Hoya Brevialata Care – Best Tips!

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(image credits, IG: r0000byn)

If you are a fan of small-leafed fragrant plants, Hoya Brevialata is for you. This beauty is one of the most compact Hoyas out there when young.

The Hoya Brevialata is also widely known as ‘Porcelain Flower’ and ‘Wax Flower.’ This tender perennial is easy to grow and undoubtedly a great addition to a Hoya connoisseur’s collection.

The Hoya Brevialata plant has needs similar to typical houseplants. It prefers bright, dappled sunlight and enjoys being watered regularly. It likes mildly acidic to neutral peat-based soils that have good drainage. It is a tropical species; therefore, it should be kept in humid environments of more than 60% humidity. Tolerates temperatures between 45 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (7 to 35 degrees Celsius).

The Hoya Brevialata plant naturally grows in Southeast Asia and some areas of Florida and Texas. This tropical beauty belongs to the Apocynaceae family, pronounced as ‘a-pos-ih-NAY-see-ee.’ It is mostly grown for its beautiful foliage and the caramel-like scent of its flowers.

Most Hoya Brevialata plant owners claim that its beauty increases as the plant matures. For an aesthetic look, this perennial beauty can be put in baskets or fancy pots. If you wish to grow a small-sized Hoya, Hoya Brevialata plant is an excellent option.

 

 

Hoya Brevialata Plant Care Guide

 

Soil

A plant’s development is highly dependent on its soil. Therefore, planting your plant in its preferred soil type is necessary. The Hoya Brevialata plant likes average, gritty soils that are well-draining. The soil should have good aeration and prevent any water accumulation.

The ideal soil type for the Hoya Brevialata plant is slightly acidic to neutral (6.1 to 7.5). The soil’s acidity ensures efficient nutrient absorption and minimizes the probability of infection. Furthermore, the soil should not hold any water or be too loose.

For Hoya plants, I recommend using peat moss combined with perlite, which makes an excellent soil medium. This will provide a well-aerated soil-mix for the Hoya Brevialata plant that will prevent water-logging and encourage growth.

Many Hoya Brevialata plant owners prefer growing the plant in hanging baskets. However, if you are using a pot, please ensure that it has an adequate number of drainage holes for the water to flow out from.

Also, please keep the soil slightly moist at all times to prevent dehydration and, ultimately, plant death. The USDA hardiness zone for Hoya Brevialata is 11.

 

Water

The watering schedule of a plant can make or break it. You must establish a regular and appropriate watering routine for your precious plant’s healthy growth. The Hoya Brevialata plant does not require anything other than the ordinary; watering it every other day is sufficient.

What works for most houseplants, including the Hoya Brevialata plant, is watering depending on the soil’s condition. When the plant’s soil is dry, add water till it is heavily moist to wet. On the other hand, when the soil seems very wet, withhold the water till it dries out slightly.

If you are having trouble assessing the overall plant’s soil condition, simply look at its top layer. When it seems dry, water it. However, when it is sufficiently moist, wait till it dries out slightly.

A rough watering schedule is watering the plant about 2 to 4 times a week. However, the plant’s soil is a better guide. And please remember to lower your watering frequency during the colder months of winter and fall.

I also recommend you use lukewarm water with low chlorine content.

 

Light

The Hoya Brevialata plant is a tropical species; therefore, it enjoys being kept in the sun. However, too much of anything is harmful. And so, the best lighting conditions for the Hoya Brevialata plant include bright, filtered sunlight.

Several settings, indoors and outdoors, offer these light conditions. One such location includes placing your Hoya Brevialata plant next to an entirely south or southwest facing window. This allows just the right amount of light to fall onto this perennial plant.

Another option is to put your Hoya Brevialata plant under partially-shaded coverings. You can do this on either your balcony or the rooftop. Both settings, as long as offering filtered light, work pretty well.

Alternatively, you can place your Hoya Brevialata plant under artificial growing lights or behind a shade cloth.

You might have to change your Hoya Brevialata plant’s location as the seasons change. A spot where sufficient light falls may not offer any light at all during the next season. Therefore, if you wish to grow it to its maximum potential, please make sure your Brevialata plant is placed in ideal lighting conditions throughout the year.

Insufficient sunlight can discourage new and mature growth. On the contrary, exposure to excessive light can cause leaf-scorching.

 

Temperature

The Hoya Brevialata plant belongs to the tropical species. Therefore, it likes slightly warm environments. Although not too sensitive about its temperature requirements, it is best to place it in its preferred temperature setting.

The Hoya Brevialata plant can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. However, specifically, it likes temperatures ranging from 45 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (7 to 35 degrees Celsius). Anything below or above this range can disrupt the plant’s growth and lead to adverse effects.

This temperature range is easy to maintain in most households. However, if you are a resident of one of the extreme climate regions, keeping your plant within this range might pose a problem.

If it is too hot, place the plant in the vicinity of an air conditioner. In contrast, if it is excessively cold, either bring your Hoya Brevialata plant inside the house or put it close to the heater. However, please ensure that the plant is not placed directly in contact with the air conditioner or heater.

Sudden temperature changes may shock the plant and cause problems for the Hoya Brevialata houseplant owner.

 

Humidity

Most of the Hoya plants love humidity. This includes the Hoya Brevialata plant. Due to its tropical origin, it likes high humidity levels throughout the day.

The Hoya Brevialata plant likes humidity levels ranging from 60% to 80% during the day and 80% to 100% at night. This is a significantly high range that many household inhabitants may find uncomfortable.

Simply place your plant in rooms that are not occupied at all times, such as the backyard or the rooftop. Maintaining such high moisture levels can also be a problem. But like the former issue, this problem also has several solutions.

For the all-natural individuals, spraying the Brevialata plant’s surroundings is a good option. You can also place all your houseplants together in one room so that there is ample humidity distribution.

For those who do not mind using a bit of technology, I suggest you get your hands on a humidifier. This device helps produce and maintain desired moisture levels.

You can also purchase a hygrometer for establishing optimum humidity levels for your Hoya Brevialata plant.

However, excessive humidity can cause several bacterial infections and diseases. Therefore, although a little tricky, keep a close eye on your Hoya Brevialata plant for any signs and symptoms of infection due to high humidity.

 

Fertilizer

The Hoya Brevialata is a small plant and does not require too much fertilizer. Since it is a flower-producing plant, the Porcelain beauty will appreciate fertilizers that are high in phosphorous.

A rough feeding schedule can be feeding your Brevialata plant 2 to 3 times a week. You can go for this option or use slow-release fertilizer all at once.

I recommend using a good-quality fertilizer about twice a week or whenever you think your Brevialata plant needs some love in the form of food. It is best to use high-nitrogen fertilizer that has a ratio of 2:1:2 or 3:1:2. Likewise, you can feed your plant once a month with a liquid slow-release fertilizer.

I advise you to spread the fertilizer a few inches away from the plant’s stem to prevent toxicity. However, please ensure it is within reach of the plant. The Brevialata plant’s feeding needs may change according to season. Therefore, feeding the plant during the dormant seasons is not essential.

Applying fertilizer to moist soil promotes efficient absorption and minimizes toxicity due to excess salts. I also suggest you use fertilizer containing both nitrogen and phosphorous in equal halves. The phosphorous encourages blooms, while the nitrogen helps the plant’s overall growth.

 

Repotting

Another reason why the Hoya Brevialata plant is an excellent houseplant choice is that it does not require frequent repotting. You can repot your Hoya Brevialata after every one to two years.

One reason for its late repotting is its compact size and moderate growth rate. The plant does not sprout overnight; therefore, you have plenty of time to admire your small Hoya Brevialata plant before it outgrows its pot and needs repotting.

When the Hoya Brevialata plant has sufficiently grown in its pot, shift it to a slightly bigger pot. Please ensure that the new container has plenty of drainage holes at the bottom that allow excess water to flow through unobstructed.

The new pot does not necessarily have to be huge. It should be only a few inches greater than the older one.

 

Pruning

As mentioned earlier, several houseplant owners grow their Hoya Brevialata plants in hanging baskets. Therefore, irregular and unruly vines may make your plant look unpleasant. In such a case, it is best to prune a vine or two to make your plant look well-maintained and attractive.

You can also prune your Hoya Brevialata plant to prevent the spread of infection. Infected leaves or vines may look excessively wrinkled or discolored. If you see any such leaves or vines, simply cut off with a pair of pruning shears.

To kill two birds with one stone, closely inspect your plant while you prune it. This will help you locate and fix any abnormality before it reaches other parts of the plant.

I also recommend you use clean and sterilized gardening equipment for all your plant. You can use plant-specific alcohol to clean your gardening tools.

 

Propagation

The propagation method for the Hoya Brevialata plant is fairly easy. It requires a healthy Brevialata plant, a pre-prepared soil mix, some water, and sterilized gardening tools. I suggest you propagate the plant during the summer or spring season.

 

Stem Cuttings Method

• Please start with sterilizing and sanitizing all your gardening tools. This will minimize the spread of disease and infection.
• Next, choose a non-flowering stem from the Brevialata plant and cut off a few vines from it.
• Take one of the cuttings. Preferably, choose the one with two or more nodes at the lower end.
• Take your prepared soil mix and fill a container with it. Cover with plastic.
• Plant the cuttings in the soil mix.
• You can add rooting powder to this mix, which promotes growth.
• Water and feed the plant for root formation.

Please be patient while the baby Brevialata plant grows. In the initial 14 days, the plant needs extra attention in the form of water and fertilizer. Also, please protect it from all possible infections.

Between weeks 3 to 6, the Brevialata plant gives rise to shoots. After about 2 to 3 months, the plant can be shifted into a bigger pot. You can then treat it as a healthy, mature Hoya Brevialata.

 

Blooms

The Hoya Brevialata plant has showy, fragrant blooms. The plant has whitish-pink flowers that produce a caramel-like scent. The flower size is less than an inch.

The Hoya Brevialata plant is not only grown for its foliage but also its pleasant caramel odor.

 

Growth

The Hoya Brevialata plant actively grows in the summer and spring seasons. It has a moderate growth rate, reaching heights from 10 to 12 feet (3 to 3.6 meters).

The leaves for this plant grow to about 1.2 to 1.5 inches (3-4 cm) and appear as masses of coins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Common Problems for Hoya Brevialata

Mealy Bugs

Mealybugs are small insects covered with a white coating that feeds on plant juices. They also secrete a sticky substance called honeydew that attracts ants, adding to the plant owner’s problems. Furthermore, they promote sooty mold growth. A plant infected with mealybugs has whitish leafy axils.

Use a bactericidal spray to get rid of the mealybugs.

 

Scale Insects

Scale insects can suck the sap from a plant’s leaves, stems, and stalks. When infected, the Brevialata plant has large waxy white patches on the stem and stalks.

To inspect your plant for scale insects, turn the Brevialata plant’s leaves over and look for small raised bumps. If you see any, the plant is most likely infested by scale insects. To treat your plant, spray it with insecticidal spray.

 

Aphids

Aphids are insects that often form clusters on young shoots and flower buds. They can also breed under old leaves. They can attack a plant when it is excessively moist. Their number can increase significantly within a few days.

When infected, the plant’s buds do not open, and the leaves are twisted. New growth may also be affected. Aphids also produce honeydew, which attracts more insects.

To get rid of aphids, use an insecticidal spray and spray your Brevialata plant with it.

 

Sooty Mold

A frequent problem of the Hoya plants is Sooty Mold. It mostly occurs due to the nectar-producing feature of the Brevialata plants. It causes the formation of black molds on the plant’s leaves.

Luckily, the solution is pretty simple. To get rid of the mold, wipe it off with an antibacterial-sprayed damp cloth. Likewise, you can mist the Brevialata plant with antibacterial spray/liquid.

 

Tips for Growing Hoya Brevialata

Following are some tips:

• Use high phosphorous fertilizer.
• Place the plant in partially lit areas.
• Use water with little to no chlorine.
• Clean your gardening equipment before each use.
• Maintain the optimal growing conditions throughout the year.
• Use well-draining potting soil.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Hoya Brevialata

 

Can Hoya Brevialata plants grow in low light?

The Hoya Brevialata plants are not too fussy about their light requirements. They can grow under low light. However, it is best to grow them in bright, dappled sunlight for blooms.

 

How do I save my overwatered Hoya Brevialata plant?

Quickly remove the plant from its soil and dry off any excess water from the roots. Lay the plant in partial sunlight and let the roots dry out.

 

Why are my Hoya Brevialata plant’s leaves turning brown?

There are several reasons for this: an inappropriate watering schedule, stagnant air, overuse of fertilizer, etc. Please look into each of these problems and fix what needs improvement.

 

Is Hoya Brevialata a succulent plant?

The Hoya Brevialata plant is a succulent species.

 

Are Hoya Brevialata plants evergreen?

The Hoya Brevialata plants remain green and colorful throughout the year when given the right care, despite the changing seasons.

 

How long do Hoya Brevialata plants live for?

The Hoya Brevialata plants are durable. Therefore, they live for 2 to 3 years or more when well sought after.

Conclusion

The Hoya Brevialata plant is easy to care for and an evergreen species. It has average needs, and so is hassle-free. It looks stunning, hanging from baskets or in decorative pots. It will not only brighten up your house but also fill it with a pleasant caramel-like scent.

Most parts of this plant are non-toxic. Therefore, it is not dangerous. However, it is best to keep it away from your pets or kids.