Plants
Wax Plant
Hoya carnosa · Hundsgiftgewächse (Apocynaceae)
The wax plant fully earns its name: its thick, leathery leaves and spherical flower umbels look as though they were sculpted from wax. It is one of the most rewarding houseplants there is, forgives the odd missed watering and repays patience with star-shaped, sweetly scented blooms. In our Pempelfort shop we often recommend it to people looking for their first green companion.
- Light
- Bright to partial shade without harsh midday sun; plenty of light promotes flowering.
- Watering
- Water moderately, letting the substrate dry out a little between waterings; avoid waterlogging at all costs and water sparingly in winter.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Hoya carnosa
Botanically the wax plant belongs to the dogbane family and is therefore a close relative of the oleander. Its leaves are slightly succulent and store water, which makes the plant remarkably tough. Alongside the green-leaved species form, variegated cultivars are especially sought after, whose cream to pink leaves work well as a pure foliage plant in their own right.
The cultivars are worth a closer look: the Tricolor (often sold as Krimson Queen) shows cream-white leaf margins and soft pink new growth, while the Krimson Princess is variegated from the inside out in yellow, pink and cream. The Compacta, better known as the Hindu Rope, curls its thick leaves into quirky twisted strands and is a real eye-catcher for collectors.
In floristry and plant retail the Hoya stands out for its longevity: a well-cared-for plant accompanies its owner for decades and flowers anew each year from the same flower stalks. For exactly this reason the flower stalks, the so-called spurs, must never be cut off after flowering, because the plant produces fresh blooms on them the following year.
Stylistically the wax plant suits modern and classic interiors alike. As a hanging plant it lets its vines cascade down; on a trellis or moss pole it climbs elegantly upwards. Its waxy flowers add a romantic, almost nostalgic accent and release a honey-like fragrance in the evening, which is particularly appreciated in bedrooms and living rooms.
Care
- 01Bright spot without harsh midday sun; the more light it gets, the more readily it flowers. A little morning sun is tolerated well.
- 02Only water once the top layer of substrate has dried out, then water thoroughly. Waterlogging quickly leads to root rot.
- 03Water markedly more sparingly in winter and stop feeding; a cooler winter rest around 15 degrees encourages flowering the following year.
- 04Feed weakly from April to September every two to four weeks, ideally with cactus or foliage-plant fertiliser.
- 05Never cut off spent flower umbels and their stalks, as the plant reblooms from them. Only remove bare, dried-out shoots.
- 06Repot rarely and only when the pot is heavily rooted; the Hoya flowers more readily when slightly pot-bound.
Frequently asked
- Is the wax plant toxic to cats and dogs?
- Hoya carnosa is regarded as non-toxic to cats, dogs and humans and is expressly listed as a safe Wax Plant by the ASPCA. Because cats and dogs digest plant matter poorly, chewing larger amounts can still cause mild gastrointestinal irritation. To be safe we recommend keeping the plant out of reach of curious four-legged friends.
- Why is my Hoya not flowering?
- Usually there is simply not enough light, or the plant is still too young; Hoyas often only flower from the age of two to three years. A bright position, a cooler winter rest and patience are key. And crucially: the old flower stalks must never be cut off, because the new blooms appear on them year after year.
- Is the wax plant available all year round?
- As a houseplant the Hoya is available all year round. Its main flowering period, however, falls in late spring and summer, when the typical spherical umbels of star-shaped individual flowers form on the spurs. Under good conditions it can even rebloom several times during this period.
- How do I care for the wax plant correctly?
- Place it bright but out of harsh midday sun, water moderately and let the substrate dry out a little between waterings. Feed lightly every few weeks during the growing season and keep it cooler and drier in winter. The slightly succulent leaves forgive minor care mistakes, which is why the Hoya is considered an ideal beginner plant.