Hoya walliniana (Variegated)

Specifications:

Scientific name: Hoya Walliniana inner variegated

Common names: Hoya walliniana

Origin: Southeast Asia (Borneo)

Flower colour: Creamy-white flowers with maroon-centered light yellow corona.

Genus: Hoya

Family: Apocynaceae (Asclepiadaceae)

Kingdom: Plantae

Type:Flowering vine

Summary:

• Requires full sun or partial shade
• Has Green & red foliage
• Water requirement is medium
• Needs a temperature between 18°C and 26°C to grow
• Prefers moderate humidity, above 40 %.

Light Requirements:

• The indirect, medium-to-bright light is ideal for the Hoya walliniana. This enables it to develop its large number of leaves and grow fully.
• It’s also important to note that Hoya walliniana’s leaves turn reddish-purple in response to sun stress.
• Many growers purposefully give the plant a little more light because of the attractive appearance it has. However, it’s crucial to refrain from going overboard. 
• Due to the fact that the Hoya walliniana is an epiphyte, it grows on larger plants and trees in the forest.  It, therefore, dwells beneath the large overhead leaves of the larger trees.
• Additionally, this indicates that the plant does not get direct sunlight. Instead, the gaps between the leaves and the branches above provide it with light. Because of this, it thrives in filtered, dappled, or indirect light.
• On the other hand, it can’t stand being in direct sunlight for a long time, especially when it’s hot. As a result, try to keep it away from a window that faces south.
• The plant will thrive outside in partial or semi-shade conditions. Steer clear of direct sunlight.
• Overexposure to the sun’s powerful rays will eventually scorch the leaves. Even though the plant will survive, the result will be an unsightly vine with burnt-brown leaves.

Temperature Requirements:

• Borneo, in particular, is the native home of the Hoya walliniana.  It has a warm to hot climate, similar to other areas in the location. The summers can be extremely hot, with days that easily reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  The plant prefers warm to hot weather as a result.  And it favors a range of 65 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• The plant prefers a more temperate temperature because it is able to escape the heat because it lives in the shade of the bigger trees.
• On the other hand, the Hoya walliniana has a low tolerance for cold temperatures. Once the temperature falls below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, there are issues. Once more, this is a result of the weather conditions it is used to. Southeast Asia only experiences warm, humid, and rainy weather. They don’t experience winters either. Because of this, Hoya walliniana prefers to reside outside USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. These areas have weather that is very similar to their natural environment.
• If you reside below Zone 9, however, you should avoid leaving the plant outside during the winter. It is unable to withstand the bitterly cold temperature.

Humidity Requirements:

• High humidity is preferred for the Hoya walliniana, ideally between 60% and 75%. Given that Southeast Asia is known for both its hot and humid climates, this is not at all surprising.  Try to maintain a high humidity level for this plant.
• The Hoya walliniana has thin leaves in contrast to some other hoya species.  This indicates that the plant’s foliage does not store water. As a result, compared to other hoyas, it is less tolerant of low humidity.  Therefore, make every effort to avoid dipping below 50% humidity.
• If there is not enough moisture in the air, its leaves can easily wilt and develop brown edges.
• Regularly misting the plant is a good idea if your home has low humidity. However, exercise caution because too much moisture in the leaves can cause fungus issues.  A pebble tray or humidity tray can be used in its place if you’re busy or at work frequently. Compared to misting, both are more hands-off.

Watering Requirements:

• With the Hoya walliniana, water is the most crucial factor to consider. That’s because the plant enjoys being near water. And it enjoys soil that is consistently moist. However, it cannot stand muddy, wet ground. Therefore, exercise caution when watering excessively or frequently.
• The plant’s roots are not made to withstand a lot of moisture because it is an epiphyte. And if you keep them wet for a long time, they will suffer. This is due to the fact that epiphytic roots do not exist in the soil in the jungle. Instead, they dangle in the air or encircle trees. Because of this, the plant is able to cling to and climb tall trees. Because of this, the roots have abundant oxygen to breathe.
• Additionally, because they are exposed to light and airflow after being wet by rain, they dry very quickly.
• If you grow the plant in soil, this is not the case. The roots end up sitting in a lot of moisture if the soil is left wet. So always let the soil dry out slightly in between waterings to avoid this. Before watering again, wait until the top 1-2 inches of soil have dried. By doing this, you avoid letting the roots become submerged in water.

Soil Requirements:

• The Hoya walliniana requires aeration and good drainage in its soil. The soil should ideally be either chunky or light and airy. It also enjoys nutrient-rich, rich soil.
• Maintain the pH of the soil between 6.1 and 7.3 to allow the plant to absorb the nutrients from the soil effectively.
• Since wet feet bother the plant’s epiphytic roots, it’s crucial that the soil drains well. In order to help, it quickly drains the extra moisture.
• However, it also holds onto the majority of moisture to satisfy the roots.
• For this plant, a straightforward potting mix recipe combines:
• 1 part potting mix
• 1 part coconut coir
• 1 part perlite
• In case you want to use fewer ingredients, you can use this soil mix recipe instead.
• 1 part potting soil
• 1 part orchid bark
• As an alternative, if you would rather purchase your soil from a store than purchase each ingredient separately and mix it at home, you can choose between the following:
• African violet mix
• Well-draining succulent soil
• Any of these will do. The latter, however, should have good drainage because not all succulent soils will be able to remove enough moisture to keep the plant happy.
• Have some perlite or bark on hand in case that occurs, and add a few handfuls to improve drainage.

Fertilizing Requirements:

• A healthy Hoya walliniana requires fertilizer. This is due to the fact that it needs to obtain nutrients in order to grow and flower.  With the right care, the plant can become bushy.
• On the whole, this is when it looks the best; using fertilizer will also aid in its bloom.
• Overfertilizing the plant is the one thing you must avoid, though. The Hoya walliniana suffers damage from a surplus of plant food. Thus, avoid doing this. Simply adhere to the directions on the product label instead.
• To feed the plant, you can use a balanced houseplant fertilizer. Only the spring and summer require plant food. So once the summer is over, stop.  Start over the following spring.
• The plant grows at its fastest during the warm months. As a result, this is the time to concentrate your efforts. It is also a good idea to switch to an orchid fertilizer when you start to notice signs of blooming if you want to promote flowering. It will encourage flowering. Additionally, it will make the blooms last longer.