Porcelainflower (Hoya carnosa)

How much light does a Porcelainflower need?

Outdoors, Hoya carnosa prefers partial shade. It can spend summer outdoors on a patio, as long as the spot stays in partial shade. If you grow it indoors instead, bright indirect light works best year-round. This plant also tolerates lower light, from low to medium levels, when bright light isn't available. Its flowers range from white to pink. It blooms between March and April, and again between May and June.

• Light: Part shade¹

How often to water a Porcelainflower

Let the soil dry out completely before you water Hoya carnosa again. You can use the weight test to judge when it's time. Overall, this plant's water needs range from dry to medium. This plant also needs soil that drains well. It also likes high humidity in the air around it.

• Water: Dry to medium²

Best soil for a Porcelainflower

Hoya carnosa needs soil with good drainage. It also prefers to dry out between waterings. Aim for a near-neutral pH, somewhere between 6.0 and 8.0. A simple soil test can tell you where your potting mix falls in that range. This plant grows as a vine and an epiphyte. It also has a rapid growth rate. This plant is also evergreen.

• Soil drainage: Well drained¹
• Soil pH: pH 6–8¹

Hardiness and temperature

Hoya carnosa does not tolerate nighttime temperatures below 50°F (10°C). This plant also likes high humidity. A humidifier, or a tray of wet pebbles under the pot, can help raise the moisture in the air around it. Ideal humidity for this plant falls between 40% and 60%.

• Minimum temperature: 50 °F (10 °C)¹

Winter care

Bring Hoya carnosa indoors before nighttime temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C). Indoors, place it where it gets bright, indirect light. It also tolerates low or medium light if a bright spot isn't available. This plant prefers high humidity, which you can raise with a humidifier or a tray of wet pebbles under the pot.

• Minimum temperature: 50 °F (10 °C)¹

How to propagate a Porcelainflower

You can propagate Hoya carnosa by stem cuttings. Leaf cuttings and layering are other ways to start new plants from it. This plant also grows as a vine and an epiphyte. It has a rapid growth rate. It is also evergreen. This plant likes high humidity. It also needs soil that drains well.

• Propagation: Stem cuttings, leaf cuttings and layering¹

Common problems

Mealybugs and fungus gnats are common pests on Hoya carnosa. Fungus gnats are drawn to potting mix that stays too wet. Spider mites, scale, flat mites, and root-knot nematodes can also affect this plant. Diseases to watch for include root rot, fungal leaf spot, and powdery mildew. Two viruses, impatiens necrotic spot virus and tomato spotted wilt virus, have also been recorded on it.

• Common pests: mealybugs, fungus gnats, spider mites, scale, flat mites and root knot nematode¹
• Common diseases: root rot, fungal leaf spot, powdery mildew, fungal wilt, impatiens necrotic spot virus and tomato spotted wilt virus^3,3

Questions and answers

Is Hoya carnosa toxic to cats or dogs?

The ASPCA lists Hoya carnosa as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. NC State Extension's plant database also lists it as non-toxic for cats and dogs.

How much light does Hoya carnosa need outdoors?

Hoya carnosa does best outdoors in partial shade, such as on a shaded patio in summer. Indoors, it prefers bright, indirect light but also tolerates low or medium light.

How often should you water Hoya carnosa?

Let the soil dry out completely before you water again, and use the weight test to judge when it's time. Water needs for this plant range from dry to medium.