The wax flower (also known as ‘ Hoya carnosa ‘) is a climbing species that produces beautiful white and pink flowers. The star-shaped quilted flowers and fleshy leaves give the plant a somewhat peculiar look, which really seems to be made artificially.
It is an indoor plant of the Apocynaceae family that requires little care other than watering, so it is a good plant if you are one of those who do not have much time to dedicate to gardening. If you liked seeing it, why don’t you dare to grow one at home? We help you with your homework.
Wax flower characteristics
The wax flower is a plant of warm climates , so even if it is inside the house we must make sure that the temperature is between 15 and 25 degrees, as well as in a good light environment that allows it to obtain the rays of the sun that are those that will favor the flowering in spring.
However, if you have to choose between leaving them all day under the powerful sun or having them in semi-shade, always choose the second option, since the very direct and continuous rays could damage it.
When you are not at home make sure you do not leave any source of air open, as this plant does not support wind currents.
Water a wax flower
The watering will not be a problem, since its fleshy flowers always have a supply of water that helps them to endure for a longer time without being watered. For this reason, it is preferable to be cautious when doing it and it is preferable to do it in a moderate way, especially in winter, when the plants need to absorb less water and therefore it is necessary to wait for the substrate to dry before re-wetting it.
The only downside to this plant is its intense aroma, which at night can be uncomfortable to bear.
Growing and caring for the wax flower
- Lighting: you need to be in a very well lit place but not directly receiving the sun’s rays.
- Temperature: it does not resist cold, so it cannot be at temperatures below 10ºC. Warm environments are the best for its cultivation.
- Soil: the perfect one is one that has a substrate that is a mixture of leaves and heather soil.
- Transplant: it is recommended to do only when the plant no longer fits in the pot, and always when the end of winter arrives. Transplants do not suit him very well, so the fewer the better.
- Irrigation: it should be abundant during the summer and less frequently the rest of the year, so that the soil is always moist but not flooded. You will see that it is short of water because the leaves will become stiff.
- Pruning: do not cut the peduncles of the withered flowers since it is the origin of the flowers that will come out in the following season.
- Compost: use mineral fertilizer, every 15 days in spring-summer and once a month during autumn, at which time it is better for it to be organic fertilizer. In winter you do not have to pay.
