Hoya Pubicalyx - Plant Care Guide

Table of Contents

• Light Requirements
• Watering
• Soil
• Temperature and Humidity
• Fertilizing
• How to Propagate Hoya Pubicalyx
• Common Pests and Diseases
• Hoya Pubicalyx - Toxic to Cats?
• The Bottom Line

Hoya pubicalyx is a hoya variety native to the Philippines - known for its lance-shaped leaves and mottled fleck patterning, it is a plant that, when taken care of right, will bless you with a rich bloom of white, pink, purple and red flowers. Here’s everything you need to know about how to take care of this plant so that it grows nice and well.

Light Requirements

When it comes to Hoya pubicalyx light requirements, it is just like other types of the hoya plant - it thrives when provided with bright, indirect sunlight. While morning or afternoon direct sunlight also won’t harm it that much (provided you don’t make it a daily habit), you should avoid exposing your plant to midday sun at all costs, as its harshness can cause your plant to have scorched leaves, among other damages.

Watering

Hoyas are semi-succulent plants, meaning they can retain water they consume in their leaves, prolonging the times between waterings. Generally speaking, you should wait until the top part of the soil is dry before feeding them more water - overwatering can lead to root rot, one of the most common health problems of this specific plant species.

The season you’re in also impacts how often you should water your Hoya pubicalyx - in winter, the plants do not require as much water as during summer months, so doing so even every two weeks should be more than fine.

Soil

Soil can play a significant role in whether your hoya plant will grow beautifully, or not grow at all. That’s why, when deciding on which soil to use for your Hoya pubicalyx, make sure you avoid anything heavy - potting mixes made of clay or similar materials can lead to waterlogging - a situation where not enough oxygen is reaching the roots, preventing CO2 from diffusing away, leading to the roots dying off and becoming an ideal habitat for decay organisms.

Temperature and Humidity

Hoya pubicalyx likes to be in warm environments - its ideal temperature is anywhere between 60°F and 85°F (16°C to 29°C), although it can also tolerate temperatures between 50°F and 60°F. As for humidity, it enjoys high levels, between 40% and 60% - if your home is more on the low levels, you can help yourself with a humidifier.

Fertilizing

Generally speaking, hoyas don’t need that much fertilizing - doing so once a month during their growing season should be more than fine for them. During winter months, fertilizers are not necessary.

How to Propagate Hoya Pubicalyx

The propagation process is actually very simple, and involves just a few steps:

1. Choose the right stem to propagate: Pick a stem with at least three nodes and remove it from the mature plant using pruning shears or scissors. Remove the leaves to expose the nodes but keep the ones at the top intact.
2. Place the stem in water: Fill a small container with water and place your cutting in it, leaving the leaves above the surface.
3. Take care of it and watch it grow: Place your hoya stem somewhere it will receive bright and indirect sunlight, and replace the water weekly. After a few weeks, you should be able to see roots forming. Once they reach 1 to 2 inches, you can plant your hoya in a well-draining soil.

Common Pests and Diseases

Hoya pubicalyx is a pretty resistant plant - however, there are still some things that can affect it negatively, including:

• Pests - When it comes to pests, hoyas are usually affected after another houseplant has been infected contrary to the infestation starting with them. If you see any mealybugs, spider mites, scales, or aphids on your plant, isolate it from your hoya to prevent further spread of the infestation.
• Overwatering - Watering your Hoya pubicalyx too much is one of the main issues for this group of plants, and it can lead to root rot.
• Temperature fluctuations - Hoyas do not like sudden temperature changes, so try to keep your plant in a room with a more or less stable temperature.
• Unmet light requirements - Exposing your plant to too much or providing it with too little light can be damaging to your Hoya pubicalyx.

Hoya Pubicalyx - Toxic to Cats?

If you have cats, Hoya pubicalyx is one of the plants you can grow in your house without worrying - it is non-toxic to cats or other pets. However, it should be kept in a safe place where the likelihood of your furry friend making it fall is low.

The Bottom Line

That’s about it for our Hoya pubicalyx care guide - hoyas are pretty forgiving, so even if you don’t have a green thumb but still want to add some colors to your space, they might be a good place to start. Hoya pubicalyx is just one variety - there are many more, including hoya kerrii, hoya australis, hoya obovata and more, so don’t hesitate to browse through them and find your favorite.