Hoya ‘Royal Flush’, a cultivar of Hoya lacunosa, is known for its striking foliage and charming blooms. This plant is popular among houseplant enthusiasts due to its unique aesthetic and manageable care, offering a rewarding experience for both novice and experienced plant parents.
Understanding Hoya Royal Flush’s Unique Appearance
Hoya ‘Royal Flush’ is visually appealing due to its distinctive leaf coloration. New growth emerges with deep violet, burgundy, or black hues, contrasting older foliage. As leaves mature, they transition to a rich green, often retaining splashes of silver or minty blue. This dynamic color change, influenced by light, gives the plant its “royal flush” effect. Mature leaves are rigid and can display significant silver splash, especially with higher light.
Hoya Royal Flush Care Requirements
Hoya ‘Royal Flush’ thrives with consistent care, ensuring robust growth and vibrant foliage.
Light
Hoya ‘Royal Flush’ prefers bright, indirect light conditions. Placing it near a sunny window with filtered light, such as behind a sheer curtain, is ideal. While it tolerates some direct morning sun, intense afternoon sunlight should be avoided as it can scorch leaves and fade their coloration. Insufficient light can lead to leggy growth, slower development, and reduced silver splash on the leaves.
Watering
The plant prefers its soil to dry out between waterings, similar to succulents, as its waxy leaves store water. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to become dry before watering again. Overwatering is a common issue that can lead to root rot, so ensure excess water drains completely from the pot.
Soil and Potting
A well-draining, airy potting mix is essential for Hoya ‘Royal Flush’. A suitable blend often includes components like orchid bark, perlite, and a small amount of potting soil or peat moss. This type of mix prevents waterlogging, which can be detrimental to the plant’s root system. Terracotta pots are often recommended due to their breathability, which further aids in preventing overly moist conditions. These hoyas tend to have smaller root systems and prefer pots that are not excessively large; only repot into a pot one inch larger when the plant becomes root-bound.
Temperature and Humidity
Hoya ‘Royal Flush’ thrives in average indoor temperatures, ideally between 55°F and 85°F (13°C and 29°C). It appreciates moderate to high humidity, typically 50-75%. While it tolerates slightly lower humidity, increased humidity, especially around 60-65%, encourages faster growth and vigor.
Fertilizing
During the active growing season (spring through summer), Hoya ‘Royal Flush’ benefits from regular fertilization. A diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer applied monthly is generally sufficient. Fertilizing during the dormant period in fall and winter is not necessary and can be harmful, potentially leading to a buildup of salts in the soil.
Encouraging Blooms on Hoya Royal Flush
Hoya ‘Royal Flush’ can produce fragrant blooms under specific conditions. Bright, indirect light is a primary factor for flowering. Consistent care and allowing the plant to become somewhat root-bound can also encourage blooming.
The plant produces clusters of small, star-shaped, waxy flowers, characteristic of the Hoya genus. These blooms emerge from specialized structures called peduncles, which should not be removed after flowering, as the plant reblooms from the same spot. While generally small and white, flowers may have a light red to purple flush in high light conditions. They often have a pleasant fragrance, sometimes compared to cinnamon.
Propagating Hoya Royal Flush
Propagating Hoya ‘Royal Flush’ is straightforward, most commonly through stem cuttings. Select a healthy stem section, approximately 4-6 inches long, with at least one or two leaf nodes.
After taking the cutting, some growers allow the cut end to callus for 12-24 hours to prevent rot before placing it in a rooting medium. Cuttings can be rooted in water, where roots typically develop within weeks, or directly in a light, well-draining soil mix. If rooting in water, ensure nodes are submerged and change the water weekly. Once roots are about 1-2 inches long, transplant the cutting into a small pot with appropriate Hoya soil.
Common Issues and Solutions
Hoya ‘Royal Flush’ can encounter a few common problems. Understanding these issues helps maintain a healthy plant.
Yellowing leaves are frequently a sign of improper watering, either too much or too little. If leaves are soft and mushy, it indicates overwatering, while dry, shriveled leaves suggest underwatering. Adjusting your watering schedule to allow the soil to dry out between waterings can resolve this.
Lack of growth or leggy stems often points to insufficient light. Moving the plant to a brighter, indirect light location can encourage more compact and vigorous growth. Pests like aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs can occasionally affect Hoyas. Inspecting leaves regularly and treating infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil can help manage these issues.