The Hoya wayetii retains all the details of a Hoya that we have come to know and love. Yet it does this while offering a little more depth in terms of its physical appearance.
Better still, with the right amount of Hoya wayetii care, this is one plant that, when blooms gives the most spectacular flowers of the Hoya family.
Here I uncover the basics of Hoya wayetii care, offering my advice on how you can ensure this plant remains in peak form year after year.
Table of Contents
Hoya Wayetii Care
For optimal Hoya Wayetii care, use well-draining soil, provide bright, indirect sunlight, water when the soil dries, maintain temperatures between 60-85°F (15-30°C), and keep the humidity at 60-80%. Avoid direct sunlight exposure.
Soil
First things first, well-draining soil is essential for the Hoya wayetii. This is primarily due to the origins of Hoyas, which are an epiphyte species.
A soil mix that allows the water to flow unrestricted ensures your Wayetii will not retain wet roots, which these plants detest.
For this reason, I use a bark mix and soil that is higher in perlite for this very reason. Such a substrate is fast draining and encourages a healthier Hoya root system.
This is not only essential for growth but also promotes better Hoya wayetii care when it comes to the flowering process.
Light
Often trained to trail as a hanging basket piece, the Hoya wayetii works wonders as an indoor hanging plant. This elevation means it can stay up high and devour as much of the natural light as it can.
The Wayetii requires a higher light exposure than other Hoya types and around 70% to 90% of sunlight per day.
However, I cannot stress enough that direct sunlight is a no-go for the Hoya wayetii. So, you may want to refrain from hanging it right next to the window!
For the absolute best Hoya wayetii care, I strongly recommend keeping Hoya wayetii in a spot where it gets a great deal of indirect sunlight. But, equally, this means ensuring it’s never at risk of its leaves burning from direct sun exposure.
A place where your Wayetii can get a good dose of six hours of minimum light is perfect. In fact, the more natural light a Hoya wayetii gets, the fuller and indeed regular its bloom is.
Watering
According to Hoya expert Doug Chamberlain, getting the right watering schedule for any Hoya is often problematic for many new to this species.
Admittedly, I regularly hear of people overwatering Hoyas because they think the soil looks dry.
But the reality is, the Wayetii, like many other Hoyas, hates being waterlogged.
As a guide, I always let the top soil of my Wayetii dry out, then keep dipping my finger into the soil, around two inches, allowing it to tell me when it needs a drink.
When the soil further down is almost dried out entirely, I know this is the time to start watering.
I run the water through the Wayetii until it spills out of the bottom of the pot. Then I allow it to drain before placing it back into its resting place.
I never let my Hoyas sit in water, watering them from the top instead.
This, coupled with good draining soil, should provide continued healthy Hoya wayetii care.
Temperature
Due to its origins, a Hoya wayetii will not tolerate temperature that drops below 50°F. So, it is worth bearing this in mind, especially when the temperature falls in the evenings.
I aim for an environment of 60°F to as much as 85°F during the day for my Hoya wayetii.
This does, however, mean considering the outdoor conditions during those summer months and, indeed, winter months as a factor here and adjusting my Hoya wayetii care accordingly.
Humidity
Once again, as opposed to other Hoyas, the Hoya wayetii prefers a little more humidity than its other brothers and sisters. I would go as far as to say the Wayetii positively loves humid conditions!
When you consider that most Hoyas, in general, are South Asia originators, it makes sense to ensure they receive the right level of humidity in the home. This allows them to emulate as best as they can, such favorable conditions.
With my own Hoya wayetii care, I have found that this level should be slightly more than standard Hoya types and moderate to high, around 60% to 80% humidity, overall.
Fertilizer
Feeding a Hoya wayetii is often an individual choice between owners. I personally like to offer a more natural process here during the summer months only when the plant is actively growing.
For me, this includes mixing dried green tea leaves into the water or sprinkling a layer of ground coffee granules around the top layer of soil.
However there are many reputable fertilizers on the market that are specially designed for Hoya wayetii care.
These can be used to feed say two to three times per month during the growing season. Such fertilizers will usually come in the form of pellets or liquid choices.
Propagation
The Wayetii is a hoya variety that I have found to be easy to propagate. Therefore, I have ended up with many successfully bred specimens dotted around my home!
The key here is all in the nodes, with one simple, clean-cut below to start your Hoya wayetii care off on a whole new plant.
So, when you do choose to propagate, you can do so with confidence choosing to reproduce in either soil or water.
Growth
If you know your Hoyas, you will know that this is the fabulous plant family that is, unfortunately, some of the slowest growers. The Hoya wayetii is no exception here!
For this reason, I suggest the Wayetii is perhaps better suited to those plant lovers who aren’t in a rush to see growth action.
If kept in the right conditions and Hoya wayetii care is undertaken as discussed here, you may well be looking at your Hoya wayetii blooming yearly.
Though often, I’ve heard of some taking around three years to offer their very first flower.
Potting
When you get your first Hoya wayetii, try to keep it in the nursery pot it arrives in for as long as possible. I know many people understandably are keen to pot their Wayetii as soon as they bring it home.
But potting quickly can shock the plant – doing more harm than good.
When it does come to repotting, you will usually find that the roots have begun to push through the bottom of the pot in vast quantities. Often, hoyas like to be rootbound, and the Wayetii it is no different here.
However, your current pot may feel full to bursting, or you find yourself watering your Wayetii more than usual. This is then a good sign that it is time to re-pot.
As hoyas are well known for being slow growers, I like to select the next size pot up, around two inches larger every time, before I re-pot.
This ensures the best Hoya wayetii care as you are not potting your Wayetii in an oversized pot that requires more water, thus leaving its roots to rot.
How to Propagate Your Hoya wayetii – Step by Step Hoya Wayetii Care
Propagating Hoya wayetii in Soil
Make up your pot of soil that you want to propagate your Hoya wayetii in. Ensure this is an excellent, thorough combination and well-draining choice and that the container is small enough to start but accommodate your cutting.
Select a healthy section of your hoya that is well established, and that can offer two visible nodes.
This should be a cutting that is pest-free. It should also be a cutting that will not severely affect the mother plant you are taking it from.
Cut just under the node of the Hoya wayetii. You can find this area where a leaf or new stem forms.
If you want to propagate a bushier Hoya wayetii, rather than a leggy one, it is worth taking a couple more cuttings here to ensure a fuller pot.
Transfer the cuttings to your pot mixture and gently place them into the middle, covering the roots lightly with the mixture to settle.
Water your propagated plant thoroughly and allow it to dry out before placing it into its designated spot.
For some people, this may be a greenhouse. Still, I find it just as useful to place these junior plants in the same area as the parent plants.
This is because the conditions for your Hoya wayetii care are already proven.
Propagating Hoya wayetii in water
Follow the steps as you would in 1 to 3 above, propagating your Hoya wayetii by soil.
Using a bottle or glass of your choice, fill it with water.
Place the Hoya wayetii cutting into the water, so the bottom node is fully immersed.
After a few days/weeks of witnessing roots from the bottom of this cutting, transfer your cutting to the soil to continue with your Hoya wayetii care propagation process.
Common Problems with Hoya Wayetii
Personally, I have never had a problem when it comes to Hoya wayetii. So far, with the correct care, this plant has flourished, and I have managed to stave off potential issues.
So too, it would seem to do many other Wayetii owners, making this the easier yet again of hoya varieties.
However, there are a couple of pests I regularly keep a lookout for during my routine Hoya wayetii care schedule.
These are mealybugs and fungus gnats.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are a hoya owner’s number one nemesis! They often present themselves by show of several of the leaves turning yellow.
Mealybugs are an aggressive pest that suck the juice from your plant – hence the leaves turning yellow.
When left untreated, they can spread to your other plants.
Mealybugs hide in crevices and in the stems of plants, and they can quickly lay a lot of eggs. Yet you can rid of them by quarantining your Hoya wayetii.
Place it in the shower and spray some short sharp blasts with the hose. Then, rinse with warm water.
To finish these little critters off, I then take a horticultural oil spray and dose the hoya with it, aiming all over the plant to kill the eggs and the insects on contact.
This is not a pesticide, rather an oily substance which will not harm the plant but will coat the critters and their offspring.
Fungus gnats
Fungus gnats are a common problem for plant owners in general. For myself, I have only encountered them once with a Hoya plant.
Still, it was an experience I have no intention of repeating!
To combat fungus gnats, what has personally worked for me was ensuring that the soil is never waterlogged.
Then I sprinkle a little cinnamon onto the top layer of my plant soil and mix in gently.
Finally, I place a layer of pebbles around the top of my plant.
This is great for Hoya wayetii care as it means the fungus gnats cannot get to the soil and, therefore, can’t lay their larvae in it.
Tips for Hoya Wayetii Care to Keep it Problem-Free
Inspect your Wayetii every day – where possible. Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to this hoya.
Do not be afraid to put your fingers into the soil – get a good idea of its watering requirements.
Never be tempted to overwater – you can always salvage a Hoya wayetii that needs proper watering.
But it is often impossible to rescue one that has rotted roots due to over-excessive water build-up.
Do not move when your Wayetii when established – many plants like to be kept in one spot, so when you find a place that your Wayetii thrives in, leave it there.
Keep rotating for the light – Though you should not move your Wayetii, it will benefit immensely from regular rotation.
I prefer to do this to allow the leaves to all get equal exposure to the light; therefore, they grow symmetrically.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hoya wayetii
Can I use tap water for my Hoya wayetii?
Avoid tap water for Hoya wayetii. Mimic wild conditions with collected rainwater or deionized, kettle-cooled water. Tap water often contains harsh chemicals.
Should I propagate Hoya wayetii by soil or water?
You can propagate your Hoya wayetii using either soil or water. Soil is more common, while water propagation is gaining popularity. However, water propagation requires patience as roots take longer to form and must later be transferred to soil-based pots once fully established.
Conclusion
Ultimately, though all hoya plants require due care and diligence, to get the absolute best from a Hoya wayetii, this is one of the waxes that demands daily vigilance.
This is especially important if it is to reward you considerably in the long term.
With the right Hoya wayetii Care and attention, a Wayetii will eventually give out one of the most beautiful wax flowers ever seen in this family. Thus, making your time and patience even more worthwhile.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.