do not repot to a smaller pot from a large pot just to get them to flower faster because you will damage the root system
All AdeniumRose Company’s grow the wax plants in hanging pots have drainage holes open and they are watered about twice a week from late winter through fall. You need to adjust your watering schedule based upon your growing season. Yes, you can grow your hoyas outdoors during the warmer months. Remember to bring them in doors as the temperatures get below 50 degrees. During the slow growing months (winter) we reduce the watering to once a week and make sure the soil is 90% dry before watering.
P.S. Hoyas are also know as wax and Hindu rope plants.