Welcome to our guide to hoya retusa care, covering all you need to know about care and propagation…
Hoya Retusa Care Summary
| Light needs: | Bright indirect sunlight. |
| Watering needs: | Check the plant each week and only water it when the soil is dry. |
| Fertilizer: | A well diluted balanced plant feed monthly in the spring and summer months. |
| Soil: | A very well draining mix of cactus compost and orchid bark. |
| Humidity: | 60%. |
| Temperature: | 10-25°C (50 – 77°F). |
| Where to buy: | Try our list of Rare Plant Shops. |
| Common issues: | Root rot from overwatering. |
Introduction
The Hoya retusa grows wild in the Himalayas and is known for its long tubular leaves. We cover all you need to know to get the best out of it. It flowers a bit different to other hoyas, it puts out peduncles like other hoyas, but instead of a half-ball cluster of flowers at the end, you get just one solitary flower per peduncle.
See also: Hoya Pachyclada, Hoya Polyneura, Hoya Serpens, Hoya Heuschkeliana, Hoya Imbricata.
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Hoya Retusa Light Needs
Bright indirect sunlight is best. They can be fine in medium indirect sunlight too, but the chance of flowering is much less.
How Often to Water
Check the Plant each week and only water it when the soil is almost dry. Root rot can be a big issue and these plants are fine to almost dry out, so if in doubt: underwater. If they dry out for too long the slender leaves may dry out, so check the soil weekly.
Fertilizer
You can use a balanced plant feed monthly in the spring and summer months. Make sure it is well diluted.
Hoya Retusa Soil
A very well draining soil is best, you can mix cactus compost and orchid bark, so that the mixture does not hang on to any water. For more on hoya soil (what to buy and how to make your own) see our guide here: Hoya Soil.
When To Repot
Check your plant yearly in spring and repot it if the roots are quite crowed. Hoyas will be ok if a little bit crowded. I keep my hoyas in terracotta pots as they don’t hold on to water so much.
Humidity
60% is best, they will be ok if it drops a bit below this though. It will be ok in most homes.
Temperature
10-25°C (50 – 77°F) is ideal during the day and down to freezing at night.
Tip: they tend to bloom when the temperatures drop at night, remember these plants are from the Himalayas.
Hoya Retusa Propagation
You can root a Hoya Retusa in water by taking a stem cutting that is a few nodes long, so you can strip leaves from the bottom nodes that will be underwater and keep leaves on the top few nodes. So you want to make sure the cutting is long enough. Once you’ve taken the leaves form the bottom nodes, leave it for a day so that the places the plant has been cut can heal over. Then put it in a jar of water to root.
It can take a couple of months for the roots to fully develop, but you should see some small growth in a week or so. Once the roots are well established you can pot it up into a good hoya soil mix.
Hoya Retusa Flower
They have white flowers with dark burgundy centers, which sometimes grown on their own ass justo ne flowers, and other times in clsuters all over the plant.
Is It Toxic To Cats?
They are toxic to cats if eaten, and can cause vomiting and numbness. So seek vets advice immediately if your pet eats any.
For more on hoyas see our hoya category with all our hoya care guides.
Hoya Retusa USDA Zone
They can live outdoors in zones 10-11.
How Fast Does Hoya Retusa Grow?
They are an average grower for a hoya.
Hoya Retusa Vs Linearis
They are similar hoyas but can be told part as the linearis is a more vibrant green color and it’s leave trail downwards. The retusa is a paler green and although it also vines downwards, some the leaves point off a different angles, rather than hang straight down.
Where To Buy
Try our list of Rare Plant Shops.
Other Names
Grass-leaved hoya.
Hoya Retusa Care FAQs and Common Problems
Root rot from overwatering and soggy soil is a big issue with these plants, let them dry out. Also check for pests each time you water.
Other Articles You Might Like
Hope you liked our article, you might also like these articles: Hoya Imbricata, Hoya Mathilde, Hoya Pubicalyx Care.
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