Hoya Carnosa Tricolor Is Not Blooming

Insufficient Light

• One reason a "Tricolor" wax plant does not bloom is lack of light. The wax plant prefers a sunny spot and does well with some direct sunlight. It will not bloom if left in an area with low light. The plant blooms best when given six to eight hours of sun each day and at least four of those hours should be in direct sunlight. The best place for a "Tricolor" wax plant is in a south-facing window.

Over-Watering and Over-Fertilizing

• Woody succulent plants, like "Tricolor" wax plant, require watering less frequently than others, as succulents hold water in their fleshy stems, leaves or roots. This allows them to withstand periods of drought. The soil needs to be kept slightly dry, as too much water can be detrimental to the plant and prevent blooming. The same is true with too much fertilizer. The wax plant only requires a monthly feeding with a high-phosphorous 15-30-15 fertilizer for flowering plants in spring through fall. For foliage plants use a 20-20-20 fertilizer blend. For water-soluble plant food, mix 1 teaspoon of fertilizer in 1 gallon of water. You can water the plant with this mixture every seven to 14 days when it is actively growing. Check the fertilizer's directions as rates may vary among brands.

Immature Plant

• The wax plant will not bloom if the plant is not fully grown and ready to produce its fragrant clusters. The plant generally blooms between May and September, but only if it is mature. A mature plant has stems 3 to 6 feet long and will readily produce its unusual fragrant flowers.

Other Don'ts

• If you want your wax plant to bloom, there are some things you should not do. The plant likes to be pot-bound, blooms best in that environment and should only be moved about every two years, if that. You should never attempt replanting while buds are forming, as they will drop off. The wax plant does not react well to removing dead flowers, unless the flower spur is unharmed, as new flowers will form on the same spur.