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The Red Star Hoya Imperialis – Its Care and Propagation

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Plants like the Hoya Imperialis are every gardener’s dream. These plants can give every home a beautiful do-over and transport the residents to an elvish garden filled with beauty and pleasant fragrance. However, this is only possible if you care for your Hoya Imperialis and make it a plant worthy of its history.

The problem with plants like the Hoya Imperialis is their picky nature. These plants cannot withstand diverse environments like some of the more rugged houseplants that you can find in average houses.

If you want the Hoya Imperialis to survive and thrive in your home, you’ll have to pay attention to its care.

Hoya Imperialis
Hoya Imperialis via Reddit

Caring for the Hoya Imperialis (The Essentials)

The Hoya Imperialis is a shallow-rooted plant that does best in a basket. These plants are also native to Southeast Asia’s humid and hot forests. These two simple statements allow us to analyze the requirements for its successful growth.

All of the requirements have been divided into smaller sections, related to:

  • How much light should a Hoya Imperialis get?
  • What should the temperature be for a Hoya Imperialis?
  • What is the ideal pH of the soil for a Hoya Imperialis?
  • How should I pot a Hoya Imperialis?
  • How often do I have to prune the Hoya Imperialis?
  • How often should I water a Hoya Imperialis?
  • How do I fertilize the soil for a Hoya Imperialis?

Once you understand all of these factors, you will take better care of your Hoya Imperialis. The first requirement for the better health and growth of a Hoya Imperialis also happens to be the most important one.

How much light should a Hoya Imperialis get?

The Hoya Imperialis need between 8 to 10 hours of indirect light every day to grow to their full potential. They need warm indirect sunlight or an alternative source. Never expose them to intense direct sunlight because it will harm them more than helping them.

What should the temperature be for a Hoya Imperialis?

The Hoya Imperialis should be kept in a reasonably warm environment because cold weather is poisonous to it. You should keep the temperature above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and ideally between 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

In addition to the temperature, the humidity for a Hoya Imperialis should be regulated between 40% and 60%. You should mist (spray) your Hoya Imperialis two to three times a week. It allows the waxy leaves to get moisture.

What is the ideal pH of the soil for a Hoya Imperialis?

The Hoya Imperialis, like most Hoyas, grows well in neutral soil with pH ranging between 5 and 7. Acidic or basic soil destroys its roots and makes the leaves discolored.

If you have to choose between slightly acidic and slightly basic soil, go with acidic. But again, try to keep the soil close to 7 pH for ideal growth.

How should I pot a Hoya Imperialis?

The Hoya Imperialis, like the other Hoyas, is a climbing plant. Its roots are small and thin, designed to grow in airy conditions. Therefore, when potting your Hoya Imperialis, remember to use soil with good drainage.

Use a pot that gives your plant room to breathe. Ideally, you should use peat-based soils that allow water to drain properly.

Dense or loamy soils that retain too much water will choke your Hoya Imperialis into the ground (Figuratively and literally). Adding perlite to the soil is also a good option since it keeps the soil bound but not dense.

Hoya Imperialis 2
Hoya Imperialis via Botanyshitposts

How often do I have to prune a Hoya Imperialis?

The Hoya Imperialis is primarily placed in hanging baskets or alongside some support. The vines and stems of the Hoya Imperialis cling to these supports and sometimes hang from the baskets, giving an aesthetically pleasing scene.

However, sometimes the vines and stems become too long and entangled, preventing the growth of the main plant.

In these cases, you should prune the Hoya Imperialis as you see fit. Remove any infected leaves and vines that have lost their color. Don’t remove the peduncles and give the places where you’ve cut breathing space. These cuts are where new stems develop, and growth occurs. 

How often should I water a Hoya Imperialis?

In the summer, the Hoya Verticillata requires a lot of moisture in the soil and the air surrounding it. If you live in a warm region, you will have to water your Hoya Imperialis at least three to four times per week.

A good indicator of when to water your plant is the topsoil. If it’s dry, water your plant; if it isn’t, then don’t.

Typically, the Hoya Imperialis needs less water in winter because it doesn’t grow in cold weather. You should water it sparingly in winter. Wait for the topsoil and middle soil to dry out moderately before watering your plant again.

How do I fertilize the soil for a Hoya Imperialis?

Since the main attraction and attachment of a Hoya Imperialis is its blossom, you should use a bloom booster. These fertilizers facilitate the growth of flowers and make the blossom more bountiful. Naturally, the Hoya Imperialis only blossoms in warm weather, so use fertilizer only during warm weather.

Refrain from feeding your plant during winters. Also, before applying fertilizer, hydrate your plant. To use your fertilizer efficiently, you should also dilute it before application. You can find specific information about dilution ratios on the packaging of the fertilizer that you are using.

How do you propagate a Hoya Imperialis?

The best way to propagate a Hoya Imperialis is through its stems. You cut off a healthy stem that is at least 4 to 5 inches long. The stem should also have some fresh green leaves. You should shave off the bottom-most leaves to facilitate the growth of new roots.

Place the stem in a water container and wait for it to grow roots. You have to give the container enough sunlight, and you should also change the water every few days. Once the roots have developed, place them in the soil. That’s all there is to propagating a Hoya Imperialis.


Conclusion

If you get a grip on the basics of plant grooming, like watering, pruning, and placement, you can grow any plant into a gorgeous specimen.

You know everything about the care routines; what you need now is consistency and unshakeable resolve to watch your plant grow into a beautiful clump of vines and flowers.