Hoyas are lovely houseplants that often thrive with some neglect. The Hoya curtisii fits this description. This easy-care houseplant, also known as a Fung wax flower, has reaching stems dotted with unique foliage. Learn more about this beauty and find out everything you need to know about Hoya curtisii care.
Plant Basics
This Hoya is native to Southeast Asia and found in Thailand, the Philippines, Borneo, and Malaysia. The curtisii is considered a creeping epiphyte in nature, but as a houseplant, it is usually grown as a trailing plant. The reaching stems make this plant an ideal choice for a hanging basket. The curtisii is a slow-growing houseplant, but it’s worth the wait.
The foliage is often described as heart-shaped. The leaves are shaped like a heart without the indentation at the top. The rounded leaves come to a dramatic point, creating a unique shape. The variegation is the real feature that makes the leaves stand out. The medium green leaves have random splotches of a light, silvery green hue. The variegation is unique and unlike most other Hoyas.
The Hoya curtisii sort of resembles the String of Hearts. These plants are easy to tell apart, but their foliage colors are similar.
Hoya Curtisii Care Requirements
Care for the curtisii is similar to that of other Hoyas. This semi-succulent plant needs lots of sunlight and humidity. Bright, indirect sunlight is best, allowing the plant to grow as quickly as possible and bloom.
Use well-drained soil and remove excess water from the cachepot or tray. The curtisii does not like wet feet, so let the soil completely dry before watering.
Temperature and Humidity for Hoya Curtisii
The curtisii likes to be warm, and most homes are the perfect temperature. Keep this Hoya away from drafty doors and windows during the winter and air conditioning vents in the summer. Humidity should be at least 60%. This Hoya may get by in lower humidity, but it will thrive with extra dampness in the air.
Hoya Curtisii Fertilizer
Hoyas are not heavy feeders but appreciate a monthly dose of balanced plant food when actively growing. If the plant is not growing, typically during the fall and winter, hold back on applying plant food.
Does the Curtisii Bloom?
Yes, the Hoya curtisii blooms. Its yellow-green star-shaped flowers, known as corollas, have red or pink coronas. Sunlight is essential for the Hoya curtisii to bloom, so find a sunny windowsill to enjoy the flowers. Although Hoyas are laid-back, their care must be spot-on for them to bloom.
Pruning Hoya Curtisii
Remove dead or damaged growth, but generally, the Fung Wax Flower doesn’t need any pruning. You can trim leggy stems for a more compact look. Move the plant to a sunny spot to prevent leggy growth in the future.
Do not remove the peduncle, the stem from which the flower stems emerge, because the plant will rebloom from the same spot.
Is Hoya Curtisii Pet Friendly?
The Fung Wax Flower is safe for homes with pets. The trailing stems may entice a cat or a curious dog. While not harmful, consider positioning the plant in an area inaccessible to pets or reconsider if you think the temptation may be too much.
Curtisii Plant Styling
Small plants look lovely in a pot on an end table or window sill. Plants with some length to the stems are a natural fit for a hanging planter. Another option is to position the plant on a table and give it a moss pole. The Hoya curtisii climbs in nature, and it will do the same inside if you give it something to hold onto. There’s no wrong way to style a curtisii, so do what works best for the plant and your space.