It can take years for a hoya to begin flowering; but when they finally do how long do hoya flowers last?
There are a few factors that affect how long those beautiful delicate blooms will stick around. Some species will naturally last longer than others, while others don’t flower at all. Environmental factors also play an important role in hoyas that flower.
Quick Update – My Hoya Bella has recently started to flower, so I’ll be sharing photos throughout this article as well as updating how long it lasts!
Contents
Hoya Flower Basics
Hoya flowers are delicate. Many species look more like fondant cake decorations than a flower. They typically have a waxy or porcelain appearance.
They produce clusters of small flowers, with most species being star-shaped. There are a few species of hoya that don’t flower at all.
Most hoyas will have a fragrant smell. Some species don’t smell at all, and others smell foul. These are avoided for houseplants, for obvious reasons.
Hoya Flower Species
Hoya flowers will typically last for a few days to a few weeks, with at least one species lasting for a month or longer.
You can expect hoya shepherdii, hoya tsangii, and hoya kerrii blooms to last for a few weeks. Hoya kerrii can last up to a month or more.
Hoya imperialis, hoya lacunose, and hoya MacGillivrayi will last for a few days, but typically less than a week.
Encouraging Hoya To Bloom
If you are not so patiently waiting for your hoya to bloom, there are some things you can do. The truth is, the hoya will bloom when it decides to. However, giving it the right conditions can increase the odds it will bloom.
Remember, the hoya will not bloom until it reaches maturity. This can take anywhere between 2 to 7 years. If your hoya plant is young, focus on keeping it healthy and growing it quickly, instead of getting it to bloom.
Humidity
The hoya is a tropical plant, and loves high humidity. Humidity levels are usually high enough in the summer. In the winter, the dry air is not humid enough for hoya. Even in the summer months, a little extra humidity will not harm your hoya.
There are a few ways to increase your humidity. If you want to increase the humidity in your home, you can invest in a humidifier.
If you simply want to meet the needs of your hoya, you can mist the plant with distilled water. Simply put distilled water in a spray bottle, and spray the leaves and stems twice a week.
Another method is a pebble tray. Fill a tray with rocks. Then fill it halfway with water. Be sure that the water level is below the pebbles. Place your pot in the tray, on top of the pebbles.
The water will evaporate over time, and create higher humidity around your hoya.
Lighting
Hoya needs plenty of light to produce blooms. However, they don’t need direct sunlight. They can tolerate sunlight in cooler months, but the summer sun is too strong for them. Place them a few feet away from a window, or put a curtain over the window to diffuse the light.
Your hoya may need artificial light, particularly in winter. This also gives you more control over how much light your hoya is exposed to.
Water Properly
One of the key factors in getting the hoya to bloom, and making those blooms last, is adequate water.
The hoya has moderate water requirements. It may be tempting to give it extra water to encourage blooms to stay, but this isn’t necessary. In fact, too much water can lead to root rot, which is detrimental to your hoya. You’ll need to allow the soil to dry between waterings, but water deeply when you do water. To determine if the hoya needs watering, check the soil with your finger.
If the top 1 to 2 inches of soil is dry, it’s time to water. In the spring and summer, you can water when the top 1 inch of soil is dry. In the winter, growth slows and the hoya requires less water. Wait until the top 2 inches of soil are dry before watering in the winter months.
Fertilizer
To get your hoya to bloom, it needs the right nutrition. Plants bloom when they are in optimal health, and nutrition is a big part of this. If your hoya is well-fed, it’s much more likely to bloom.
For general plant health, you can use any basic houseplant fertilizer. Feed them once or twice a month with fertilizer. However, if you really want to encourage your hoya to bloom, you can use a high-phosphorous fertilizer.
Over Fertilization
Remember, more isn’t always better. Hoyas are sensitive to fertilizer burn if fertilized too heavily. If you notice yellowing or wilting, particularly on lower leaves, brown tips and leaf margins, or leaf loss, you may have over-fertilized your hoya.
If it’s overfertilized, the growth will slow and it will not bloom. To fix this, the first step is to remove excess fertilizer. If there’s fertilizer or a white crust on the top of the soil, remove this. Then, remove any damaged leaves.
Next, you’ll need to leach the soil. Water until the water is running from the drain holes. You may need to repeat this process 3 or 4 times to remove it all from the soil.
Wait at least one month before fertilizing again. Of course, you’ll need to adjust the strength, frequency, or type of fertilizer before fertilizing again.
How To Make Hoya Blooms Last Longer
When it comes to making hoya blooms last, the tips above are a great starting point. Provide them with the right amount of sunlight. Too much light will burn the plant, and cause the blooms to die early.
Too little water will also impact how long the blooms last, causing them to depart early. If the temperature drops too low, this can cause your hoya to lose its blooms.
Summing It Up
How long your hoya blooms last depends on the species and their environment. To make your blooms last as long as possible, just care for your hoya as you would normally.
Provide the correct temperature, sunlight, and water, and your hoya blooms will last longer. Expect them to last between a few days to a few weeks, depending on the species.
