Hoya latifolia 'Pot of Gold'

Specifications:

Scientific name: Hoya latifolia ssp. variegated

Common names: Wax plant, porcelain flower, waxvine

Origin: Southeast Asia

Flower colour: Cream colored

Genus: Hoya

Family: Apocynaceae (Asclepiadaceae)

Kingdom: Plantae

Type:Flowering vine

Summary:

• Bright indirect light
• Temperature range between 55 - 70 degrees F
• Humidity above 60%
• Low watering
• Organic fertilizing 
• Well-draining organic soil

Light Requirements:

• Hoya latifolia 'Pot of Gold' thrives in bright, indirect light during the winter, so if you live in the north, locate an east-facing window where it can get lots of light.
• For year-round care, you can also keep it under artificial lights. 
• Lack of adequate sunlight will cause this Hoya's leaves to revert back to solid green. It is recommended to expose the plant to morning or evening sunlight to induce and maintain the variegation pattern.

Temperature Requirements:

• H. latifolia 'Pot of Gold' requires a relatively moderate climate for optimal maintenance. Temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) are optimal for sustained growth.
• Because of its lack of cold tolerance, H. latifolia 'Pot of Gold' cannot tolerate temperatures below 55 degrees C (13°C). It will get cold-stressed at the first sign of frost.
• It is best to keep your H. latifolia 'Pot of Gold' indoors in a warm environment all year if you live in a colder climate.
• The plant will go dormant in the colder months, but it can be saved by moving it indoors.

Humidity Requirements:

• H. latifolia 'Pot of Gold' thrives in semiarid to tropical climates, so maintaining an appropriate humidity level is essential for their upkeep.
• These hoyas thrive at 60% humidity and above. However, they can endure dry conditions thanks to the thick leaves they possess.
• In colder climates, the dryness of winter may make growing H. latifolia 'Pot of Gold' difficult, as the plant responds as though it were in a desert environment.
• Maintain your H. latifolia 'Pot of Gold' by misting it with a humidifier and wiping it down occasionally with a damp sponge this winter.

Watering Requirements:

• This Hoya has the resiliency to last through an extended drought. However, consistent summertime moisture and humidity is essential for the health of your H. latifolia 'Pot of Gold'.
• A watering schedule of once every seven to ten days is ideal for the H. latifolia 'Pot of Gold'. 
• A useful H. latifolia 'Pot of Gold' maintenance tip is to use collected rainwater for watering. 
• Young plants with fleshy stems require more frequent watering than older plants. A mature plant, with its thicker, woodier stems, is better able to weather dry conditions.
• Watering should be reduced during the winter.

Soil Requirements:

• To properly care for Hoya latifolia 'Pot of Gold', one must simulate the conditions of a Southeast Asian rain forest. 
• Their roots are often exposed because they prefer to grow in places other than soil.
• Nutrition comes from the environment, including air, rainwater, decomposing forest debris gathered around the roots, and rotting bark from the host tree.
• Indoors, the H. latifolia 'Pot of Gold' prefers a soilless medium consisting of 50% perlite or vermiculite and 50% organic clumps like bark, charcoal, coco husk, or sphagnum moss.
• For easy maintenance of your H. latifolia 'Pot of Gold', use any of the premium orchid mixes available at your speciality plant shop.

Fertilizing Requirements:

• In reality, hoyas don't need a lot of fertiliser. Hoya latifolia 'Pot of Gold' should be fed an organic diet from the moment it is potted.
• A lot of composted leaf and bark material, combined with organic manure bought from a store, works just fine. Slow-release feeds are preferable to chemical fertilisers for epiphytes like Hoya.
• A liquid organic type fertilizer that is easy to dilute and doesn't accumulate harmful salts in the soil is recommended.
• Feeding a plant during the winter months causes root burn.