When choosing a hoya soil mix recipe there are a lot of things to consider.
These include drainage capacity, nutrient density, pH level and much more. In this article, I’ll give you the recipe that I use for my hoyas that I have had the most success with.
Let’s get straight into it.
Contents
Best Hoya Soil Mix Recipe
Here’s the best hoya soil mix recipe that I personally use for my hoyas.
- 3 parts compost – Compost is a great neutral-pH option for the bulk of a hoya soil mix recipe as it is packed full of nutrients and is readily available at most garden shops. I like to use organic, peat-free compost where possible.
- 1 part perlite or bark – Adding perlite or bark improves drainage and allows some moisture to be absorbed at the same time. It will also create small pockets of air within the soil mix that is perfect for hoyas given their epiphytic nature.
- 1 part sphagnum moss – Sphagnum moss will further increase the amount of moisture that the soil holds.
- Optional pH modifier – Peat moss for lower pH (acidic) or baking soda for higher pH (alkaline).
Most varieties of hoyas thrive in a pH range between 6.1 and 7.3 so this mix tends to work well most of the time. If you want to alter the pH you can easily do this with the addition of peat moss or baking soda, although I wouldn’t recommend this right off the bat.
And that’s it. I like to keep the soil mix for my hoyas super simple and have had great success with the recipe above for several years now.
What About Peat Moss Instead Of Compost?
Peat moss is great structurally for a hoya soil mix recipe (well-draining, holds on to nutrients well), but it is quite acidic.
This is why it’s better to use compost and adjust pH from there if necessary. Plus compost has a lot more nutrients than peat moss.
4 Things To Consider When Making A Soil Mix For Hoya
This is pretty much the thought process that goes into creating the perfect type of soil for hoyas.
1. pH
There are more than 500 accepted species of hoya, so it makes sense that certain varieties will prefer a higher pH soil and others lower.
I would always recommend researching the specific type of hoya that you have to check what pH it prefers and then you can make the soil mix ideal from there. Most hoyas will thrive in the soil mix above without the need for a pH modifier, but certain varieties will benefit if you adjust the pH using either peat moss (more acidic) or baking soda (more alkaline) in small amounts.
2. Nutrients
Nutrient density is super important for a soil mix. You can always supplement with fertilizer (and you definitely should) but it’s also nice to know that the soil mix itself has nutrients that help your hoya grow as well.
Compost is packed full of nutrients and contains the three essential nutrients (NPK) alongside traces of calcium, magnesium and zinc.
3. Well-Draining
Well-draining soil is an absolute must for a hoya soil mix recipe.
If the soil is not well draining then water will quickly build up in the soil which can lead to several overwatering problems. The worst of these is root rot, which can destroy the roots and lead to the death of the plant if not dealt with quickly.
Perlite/bark and sphagnum moss improve the drainage capabilities of the soil, but you need to make sure that your pot has drainage holes in place as well to allow for excess water to drain out from the bottom.
4. Moisture Holding Capabilities
It might sound counter-intuitive that a potting mix needs to retain moisture whilst also being well-draining, but it is crucial.
This is why I add perlite or bark as well as sphagnum moss to my hoya soil mix. Perlite/bark improves drainage whilst absorbing moisture, and sphagnum moss is great for increasing humidity and retaining moisture.
Hoyas are epiphytes after all, which means the roots are adapted to growing on other surfaces to find moisture and other nutrients.
FAQs
I’ve included this section to cover as many related questions to hoya soil mixes as possible.
If you have any other queries then don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Do Hoyas Like Deep Or Shallow Pots?
Shallow pots are more suited for hoyas for a few reasons.
Firstly, shallow pots dry out quicker which means overwatering is less likely. Secondly, since hoyas are epiphytes their roots don’t tend to grow very deep so you don’t need to provide much depth for them.
Do Hoyas Like Soil Or Bark?
Bark is a great addition to a hoya soil mix recipe, but it shouldn’t completely replace soil.
The two can work in tandem with soil providing the bulk of the nutrients and bark increasing drainage and moisture whilst aerating the soil.
Is Miracle-Gro Good For Hoyas?
Miracle-gro liquid plant food is great for hoyas, especially the 4-1.5-4 mix. If you want to learn why I would recommend this article I wrote detailing hoyas and which types of fertilizers are best for them.