Wax plant (Hoya obtusifolia)
Care, watering, light and tips for Wax plant on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Wax plant
Hoya obtusifolia, also known as wax plant, is a beautiful vining or trailing plant with thick, succulent-like, glossy dark green leaves. Its clusters of small, star-shaped, waxy flowers are often fragrant at night, ranging in shades from white to pale pink with a darker center. It is ideal for hanging baskets or growing on a trellis in bright indoor spaces, adding an exotic and elegant touch.
Native range
Southeast Asia (Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia)
Care tips
It requires bright, indirect light; avoid strong direct sun to prevent leaf scorch. Water moderately, allowing the potting mix to almost completely dry out between waterings to prevent root rot, especially during winter. Use a well-draining substrate, such as an orchid or succulent mix with perlite. A common mistake is overwatering, which can be fatal for this Hoya.
How to save a dying Wax plant
- Warning signs
- Soft, wrinkled, yellowing or drooping leaves. Black or mushy stems. No new growth.
- First aid
- Check soil: if waterlogged, repot with fresh, dry substrate. If dry, water moderately. Ensure good ventilation.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and heavy soil, leading to root rot. Lack of light also weakens it.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots aren't completely rotted. Remove mushy parts and repot. Provide bright indirect light.