Growing Hoya Sunrise Indoors will turn your home into a vibrant oasis with its stunning variegated foliage!
Native to Malaysia, this ornamental Hoya species is an epiphyte that will liven the bland corners of your home, whether dangling down a hanging basket or sitting on your bookshelf. Learn everything about growing this beautiful species indoors!
- Botanical Name: Hoya sp. Sunrise
- A cross between Hoya lacunosa ssp. pallidiflora and Hoya obscura
- Popular as Waxplant
- Loves temperatures between 17-25 C or 62-77 F
- Thrives in a moist, well-aerated medium
- Nontoxic to pets and humans
Hoya Sunrise Plant Profile
Prized for its striking variegation, Hoya Sunrise features waxy tear-drop-shaped green leaves that take a burgundy hue under bright sunlight. The thick and waxy foliage texture provides a lustrous sheen, and the plant’s slender vines offer an elegant, cascading appearance that can bring a touch of tropical charm to any room.
With proper care and attention, this delightful Hoya plant produces clusters of pretty star-shaped flowers in Spring and Summer that exude a refreshing scent, filling your home with a pleasing aroma. Being an epiphyte, the plant grows gracefully, climbing on nearby objects, plant stakes, hoop planters, or a sphagnum moss pole.
Hoya Sunrise Propagation
Propagating Hoya Sunrise via stem cuttings is a simple and effective way to increase your plant collection by following some simple steps:
- Get a disease-free plant and choose a healthy, mature stem to get a cutting for propagation.
- Make a cut just below the leaf node using sterile clippers so that the stem cutting is 4-6 inches long.
- Remove the lower leaves, leaving the upper pair intact.
- Allow the cutting to dry out and callus over, barring potential fungal issues.
- Fill a pot with a well-draining potting mix and plant the cutting into it.
- Place the cutting in a warm, bright location with indirect sunlight, ensuring that the soil stays moist but not waterlogged.
The cutting will develop a strong root system in a few weeks. You can then cut back on watering and transplant it to hanging baskets or any space with bright, indirect sunlight.
Requirements for Growing Hoya Sunrise
Light
If you want your Hoya Sunrise to flaunt the exotic maroon variegation, place it at a spot that receives bright, indirect light for the most part of the day. Northern or eastern windowsills can be an apt location where the plant can bask in a few hours of the morning sunlight. The plant will lose its variegation if exposed to absolute darkness or shade.
If your home doesn’t receive ample filtered sunlight, consider using grow lights to aid plant variegation. However, keep the waxplant away from the intense afternoon heat, which will scorch the edges, turning them crisp and brown.
Soil
Hoya Sunrise prefers an evenly moist medium that does not get soggy. Prepare a combination of equal parts of peat moss or coco coir, perlite, and vermiculite, along with a fistful of horticulture charcoal to strike the right balance of drainage and water retention. Alternatively, you may also amend orchid bark with a handful of perlite to provide the necessary nutrients and aid drainage.
Water
Being an epiphyte, Hoya Sunrise prefers an evenly moist medium but not waterlogged. Keep an eye on the top inch of soil and water if it feels dry to the touch. However, do not let the medium dry away completely or get soggy—both conditions can be fatal to your plant.
A weekly deep watering session can also be helpful in providing an ample water supply without damaging the roots.
Temperature & Humidity
Hoya Sunrise prefers to be kept in a warm and humid environment—one of the many reasons to grow it as a houseplant. The optimal temperature ranges from 62-77 F or 17-25 C. If you live in a cooler climate, keep the plant in a heated room or near a heat lamp to induce some warmth. You may also nurture it in indoor greenhouses.
The plant thrives in a humid environment of 50-70%. If your home is dry, consider using a humidifier or placing a [ebble tray near the plant to increase the humidity levels. You can also mist the plant with tepid water to boost moisture levels.
Hoya Sunrise Care
Fertilizers
Hoya Sunrise plants do well with occasional feedings every 4-6 weeks during the growing season, which is typically from spring to fall. In winter, the plant should be given a rest period, and fertilizer should be reduced or stopped altogether. When fertilizing, use an NPK blend in the ratio of 2:1:2 diluted to half its strength to boost foliage and plant health.
Pests and Diseases
Common houseplant pests can be a problem for Hoya Sunrise plants, including powdery mildew, mealybugs, and spider mites. Spray the plant with organic neem oil solution to keep such pests under control.
Provide the plant with good air circulation and avoid overwatering to keep potential issues at bay. Also, ensure not to wet the foliage while watering, which can lead to fungus infestations.
