Propagating new Hoya plants is a very easy and fun project that any houseplant gardener can learn to do. Multiplying your stock of Hoya plants is a great way to share a loved cultivar with friends and family or to rescue a healthy piece of a cherished plant if it appears stressed. No specialized tools are necessary to propagate Hoyas. A set of hand pruners and a glass of water are the basic tools required to start multiplying your plant stock.
Methods To Propagate Hoya
The easiest and most successful method of propagating Hoya is by taking internodal stem cuttings. Stem cuttings easily grow roots from the leaf nodes and quickly grow when placed in a glass of water or planted directly into potting mix in a well-draining pot. Leaf cuttings are also another method for propagation that Hoyas respond well to. In fact, the leaves that are removed from a stem cutting can be used for leaf cuttings, giving you at least twice as many plantlets from a small piece of the plant. Cuttings will root faster during the normal growing period for hoyas, which is during the warmer spring and summer months.
Best Rooting Media To Propagate Hoya
Hoya easily roots in either a glass of water or in a prepared pot of potting mix. Soil that stays overly moist may cause the cutting to rot and die. Houseplant cutting will grow quite easily when planted in a pot of perlite. The perlite retains moisture well while allowing the roots to breathe and move easily through the media as they form. Use a specialized cacti and succulent potting mix for the best results after the Hoya has formed roots and is ready for transplanting to another container. LECA, lightweight expanded clay aggregate, is another growing medium that works great for Hoya plants after the cuttings have rooted. The clay balls absorb water and slowly release as much as the roots need, making watering a much easier task.
Steps To Propagate Hoya
Step 1 - Take a cutting from either a length of stem with at least 2 sets of leaves attached or a leaf itself.
Step 2 - Remove all but the top set of leaves from the stem cutting.
Step 3 - A leaf should be placed in a pot of growing medium so that the stem is in the soil, preferably at a 45-degree angle. The new roots will sprout from the stem end.
Step 4 - Place the internode stem cutting in a glass of water so that the leaves are not submerged. Refresh the water every 2-3 days until roots emerge at 2-3 weeks.
Step 5 - Internode cuttings can also be planted directly into a pot of perlite. Place the cutting near the edge of the pot so that only the top pair of leaves are visible. Keep the pot well watered until roots emerge at 3-4 weeks.
Step 6 - Leaf cuttings may take up to 2 months for roots to form. Make sure to keep the soil evenly moist at all times.
Caring For Hoya Cuttings
All Hoya cuttings will need to be placed in a bright, warm location out of the way of drafts and furnace vents. There is no need to use heat mats or specialized lighting to encourage rooting. Water the cuttings in a growing medium regularly so the potting mix feels like a well wrung-out sponge. Overwatering will cause the cuttings to rot before setting roots. Change the water every 2-3 days for water-propagated stem cuttings. The fresh water will keep the roots from rotting. No fertilizers are needed until the new plants are potted in their final containers.
Transplanting Hoya Cuttings
When roots have grown to a substantial size, the cuttings (now individual plants) can be potted up into a new container. Remove the cutting from its pot or glass of water, being careful not to disturb the delicate root system. Pot the new plant in a container that is not more than twice the size of the rootball. Plastic pots 2-3 inches in diameter work great for newly started Hoya plants. Use LECA or a succulent potting mix for good drainage. Place the plant in the pot so that all of the roots will be covered, and the growing point is just above the potting medium. New Hoya plants will require a very diluted fertilizer once a month during the normal growing season.
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Author Robbin Small - Published 4-05-2023 |