How to Grow Hoya Carnosa

Propagate hoya carnosa from cuttings taken from the vines of an existing plant. Cut about 1/4 inch above leaf pairs and make sure the cutting contains one node, which is the point where leaves attach to the stem.

Fill a pot with a general-purpose potting soil or a mixture of equal parts moist peat, loam, and sand or perlite in the summer. Hoya carnosa thrives in soil rich in organic material. Typically one or two cuttings can be grown in a 3-inch pot and three to four can be grown in a 4-inch pot.

Position your cutting in the soil with the node at the soil surface and cover. Placing your cutting into the soil too deep will inhibit shoot development. Your cutting should form roots in about three to four weeks and a shoot should form four to six weeks after rooting.

Soak the soil with warm water immediately after planting and cover the pot with a plastic bag that is sealed with a rubber band.

Place your pot in a window ledge or outdoors, in an area that provides indirect sunlight. Hoya carnosa requires at least four hours of direct sunlight for ideal growth, but will also do well in indirect or filtered light. For optimal color and growth, hoya carnosa prefers temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit during daylight hours and between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night.

Repot when the roots reach the bottom of the container, or place outdoors after stems have grown for a full season.

Water established hoya carnosa plants only when the soil becomes almost dry, and give only enough to moisten the surface of the soil.

Feed once in April and again in June with a water soluble 2-1-2 or 3-1-2 ratio fertilizer. Follow the label directions for application rates.

Avoid turning or moving your plants once buds have appeared and do not remove dead flowers, leafless spurs or stubs. New flowers will form on these in the spring.

Reduce watering and provide adequate ventilation in the fall and winter months when your plant goes dormant. Provide only enough water to dampen the soil and prevent wilting of foliage.