The Hoya Chelsea is a charmer with lovely, waxy foliage and a vining growth habit. There are so many different types of Hoyas, and they’re similar, but learning the ins and outs of your specific plant enables you to provide the best Hoya care possible. The Chelsea is a variety of Hoya carnosa. Learn how to identify Chelsea and what this particular Hoya needs to look her best.
Get to Know Chelsea
The Hoya Chelsea is an epiphytic vine that hails from Asia and Australia. Thick leaves are ovate and sometimes even cordate, which is the botanical term for heart-shaped. The glossy leaves are a light, bright green at first and transition into a medium green with age. The Chelsea stands apart from other Hoya carnosa varieties because its leaves are slightly smaller and even more glossy or waxy. Leaves sometimes have a cupped appearance.
Stems grow and extend from the plant before the leaves fill in, so don’t be worried if you see a bare stem. This plant is a climber, and those bare stems are exploring for something to latch on to.
Hoya Chelsea Care Needs
All Hoyas have similar care needs, so if you’re familiar with this genus, you can easily care for a Chelsea. Learn how to take your Hoya Chelsea care to the next level to help your plant thrive and bloom.
Hoya Chelsea Light Needs
A few feet away from a south-facing window is ideal for a Hoya Chelsea. Hoyas do not grow very quickly, so plenty of light is vital for these beauties to grow as quickly as possible. Avoid direct sunlight, which will burn the waxy leaves. Chelsea can grow in medium light, but the foliage may stay light green and will not grow as quickly.
How Often to Water Hoya Chelsea
A lot of plant owners struggle with learning when to water Hoya houseplants. Factors like sunlight and humidity impact how quickly the potting soil dries out, so there isn’t a universal answer regarding when to water. Your plant may need water in 10 days or 15 days, depending on the conditions in your home.
Hoyas need water when the soil is dry. Chelsea plants store water in their leaves and can stay hydrated for a long time based on their thick, waxy foliage. You can even wait until the leaves just start to appear wilted and limp.
Saturate the soil when you water the plant so the entire root ball gets a drink. Allow extra water to drain and empty standing water from the saucer or cachepot. Water early in the day, if possible to avoid edema.
Potting Soil and Repotting
Not only is Clesea a slow-grower, but this plant also prefers to be rootbound. Hoya houseplants can spend years in the same pot and soil, but consider repotting every two or three years. The nutrients in potting soil diminish with time, and while routine fertilization can supplement some of that nutrition, nothing beats fresh, rich soil.
Choose a pot one or maybe two inches bigger than the previous container. Going too big may seem like a great way to set your plant up for success, but plants don’t work like that, and a pot that is too big may delay blooming.
Drainage and aeration are essential traits for the ideal Hoya potting mix. This plant climbs trees in nature, so its roots aren’t accustomed to being covered in heavy, dense soil. A potting mix that contains bark and perlite is a good choice. Make your own Hoya potting soil by combining 1/3 each of cactus mix, orchid mix, and perlite.
Does Hoya Chelsea Bloom?
The Hoya Chelsea does bloom and features clusters of star-shaped flowers. The showy light pink flowers have a red corona or eye. Step up your care to encourage your Hoya to bloom.
Is Hoya Chelsea Pet Safe?
Chelsea is pet-safe, so no worries if you have a curious cat or a dog with a history of nibbling foliage.
Chelsea Styling Tips
This easy-care houseplant will climb a trellis or moss pole. Getting your Chelsea to climb is a long game because this plant is a slow-grower, but be patient.