Add a touch of jungle to your home with this stunning hoya. Similar to other hoyas, it might look a little too exotic for beginners but caring for your Kentiana does not require time-consuming or complex tasks. This lovely plant will flourish with a few simple considerations and our guide has them all!
Table of Contents
The Benefits of Choosing a Hoya Kentiana
- Suitable for beginners.
- Exotic appearance.
- Non-toxic.
- Can be propagated at home.
- Evergreen.
- Makes a great hanging basket plant.
Origins and Appearance
Similar to many other hoya species, Kentiana hails all the way from the Philippines. They are epiphytes. The latter describes a group of plants that need other plants for structural support. Most hoyas love clinging to trees. Contrary to what appears like a parasitic relationship, Kentiana does not damage its “host,” simply anchoring to it and surviving on sunlight and the nutrients from any soil and organic material that gathers around its roots.
This hoya has spiky, thick leaves that are almost succulent-like in appearance. The plant is also evergreen. Sometimes, you can get a Hoya Kentiana with leaves that are splashed with white. Whether you own this variegated variety or the usual all-green wonder, both produce red flowers with a sweet scent.
Temperature and Humidity
Provide your waxy delight with the right amount of sunlight, heat and humidity – and you can look forward to a plant that is healthy, gorgeous and long-lived. Let’s have a closer look at what your Kentiana needs to thrive.
Avoid Hot Spots
Sure, this hoya is from a tropical country but since it has evolved to live in trees under the shelter of leaves, Kentiana loves indirect sunlight. Choose a location where the sunlight is bright but keep your plant in the shade.
Make sure that your hoya gets enough light otherwise it might fall ill. During the warmer months, keep it in indirect light (as direct sunlight can lead to severe damage) but when winter swings by and the sun is weaker, you can actually place it in direct sunlight for a few hours every day.
Mild to Warm Temperatures
Your tropical friend thrives in temperatures that range from 65 to 80° degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 26° degrees Celsius). While your hoya can certainly exist comfortably in lower temperatures, it should ideally never drop below 50°F (10°C). Since they rarely encounter this type of nippy temperatures in their native habitat, Hoya Kentiana can suffer ill effects when kept in cold conditions for too long.
High Humidity
Most tropical plants thrive in high humidity and Hoya Kentiana is no different. If your local weather only offers low or average air moisture, there are ways to give your leafy friend the right conditions.
A popular technique is to fill a flat tray with pebbles and water. Put your hoya on the pebbles. As the water evaporates, it will create high humidity around the plant. If your hoya lives in a hanging basket, there is an alternative. Instead of placing it on a tray, give it a regular misting.
The right humidity is important – especially if you want to see this hoya’s elusive flowers. They are truly beautiful, appearing in clusters of wine-red blooms with a yellow corona.
Watering and Feeding
Watering Tips
When it comes to H20, this hoya is great for beginners or plant lovers who cannot juggle complicated water needs. Since it has succulent-type leaves and is an epiphyte by nature, Kentiana can store a good amount of water and also prefers to dry out a little between waterings. Do the finger test to gauge when you should offer your plant a drink. Stick your finger into the soil, approximately 2 inches (5 cm) deep. If the soil is wet, wait for 2 or 3 more days. When dry, you can water the container.
Feeding Tips
Hoya Kentiana fares particularly well with organic fertilizers. When synthetic products are used, you run the risk of overfeeding or even root burn. A completely safe option is fish emulsion. It packs a powerful nutrient boost that does not affect plants negatively. It can also be applied as a root or leaf fertilizer and can be given as often as you want.
But as a rule, feeding your hoya every second or third week with fish emulsion is more than sufficient. If you want to use a synthetic product, make sure to follow the instructions on the package to avoid damaging your plant.
Soil and Repotting
Airy Soil is a Must
As a plant that clings to trees, Hoya Kentiana’s roots have evolved in airy conditions. The worst thing for this plant is a dense, heavy soil that stays waterlogged. The perfect potting mix for your hoya should always be peat-based. You can even use soil with lots of bark pieces or grab a bag of potting soil meant for orchids. The latter usually contains peat moss and perlite which is a perfect combination.
Low Repotting Rate
Here’s another friendly feature. Your Hoya Kentiana does not need to be repotted as frequently as other houseplants. Forget about getting a new container six months from now or every year. This plant thrives when it is rootbound (a trait from its epiphyte days).
However, repotting might be necessary when the roots become too wily. Once you notice that they are peeking out everywhere, from the drainage holes most likely, then it’s time for a new container. Get one that is about 2 inches (5 cm) bigger in diameter and has a bottom with proper drainage.
Get all the best tips on how to re-pot your house plants.
Pruning
When to Prune a Hoya Kentiana
The main purpose of pruning is to encourage new growth. But Hoya Kentiana does not need this type of intervention. In fact, it can set your plant back. You should only snip your Kentiana for the following reasons.
- To remove diseased parts.
- Taking cuttings for propagation.
Pro Tip: Use a clean and sharp pair of scissors. This will reduce damage and prevent the transmission of diseases between your plants.
Pests and Diseases
This Hoya variety is a tough customer. But incorrect care or a nearby plant with a bug infestation can cause problems. Let’s look at the most common issues that you can expect and more importantly, how to squash them.
Sucking Pests
As a plant parent, you will undoubtedly encounter sucking insects like mealybugs, aphids, mites, thrips and scale bugs. You can treat your plant with an organic insecticide or horticultural soap to either get rid of them or as a preventative measure.
Root Rot
This deadly condition is caused by overwatering. With too much moisture in the soil, a particular fungus takes hold and attacks the hoya’s roots. Eventually, they turn mushy and black. Root rot is, unfortunately, the most common reason why first-time growers lose their Hoya Kentiana, so watch the amount of water you give your plant.
Treating root rot is difficult. You can snip off the diseased roots (if enough healthy roots are present). Replant it in a new, sterilized pot with new soil. Don’t use the old soil again as the fungus will just destroy the next plant.
FAQ
The lovely red blooms are not just prized for their looks. This hoya produces an amazing fragrance that some have likened to sweet butterscotch.
Yes, it is completely normal. When Hoya Kentiana receives adequate lighting, the leaves will display a blush of red.
Since root rot from overwatering is a common problem, one might be forgiven for giving too little water. The main sign of a thirsty Kentiana is soft and droopy leaves, especially the lower ones near the base.
Hoya Kentiana is a very slow grower. This is perfect if you want a plant that does not spiral out of control every few months. For this reason, pruning is also not necessary as it won’t encourage new growth.
Yes, you can. This hoya can be propagated through stem cuttings. Just remember that when you remove any parts of the plant, it will take a long time to grow back.