Hoya Burtoniae: Complete Grow & Care Guide

Hoya burtoniae, best known for exquisite waxy maroon flowers and a honey-like scent, is a rare find. And to keep these rare beauties thriving, you must fulfill all the care requirements.

Lets us follow this comprehensive guide to learn the ins and outs of growing Hoya burtoniae.

Overview of Hoya Burtoniae

Hoya burtoniae is an evergreen flowering vine endemic to the Philippines and boasts small green braid leaves with almond-shaped, velvety, and lustrous leaves.

Hoya Burtoniae– Extended Care Guide

This Hoya species is an easygoing and fast-growing plant, making it one of the best-hanging plants similar to other Hoya varieties.

Give them all your love and attention, and receive plentiful blooms throughout spring.

1. Indirect Bright Sunlight

Hoya burtoniae enjoys gentle morning sunlight from the east-facing window or can also appreciate afternoon sunlight for two hours when placed under a western-facing window.

Excess sunlight from the window can cause the plant to have bleached, pale, or colorless leaves. Eventually, leaves turn crisp and start falling off due to dehydration. 

So, you might have to bring your Hoya indoors to avoid summer heat waves.

Further, your Hoya can happily flower in USDA zone 9-11, but the low light and temperature below 20°F obstruct photosynthesis, making the stems weak and withered.

Using grow light can help fulfill the light requirement of indoor Hoya, and for the outdoor ones, use burlap cloth to prevent snow damage. 

Pro Tip: Do not place your plant around air conditioners and radiators to prevent extreme temperature hazards leading to death.

2. Moderate Watering & High Humidity

Hoya burtoniae have semi-succulent foliage and can go without water for 8-10 days if the humidity is around 50-70%, similar to its native home Philippines.

Similarly, the plant can grow well in ordinary household humidity above 40% with regular watering.

For that, take a chopstick and insert it into the pot. Water them if more than an inch of the chopstick comes out dry.

Drain the excess water to prevent soggy roots and root rot leading to yellow and droopy leaves.

Similarly, you may group your high humidity-loving Hoya with other indoor plants to prevent dryness in the air. 

And when you are at peak summer with dry air moisture, you may also use a humidifier to avoid dry tips and overall plant wilting.

3. Soil & Fertilizer

Hoya burtoniae does best in well-draining soil, slightly acidic to neutral, and retains enough hydration to keep the plant’s roots delighted while draining excess water to keep them from standing in water.

However, adding a handful of perlite to your commercial mix does wonders in increasing the porosity of the soil, allowing the roots to breathe and grow.

Or, you may curate the potting mix by incorporating 1/3 potting soil with 1/3 orchid mix and 1/3 perlite. 

If you opt for average garden soil instead of potting soil, your Hoya plant might struggle with yellow and wilted lower leave, leaf and bloom drops, and slow growth.

Make sure you add regular garden fertilizer to replenish Hoya’s nutrients. 

If you use a general-purpose fertilizer to help your plant grow, dilute it to half-strength.

Pro Tip: Use high phosphate fertilizer for 2 months before the Hoya plant starts. If possible, prevent getting the liquid on the stems and leaves.

4. Potting and Repotting

Hoya plants are less fussy regarding their living space and do not demand frequent repotting as they grow the best in a slightly rootbound condition.

Unless the roots start peeking out of the drain hole or problems like overwatering and excess fertilization persist, you must pull your repotting sleeves up. 

Before you begin the process, get a terracotta pot 2-3 inches larger than the previous one. 

Gently pull the Hoya from the pots such that the roots are unharmed, and remove any mushy rotted roots. 

And, if the roots impart an excessively foul smell, rinse the plant with soapy water prior to repotting them. 

Further, fill the new container with the prepared potting mix and plant the Hoya, lightly pressing it to keep it firm and sturdy.

Pro Tip: Avoid completely drenching your newly repotted plant. Instead, lightly water them and place them under bright indirect sunlight.

5. Pruning Hoya Burtoniae

Hoya burtoniae grows larger outside, notably in the outdoors, due to its natural habitat.

The extensive growing nature makes the plant look bushy and unaesthetic in no time and demands occasional pruning.

Besides, pests like mealy bugs and aphids infest the plant leaving chalky and dusty-looking leaves and vines.

As soon as the symptoms appear, apply neem oil and insecticides to halt the pest population.

However, trimming becomes mandatory if pest infestation becomes severe.

But ensure you do not harm the bloom spurs, or else you’ll miss the following year’s blooms.

Hoya Burtoniae: All About the Growth Rate

Hoya burtoniae, as a house plant, can climb to a height of 4 to 6 feet or more under proper care.

However, the newer leaves are entirely brown and gradually turn green as days pass.

As the plant matures, it will produce reddish-white flowers made up of multiple blooms in an umbel and can be dangling or upright, lasting for at least a week.

They are star-shaped with microscopic hairs that give them a fuzzy appearance.

Toxicity of Hoya Burtoniae

Hoya burtoniae is an excellent introduction to any yard or interior decor, not only because of its decor benefit but also due to its harmless effect.

However, do not let your pets munch on the leaves, as Hoya produces milky sap that can irritate the oral cavity and cause abdominal discomfort.

If the symptom does not subside for longer, contact the helpline below.

• AAPCC: (800) 222-1222
• ASPCA Poison Center : (800) 426-4435

Propagation Methods for Hoya Burtoniae

There are two common methods to propagate Hoya plants: stem cutting and leaf cutting. 

But for the Hoya plant to have better root growth and establishment, you need to start the propagation during their growing season, i.e., string and early summer. 

Regardless, starting early helps the plant to have strong roots essential to survive the dormant winter. 

Propagation via Leaf Cuttings

The leaf-cutting method is the easiest and most suitable for gardeners having less space and time to look after their Hoya.

• Remove a healthy leaf from the bottom of a plant with the petiole intact.
• Soak these leaves (with petiole) in a rooting hormone to increase their chances of success.
• Now, place 5 to 6 leaves in a container, cut side down with the tips covered in soil for rooting.
• Ensure each leaf is adequately spaced apart in the pot to avoid overcrowding.

It may take anywhere from 6 to 7 weeks for the leaves to initiate roots. 

However, the only drawback to this method is the time consumed for rooting and fluctuating success rate.

Propagation via Stem Cuttings

To propagate Hoya from stem cutting, you’ll need to select a few healthy stems of 4-6 inches with two leaves intact.

• Remove the lower leaves, if any, to expose nodes for new root growth.
• Dip the cutting into the fresh water container, ensuring no leaves touch the water.
• You may also use rooting hormones to enhance the rooting process.
• Place the container with the cutting under bright yet indirect light.
• In about four weeks, roots will grow in length and volume. But, if it has aerial roots, you can witness small white roots grown as early as within a week.

Once the roots are 1-2 inches long, transplant them into your desired pot.

Hoya Burtoniae: Plant on Sale

Unlike other Hoya plants like Rope Hoya and Hoya Sunrise, burtoniae are challenging to find in your local nursery. 

Considering the same, some online sites may have Hoya burtoniae available.

Hoya Burtoniae vs. Bilobata

Many confuse Hoya Burtoniae with its close relative and a fellow Hoya variety, bilobata.

Both plants have identical olive green colors on the upper side, dark green margins, and similar environmental requirements.

However, they differ in physical attributes like height, leaf shape, and size.