How To Propagate Hoya!
One of my favorite things about Hoya is how easy it is to propagate, which is a bonus for my wallet! With this plant, there is no need to go buy more because propagating Hoya is so simple and rewarding!
There are, of course, many different ways to propagate Hoya. I am no expert, but this method has always given me the best results, no matter the Hoya variety (take into consideration that some Hoyas are more challenging than others to root).
In this guide, I will explain why this method is my favorite and mention other methods that could work for you!
Things You Will Need
a Hoya cutting with a couple of nodes
potting soil and a few soil amendments
a small pot with a drainage hole
water
The rooting hormone of your choice (optional)
clear plastic baggie/dome and heat mat (optional)
A healthy plant will make for a healthy clipping
Cut It!
Just as you would propagating any other plant, begin with clean, sharp pruners! Cut a healthy stem with 1-2 leaves as well as a couple of nodes. The nodes on the stem are non-root tissues that will grow into adventitious roots. The stem of your cutting should be 4-5 inches (10-15 centimeters); having a longer stem will produce more roots.
A great depiction of nodes on the stem
Propagating in the spring or summer is ideal. The Hoya is actively growing and will be easier to root than in the winter when it is sleeping.
It is natural for the Hoya to produce white-ish, yellow or clear sap once it has been cut. It is optional to let the Hoya clipping callus over before potting it. If you are interested in trying this, let the clipping sit for a few hours until the end is dried out and there is no longer sap or juices seeping out of the plant where the stem was cut. This can help prevent diseases and stem rotting during the propagation process.
It is also optional to dip the end of the cutting in a rooting hormone, which encourages faster rooting of the plant. If you do not have rooting hormone accessible, raw unfiltered honey or pure cinnamon powder trigger the same accelerated growth response. (Letting growth happen naturally is also sufficient!)
Root It!
When rooting a Hoya clipping there are two methods that are most popular and widely used; rooting in water and rooting in soil. Rooting in soil is my preferred technique and is simple no matter which variety of Hoya you are propagating. I have been very successful when rooting in water, however, you do run the risk of shocking the plant when transferring from water to soil. Rooting in soil is simple because the clipping does not need to be transferred once the roots develop.
When deciding which method is best for you and your plant, evaluate the predicted difficulty of rooting that variety. Thin, fuzzy stemmed Hoyas and Hoyas that have a woodier stem tend to have a harder time rooting. If you are knowledgable on the origin of your plant, varieties that grow at higher altitudes naturally are usually more finicky cultivators. The most common Hoya (varieties sold at most nurseries) such as Hoya Carnosa, Hoya Multiflora, and Hoya Kentiana will root beautifully in both soil and water.
Propagation of my Hoya carnosa clipping in water
Pot it!
It is customary for Hoyas to be planted in small pots. Make sure the nodes are covered in soil and the stem is secure.
Plant your cutting in an airy soil that has good drainage (containing perlite, vermiculite, or clean sand). The oxygen that the airy soil provides will help the roots grow. Soils that are denser tend to stay soggy and will be too wet for your plant once the roots have been developed. However, until your cutting has developed roots, the soil needs to be consistently moist; hose the cutting until water leaks from the drainage hole. Once the plant has rooted cut back and water at the normal rate you would for a mature hoya.
Orchid bark, perlite & soil
Hoyas appreciate environments of high humidity so it is optional to place a plastic baggie over the top of the pot or keep the plant in a propagation dome to hold in the moisture. Another way to keep a Hoya humid and warm is to place it over a heat mat. This is completely optional and there is no need to purchase one for this purpose. However, feel free to play around with this option, it does speed up the rooting process magnificently.
Grow it!
The morning sun is the best for your new hoya plant. Hoyas need gentle light but lots of it! Many hours of low light exposure will result in a happy Hoya! Be conscientious not to drown your plant and only water when soil is completely dry. Similarly to most houseplants, overwatering a Hoya will lead to root rot. Lastly, refrain from repotting your hoya as it matures! Hoya thrive under the stress of being root-bound and the familiarity of their original pot!
My happy Hoya clipping in a north-facing window
Hoyas are lovely propagators and you will be an expert in no time! I would love to see your successes (or failures! It happens to the best of us!). Share your experience in the Hoya Blue Plant Nursery! Click here.