Hoya leucantha

Specifications:

Scientific name: Hoya leucantha

Origin: Indonesia

Flower colour: Pinkish white with yellow center

Genus: Hoya

Family: Apocynaceae

Kingdom: Plantae

Type: Broadleaf evergreen

Common names: Hoya Gauttierensis, Hoya leucantha sp Papua

Summary:

• Bright, indirect light
• Fairly low-maintenance
• Soil should be kept moist
• High humidity preferred; low humidity tolerated
• Monthly during active growth
• 71°F-75°F (22°C to 24°C) preferred temperature

Light Requirements:

• Hoya leucantha prefers dappled shade. This is more difficult to replicate indoors because dappled shade usually refers to the light filtering through trees.
• Hoya leucantha prefers dappled shade with 30-50% direct sunlight. To avoid burnt leaves, keep your plant protected from the afternoon sun.
• Hoya leucantha will be fine in low light and indoor, medium, and indirect light.
• Although Hoya leucantha doesn’t like direct bright light, that doesn’t mean NO light. Indirect light or full morning sun stores up enough energy to be able to produce spurs, where the flowers grow from and bloom. 
• It does well under artificial light, making it ideal for office environments.

Temperature Requirements:

• This plant likes cooler night temperatures. But temperatures below 41 degrees Fahrenheit will damage your Hoya leucantha. 
• Keep the temperatures between 53 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth. The best range is between 71 to 75 (22°C to 24°C) degrees Fahrenheit.
• Lower temperatures between 55°F-59°F (12°C to 15°C) are allowed but should not go below 41°F (5°C).

Humidity Requirements:

• Hoya bella thrives in more humid conditions. One of the simplest methods for creating humidity for houseplants is to use a humidifier.
• It helps to keep it between 40-60%. You can place a drainage tray filled with gravel underneath the container to achieve this. Fill it in with water at a low level making sure that the water does not touch the pot.

Watering Requirements:

• The Hoya leucantha, unlike many other Hoyas, does not have abundant water reserves in its leaves. While the plant can still store some water, its foliage has shrunk and become thinner.
• Because of its limited water reserves, the Hoya leucantha cannot be allowed to dry out completely. During the growing season, it can be quite thirsty.
• Every few days, check the topsoil.
• Water your plant deeply until excess water runs off the drainage hole once the top 1 inch (2.5cm) of soil has dried. Deep watering encourages healthy root growth and reduces the risk of mineral-salt buildup caused by fertilizing.
• Watering frequency naturally decreases in colder months when using this method. During the winter, your plant slows its growth and eventually goes dormant, requiring less water.

Soil Requirements:

• Hoya leucantha thrives in sandy and loamy soils with good drainage.
• Because your Hoya leucantha is prone to overwatering, getting the potting mix just right is critical. Generic commercial mixes retain too much water, causing root rot.
• It does, however, require adequate moisture for healthy foliage. Getting the right balance is difficult, but any of the following are excellent options:
• This plant will do well with a mix of perlite, bark, and indoor plant potting mix or just indoor plant potting mix and lots of perlites.
• Or Combine 1 part orchid potting mix, 1 part perlite, and 1 part sand.

Fertilizing Requirements:

• Because Hoya leucantha does not require a lot of fertilizer, overfertilizing it may harm the plant. Use a general houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength once a month during the growing season to fertilize this plant (spring and summer).
• Fertilizing your light-feeding Hoya leucantha once a month during the growing season is sufficient. Using a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month at half strength is sufficient.
• When you see flowers developing, switch to a high-phosphorous fertilizer to encourage flowering.
• Fertilize not in the fall or winter. This is when your plant is dormant or growing slowly. Your plant will suffer if you use too much fertilizer.
• If you notice a white crust forming on the soil’s surface, this could be due to salt buildup from overfertilization. Flush your plant with room-temperature water in this case.