All About Hoya Curtisii Care
Wax Plant, Wax Flower, Porcelain Flower
Hoya curtisii is an epiphytic plant native to Thailand, The Philippines, and Malaysia. Smaller than most hoyas, curtisii has spade-shaped leaves speckled with tiny white dots. The compact growth makes it more suitable for smaller spaces than its larger siblings.
One of the reasons hoyas are so popular is because of their beautiful flowers! Curtisii has small, white-gold colored flowers with a pink center. The flowers grow together in a cluster typical of hoya plants; however, the curtisii bloom clusters are smaller than other hoyas.
As aside from the beautiful flowers, another feature that makes this plant highly desirable is that it is non-toxic and Pet Safe.
How To Care for Hoya Curtisii
All Hoyas are epiphytes and grow from trees and rocks in their native Rainforest environment. They are part of the Apocynaceae family. Unlike terrestrial plants, they prefer airy, loose soil and will struggle to survive in compact soil mixes. This is easily accomplished by adding orchid bark and perlite to traditional potting mixes found in most stores.
You can pot them up an inch or two once the roots start growing out of the bottom of the pot. Most Hoyas prefer to be slightly rootbound. Keep in mind that the Curtisii does remain relatively small and won’t require potting up very often.
They prefer high temperatures and humidity and do well on a shaded porch during the humid summers. They love a bright, sunny window, especially during the cooler months but avoid direct, afternoon summer sun. They naturally get bright light but it is filtered through tree leaves.
Read on to learn more about caring for Hoya Curtisii ……
USDA Zone 11-12
They don’t like to completely dry out like most hoyas and prefer regular watering. It’s best to water when the top 1 inch of soil is dry. If you are unsure, stick your finger in the soil. Too much water can cause root rot.
These are smaller plants growing to around 12 inches wide. They can be kept compact and full by pruning. Read on to learn how.
They prefer bright, indirect light but can grow well in medium-light situations. They will survive in low light but not thrive and likely not flower. Curtisii can tolerate and may prefer direct morning sun as long as it’s not too intense. Remember the rule, if you are going to burn, your plant is going to burn.
Use an airy potting mix that drains well. Incorporate orchid bark and perlite into regular soil to create more airflow.
They are native to Tropical environments and like 50% or higher humidity levels.
Hoya Curtisii is non-toxic and safe for children and pets. Find more pet-safe plants here.
Fertilize every three months during the growing season with Green Grub Insect Frass. You can either make a compost tea to water with every time or sprinkle a layer of fertilizer on top of the soil. If using synthetic, use an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer with a balanced ratio.
Propagate by stem cuttings. Read on for propagation instructions.
How to Propagate Hoya Curtisii
Propagating Hoya curtisii is easy and encourages bushier growth! It’s best to wait until after your plant finishes blooming in the spring to take cuttings.
1. Take a stem cutting from your plant that has two to three leaf sections on it. Make your cut below the bottom leaf node.
2. Place the cuttings in a dry, well-ventilated place for 24 hours while the cuts callus over.
3. Place the stem one inch deep into a potting mix or into a cup of water for water rooting.
4. Keep the soil moist and warm for best rooting conditions and you should have root growth in a couple of weeks. You can use this method to create new plants from cuttings or to fill out a current plant and make it larger and bushier.
Getting Your Hoya Curtisii to Bloom
All Hoyas are triggered to bloom when temperatures, moisture, and light increase due to seasonal changes. Curtisii blooms when temperatures and sunlight increase during the spring.
Depending on where you live and the temperature and humidity inside your home, you may need to remind your hoya that winter has passed and now it’s spring and time to bloom.
If you keep your house on the warm side, your plant may not realize it’s winter. It may be necessary to move it to a cooler place and keep it on the dryer side during the winter months. Not freezing, just a little cooler.
After your Hoya Curtisii has experienced winter, move it back to a warm, sunny spot for spring. Make sure you increase watering and it gets plenty of light, especially morning light. It’s also a good idea to mist your hoya daily in order to mimic spring rains. Once it senses the change in temperatures and sunlight, it’ll bloom!
Another tip, hoyas bloom when they are slightly root-bound. If there is too much space in the pot, hoyas will refuse to flower and instead grow roots to fill out the pot.
Finally, some hoya species won’t flower until they are mature. If it’s a baby, give it a few years to grow.
