With its distinctive foliage, fine venation, and minimal care requirements, Hoya polyneura can be an excellent addition to any indoor garden!
Hoya polyneura is an absolute stunner with its distinctively shaped foliage, fine veneration, and vining growth habit. Apart from its aesthetic appeal, the plant stands out with its easy growing needs, making it the first choice of novice plant parents as well as seasoned green thumbs. Learn all about growing the excellent Fishtail Hoya with our exclusive care guide!
Hoya polyneura Plant Profile
Popular as Fishtail Hoya, Hoya polyneura is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae. The plant got its common name from the thick, waxy leaves in a light green hue highlighted with deep green veins, forming a fishtail pattern. The epiphytic vines can be trained easily around plant stakes or nearby objects to create an extraordinary appeal indoors.
Apart from the classy foliage, the plant also produces clusters of small, star-shaped flowers that are usually white or pale pink in color and exude a sweet, honey-like fragrance.
Ideal Pot Size
Choose a pot that is not too large, as these plants prefer to be slightly root-bound. A pot that is too large can hold too much moisture and lead to root rot.
A good rule of thumb is to choose a pot that is just slightly larger than the root ball of the plant. A 4-6 inches pot with 2-3 holes at the bottom should suffice for a young Fishtail Hoya. As the plant outgrows the pot, transplant it to the next pot size.
Hoya polyneura Propagation
Propagating Hoya polyneura is a simple process that can be done by stem cutting, and here are the steps to follow:
- Choose a sturdy stem from a healthy Hoya polyneura plant that has a few leaves.
- Use a sharp, sterilized pair of scissors or pruning shears to snip a 4-6 inches long cutting just below a leaf node. Make sure to make a clean cut to avoid potential fungal issues.
- Remove the lower two or three leaves from the stem, leaving only a few leaves at the top.
- Dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone powder. This will encourage the growth of roots.
- Prepare a pot with well-draining soil and make a small hole in the soil. Insert the cut end of the stem into the hole and gently press the soil around it.
- Water the soil, but make sure not to overwater it.
- Place the pot in a warm and bright spot, but avoid direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist and mist the plant occasionally.
In 2-3 weeks, the cutting will grow a strong root system. Take care of the plant’s growing requirements and let it thrive.
Requirements for Growing Hoya Polyneura
Light
Hoya polyneura is a tropical plant that requires bright, indirect light to thrive. Ideally, it should be placed near a North or Eastern window that receives bright, filtered light for most of the day. However, direct sunlight should be avoided as it can burn the leaves of the plant.
If you don’t have a window that provides sufficient light, supplement it with artificial lighting such as a grow light or LED strips.
Soil
The vining beauty requires a well-draining soil mix that does not hold water for long periods so that the roots do not become waterlogged, which can cause root rot.
The ideal pot mix must be equal parts of sphagnum moss, perlite, and coco coir, amended with a handful of organic matter. Organic matter improves soil structure, adds nutrients to the soil, and helps the soil retain moisture.
Water
Allow the top inch of the potting mix to dry out between the watering sessions. This will prevent overwatering, which can lead to root rot and other fungal issues. Follow a deep-watering session every week and let it seep down the drainage holes, ensuring the medium gets wet thoroughly.
Temperature & Humidity
Hoya polyneura prefers temperatures between 60°F to 85°F (15.5°C to 29.4°C). It’s important to keep the temperature consistent, so avoid exposing the plant to sudden drops in temperature, especially during the winter.
During the winter, the houseplant can tolerate temperatures as low as 50°F (10°C), but it’s best to keep the temperature above 60°F (15.5°C). Avoid exposing Hoya Polyneura to temperatures above 90°F (32.2°C) that can shrivel the beautiful foliage.
The plant prefers a humid environment, ideally 50-60%. Place a humidifier near the plant, use a pebble tray filled with water, or mist the leaves regularly with tepid water. Dry air can cause the plant’s leaves to turn brown or curl, so it is important to maintain adequate humidity levels.
Hoya Polyneura Care Guide
Fertilizer
Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer that contains equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. Dilute the fertilizer to half or quarter strength to avoid over-fertilizing the plant, which can cause leaf burn and other damage. This will help promote overall plant growth and encourage flowering.
Apply the diluted fertilizer to the soil around the base of the plant, making sure to water it thoroughly.
Pests and Diseases
Hoya polyneura is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scales, leaf spots, and root rot, among others. Wipe the leaves with cotton dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove the mushy cottony webs on the undersides of the leaves, and spray the plant with organic neem oil solution every month. Alternatively, you may also use a horticulture or insecticidal spray to clear the plants of these nasty conditions.
Ensure to avoid overwatering and provide good air circulation to keep potential diseases at bay.
