As a member of the Hoya family, the Hoya Krohniana is most known for its lanky stems and heart shaped leaves. A fun fact about this plant is that it used to be known as “Heart Leaf Lacunosa.” Native to the tropical region of Southeast Asia, the Hoya Krohniana plants are often hard to find. However, if you manage to find one in your care, this guide will help you care of it even if you do not live in a warm region.
Hoya Krohniana Care
Hoya Krohnianas are easy plants to care for. With the proper combination of light, water, soil, and temperature, they can thrive for a long time. This guide will teach you the best ways to help your plant grow.
Light
While the Hoya Krohniana plant is native to a sunny and warm climate, it grows in the shade of taller trees. Therefore, the most optimal level of lighting for this plant is bright but indirect light. Direct sunlight or artificial lighting can burn the leaves, so make sure that your plant does not receive more than 2 hours of direct lighting. In general, the Krohnianas should receive 6 hours of indirect light each day. Maintaining this level of lighting for your Krohnianas will help with the growth of your plant.
Soil Type and pH
Well-draining soil is the ideal type of soil for your Hoya Krohniana. This is because the roots of the plant do not enjoy being soaked in water for a long period of time. Well-draining soil removes excess water from the roots and helps ventilate it. A mixture of perlite, pumice, vermiculite, or orchid bark combined with regular household potting mix would work fine. If you do not want to create your own mix, you can choose to buy African violet mix and use that instead.
Make sure that the soil pH is neutral. Anywhere between a pH of 6.0 and 7.0 is optimal. Soil that is too acidic or alkaline may affect the growth and development of your Krohniana.
Watering and Humidity
The Hoya Krohniana plant do not require much watering and how much you water will depend on the season. In the spring and summer season, you will need to water it two to three times every week. While in the fall and winter months, you can cut down the time to once every two to three weeks with lukewarm water.
A good rule of thumb when checking whether the Krohniana plant need watering is to look at the leaves. The leaves of the Hoya Krohniana can hold water. When you notice that they are looking dry or wrinkled you can give your plant some water. Another way you can make sure that your plant needs water is to feel the soil. If it is completely dry, your Krohniana is ready for more water. It is important not to overwater it because this can cause problems like root rot and leaves drooping with your Krohniana.
Temperature
Hoya Krohniana thrive in moderate conditions. Even though the plant is native to the hot and humid climate of Southeast Asia, it grows in the canopy and is covered from the sun by taller trees and plants. When exposed to the extreme cold, the leaves will burn and die from frost. When exposed to extreme heat, the leaves will also burn and die from the heat. The perfect temperature range for Hoya Krohnianas to thrive in is 55°F to 66°F.
If you are growing your plant outdoors, make sure to bring your plant inside once the temperatures drop below 50°F and rise above 75°F. If you are growing your Krohniana indoors, avoid keeping it near any heaters or air conditioning. This is because the plant does not like large fluctuations in temperatures.
Hardiness Zone
Hailing from Southeast Asia, the Hoya Krohniana plant is suitable for outdoor growing in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12. This includes tropical areas like Southern California and Southern Florida. If you live in a hardiness zone below 10, keep your plant indoors or bring it in during the wintertime. If you live in a hardiness zone above 12, water your plant more frequently so it does not get dehydrated.
Fertilization Requirement
The Hoya Krohniana does not need to be fed frequently. However, the occasional fertilization does help it grow faster. Before the plant begins flowering, use a weak fertilizer or dilute standard plant food by 50%. This will help flowers bloom. Once you notice flowers beginning to sprout, you may switch your fertilizer to a bloom booster. This will assist with leaf growth. You may switch back to the weak fertilizer or diluted house plant food once the flowers fade. Feed your plant once a month during spring and summer time. Once fall and winter roll around you must stop feeding it.
Propagation
An easy plant to propagate, the Hoya Krohniana can take root from stem cuttings or seeds. The most common and simple way to propagate is through stem clipping. The steps to stem cutting propagation are:
- Take a 5 – 8 inch stem and remove a few of the lower leaves.
- Plant this stem in moist soil.
- While the stem takes root, make sure to water regularly and keep in a warm area.
- Wait for the stems to take root.
There is also the option to propagate by seeds. This is the more difficult option and often done by professionals. Here are the steps to seed propagation:
- Dry seed pods on the Krohniana. Bear in mind to not wait too long as the pods do not store seeds well and need to be planted right away.
- Open the pods and plant a few seeds in moist soil because not all of them will take root.
- Make sure to water the seeds regularly and keep in a warm area for the plant to take root.
- Wait for the seeds to start sprouting.
Size and Growth Rate
Hoya Krohniana are small to medium-sized plants that can grow up to 10 inches long. Despite its small size, the plant is fairly slow growing.
Common Problems
Like any plants, Hoya Krohnianas can be susceptible to typical greenery complications. Thankfully, these plants are more hardy compared to others and are quite resistant to diseases. Krohnianas can attract pests and bugs like mealybugs and aphids.
To prevent pests and bugs from attacking your plant, you may use insecticide spray or soap on your plant once every two weeks. You can also mix in horticultural or neem oil in the spray if you would like. However plain insecticide or soap also works.
If you do notice that your plant is being attacked by mealybugs or aphids, you will need to remove them by blasting them with a water jet. Do this until all the pests are removed. Check the leaves and flowers as this is where the bugs commonly attack. Remember to dry out the leaves otherwise it can be susceptible to root rot.
If your plant does suffer from root rot, remove it from the pot and run it under clean water. Remove any rotten roots and move your plant into a new pot with fresh soil. Monitor your plant’s water intake by checking the soil before you water it. If you notice that the soil is still wet, you should wait before watering again.
Flowers
Hoya Krohniana grow small, white, fuzzy, pea-sized blooms with a star-shaped center. These flowers smell sweet and are reminiscent of cinnamon or brown sugar. While Hoya flowers can take up to two years to bloom, they will produce flowers for several years.
Are Hoya Krohniana Toxic to Pets?
Hoya Krohniana plants are not toxic to the common house pet, like cats or dogs. However, it is still a good idea to keep these plants away from cats, dogs, and even children. This is because the leaves are difficult to digest and can cause discomfort or vomiting when ingested.
Where can I find Hoya Krohniana for Sale?
While typically difficult to find, Hoya Krohniana are often sold online. Their prices range between $30 – $50 USD. You may have to spend more on shipping fees.
Hoya Krohniana Types
Hoya Krohniana have a few different subspecies that vary in appearances. The different varieties are named based on the colors of their leaves.
- Hoya Krohniana Silver – This type of Krohniana has a silver sheen on top of their green leaves. These are also known as Hoya Krohniana Super Silver and Hoya Krohniana Eskimo
- Hoya Krohniana Black – This type of Krohniana is known for their dark purple leaves.
- Hoya Krohniana Splash – As its name suggests, this variety of Krohniana has silver splashes all over their leaves. They are also known as Hoya Krohniana silver.
Hoya Lacunosa vs Hoya Krohniana
Belonging to the same genus, both the Hoya Lacunosa and Hoya Krohniana share a lot in their likeness. The main similarities being that they have a very similar appearance. From the length of their stems, to size of their leaves, even their fuzzy, white, sweet-scented blooms are alike.
However, once you place the two plants beside each other, their differences become a lot more noticeable. Krohnianas have stiff heart-shaped leaves, while Lacunosas have soft, round-shaped leaves. You can also see their variances in their flowers as well. Lacunosas tend to have smaller flowers than Krohnianas and have a milder scent.