The ‘Royal Hawaiian Purple’ Hoya (Hoya pubicalyx ‘Royal Hawaiian Purple’) is a popular houseplant known for its unique foliage and stunning blooms. This vining plant offers an exotic appeal, making it a rewarding addition to any indoor collection.
Understanding Your Royal Hawaiian Purple Hoya
The ‘Royal Hawaiian Purple’ Hoya, a cultivar of Hoya pubicalyx, originates from Southeast Asia. It exhibits a vining, epiphytic growth habit, naturally growing on other plants or structures rather than in soil.
Its narrow, dark green leaves often display attractive silver flecks. New growth and stems can also emerge with a dark purple hue. Bright light enhances the purple tint in new foliage.
The star-shaped flowers range from light purple to almost black, sometimes appearing mottled with pink. These fragrant blooms appear in clusters of 20 to 40 flowers, lasting up to seven days. Its epiphytic nature means it requires well-draining, airy soil that mimics its natural conditions.
Essential Care for Thriving Growth
Light Needs
The ‘Royal Hawaiian Purple’ Hoya thrives in bright, indirect light conditions. Placing it in an east-facing window or a few feet away from a south or west-facing window provides optimal light without risking leaf scorch. Lower light can result in slower growth and fewer blooms. Too much direct sun, particularly during peak hours, may scorch or redden leaves. Adequate light enhances the purple color in new foliage.
Watering Practices
Watering practices are important for the ‘Royal Hawaiian Purple’ Hoya, as it is susceptible to root rot if overwatered. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. This “soak and dry” method ensures the roots receive moisture without remaining in consistently wet conditions. During the growing season (spring and summer), water more frequently than in winter. Check the top inch or two of soil for dryness to determine when to water.
Soil Requirements
Given its epiphytic nature, the ‘Royal Hawaiian Purple’ Hoya requires a very well-draining and airy potting mix. A suitable mixture includes components like orchid bark, perlite, and peat or coco coir. This chunky composition allows for good aeration around the roots and prevents stagnant water, which can lead to root issues. The goal is to replicate the loose, porous environment found in its natural habitat.
Temperature and Humidity
The ‘Royal Hawaiian Purple’ Hoya prefers warm temperatures, ideally ranging between 15°C to 27°C (60°F to 80°F). It is sensitive to cold drafts and temperatures below 10°C (50°F), which can cause stress. The plant appreciates moderate to high humidity. While it tolerates average household humidity, providing higher humidity (around 60-70%) encourages robust growth. This can be achieved through regular misting or a pebble tray.
Fertilization
During its active growing season (spring and summer), the ‘Royal Hawaiian Purple’ Hoya benefits from regular fertilization. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer, or one rich in potassium and phosphorus to encourage flowering, every four to six weeks. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to nutrient imbalances or salt buildup. Reduce or stop fertilization during the plant’s dormant winter period.
Potting and Repotting Considerations
The ‘Royal Hawaiian Purple’ Hoya prefers to be somewhat root-bound, flowering more prolifically when its roots are snug. Repot when roots emerge from drainage holes, the plant becomes top-heavy, or growth declines. Repotting is best done in spring or early summer.
Select a pot only one size larger with adequate drainage. Gently remove the plant, inspect roots, and trim any that are soft or rotten. Place fresh, well-draining Hoya-specific potting mix at the bottom, center the plant, and backfill. Ensure the plant is at the same depth as before. Wait a few days before the first watering to allow roots to heal.
Propagating Your Royal Hawaiian Purple Hoya
Propagating the ‘Royal Hawaiian Purple’ Hoya is commonly done through stem cuttings. The ideal time is during the growing season (spring or summer). Select a healthy stem with at least two nodes (where leaves and roots emerge) and a few leaves. Make a clean cut below a node.
Cuttings can be rooted in water or a moist, airy medium like sphagnum moss or a perlite-based mix. If rooting in water, ensure at least one node is submerged. For soil or moss, insert the cut end into the medium, ensuring nodes contact the substrate. High humidity and warmth increase rooting success, with roots typically forming within three to four weeks.
Troubleshooting Common Hoya Issues
Yellowing leaves are a common issue for the ‘Royal Hawaiian Purple’ Hoya, often related to watering. Overwatering causes leaves to yellow and become soft, while underwatering results in dry, yellowing older leaves. Adjusting the watering schedule to allow soil to dry out can resolve these issues. Nutrient deficiencies can also cause yellowing, addressed with a balanced fertilizer.
Lack of blooms is another frequent concern. Insufficient light is often the primary reason for a Hoya not flowering. Moving the plant to a brighter location with ample indirect light can encourage blooming. Hoyas prefer to be slightly root-bound to flower, so an overly large pot might hinder bloom production. Proper fertilization during the growing season can also stimulate flowering.
Pest infestations, particularly mealybugs and spider mites, can affect the Hoya. Mealybugs appear as small, white, cottony masses. Treat them by wiping with rubbing alcohol or spraying with insecticidal soap. Spider mites are tiny and create fine webbing. Rinse the plant and apply neem oil or insecticidal soap.