Wax Plant - Hoya lacunosa 'Mint'
Hoya lacunosa (Hoy's plant, full of gaps) 'Mint'
Common Name
Wax Plant, Porcelain Flower, Wax Flower, Wax Vine
Origin
Native to forested areas in India, China, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam; this variety first grew its variegation in cultivation.
Description
This rare Hoya stands out thanks to the splash of variegation across each leaf, giving them a pale mint-green colour. New leaves grow in pairs, and come through small and paler in colour, growing over time and darkening from lime to emerald underneath the Mint's variegation. With some patience, this vining plant can be trained to grow up or left to dangle free to fit your interior aesthetic. If new leaves are losing the variegation, this is a sign it needs a brighter spot, so keep an eye out for that. In a bright spot, with care taken not to over-water, this Hoya will reward you with its beautiful, standout foliage and maybe even clusters of fragrant white, pom-pom-shaped blooms if it's really happy!
Thrives in bright, indirect light, and will benefit from a splash of morning or evening sun. Make sure it gets 1-2 hours of direct sunlight in autumn and winter, throughout its dormant period.
Water
Allow the top third of the soil to dry out between waters, and reduce watering in winter and in dimmer spots. Make sure you don't leave any water sitting in the foliage (or flowers) as this can cause damage.
Humidity
Used to a rainforest environment, this plant likes it humid; introduce a humidity tray if possible, and hose down the leaves regularly to keep them free of dust. If the leaves start to brown and curl, this is a sign that the air is too dry.
Soil
Use an anthurium mix and repot every three years in spring as the plant grows. If it's flowering, keep it pot-bound a little longer to prevent it getting shocked by the move and losing flowers.
Food
Feed every four waters throughout the year. To tailor your feeding even more, look for a Nitrogen-heavy fertiliser when the foliage needs to develop more, and to encourage flowers once it's mature look for one with higher Potassium (K) content, like tomato feed.
Temperature
Ideal temperature is between 15-25°C; make sure it does not get colder than 15°C in winter or for longer periods.
Pet-safe
Hoya are not toxic but can have bad reactions for your pets, including vomiting/ diarrhoea.
Sprouts Top Tips
While this plant likes it humid, it does not like soggy soil- make sure not to over-water it. Keep an eye out for yellowing leaves, especially those closer to the soil, to spot this early and reduce the frequency of your waters before the roots are damaged.
