Hoya Krimson Queen is an epiphytic vine from the wax family. It has been popular in the past and is coming back into the limelight for its exotic, variegated, and tricolored leaves. It has green leaves with creamy-white or pink sides. The clusters of star-shaped, chocolate-scented flowers enhance its beauty. This Hoya Variegata is a famous houseplant that can also be grown in hanging baskets. You can grow it indoors by fulfilling all the Hoya Krimson Queen care requirements to make a classy statement in your room.
Hoya Krimson Queen Care Requirements
This lovely Krimson Queen plant from the Hoya genus is really easy to grow. All you have to do is to water it thrice a week. It needs bright, indirect sunlight and 70-80% humidity. The recommended growth zones are 10-12. The optimum temperature range for its healthy growth is 16°C to 35°C.
Water
This tricolor beauty is a succulent plant having thick, waxy leaves. It can retain some water in its leaves, so you don’t have to worry if you forget to water it for some time. Hoya Krimson Queen Care involves weekly watering. For healthy growth, water your Hoya Tricolor twice to thrice a week. Follow this watering schedule in summers and spring.
In winters, reduce watering to once a week; it depends on how warm your indoors are. Always check the topsoil before watering. You can use the thumb rule to check its dryness. Stick your index finger into the top 1-2 soil. If the top inches are still moist, wait for some more days before watering it.
Soil Requirements
Like every other houseplant, this tricolor beauty prefers well-drained and airy soil. You should be very careful while choosing a potting mix. The potting mix must be airy enough to allow enough aeration, and it must be granular enough to retain the necessary amount of water.
You can use a mixture of perlite, peat moss, and vermiculite as a potting mix. Orchid bark and coconut husk also increase aeration. For better drainage, add some sand or peat moss. All of these substances ensure faster and healthier growth of your Queen plant.
Sunlight
This lovely Hoya plant is famous for its variegated leaves. Variegated plants need more sunlight than non-variegated ones because they can only use their greener parts for photosynthesis. You must place your Hoya Variegata in a well-lit spot where it receives adequate indirect, bright sunlight. Its best placement indoors is an east-facing window. You just have to make sure that your Krimson Queen is receiving enough light exposure in whichever corner you place it.
If you are growing this Hoya beauty outdoors, keep it under shade cloth where it is safe from the direct, scorching sun. Bright, filtered light will also do the trick.
Temperature Requirements
Hoyas love warmer indoors. It thrives well in warmer temperatures ranging from 16°C to 35°C. Areas in the tropical belt are at this temperature range, so if you live in one of those areas, you can easily grow this lovely vine indoors.
This gorgeous plant is not frost-hardy. It cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. If you are growing this plant outdoors or in your home garden, you should move Hoya Krimson Queen indoors in winter.
Humidity
Maintaining high humidity levels is an important part of Hoya Carnosa Krimson Queen Care. This adorable plant loves high humidity. It is best if the humidity levels around this plant are kept between 70-80%. However, this level is much higher than the normal amount of moisture indoors. To increase moisture in the air in your rooms, you will have to use a humidifier. However, you can also do some other simple tricks that are also easy and effective.
- You can place a pebble tray below your plant. The water from the pebbles evaporates and increases moisture around the plant.
- You can keep your plant in a group with other ones so their collective transpiration increase humidity.
- However, avoid frequent misting because it can attract fungal infections.
Fertilizer
This Hoya Queen thrives well if fed with proper fertilizer. You can always count on organic fertilizers for their lush growth. Make sure that the amount of potassium is less in NPK. Be careful with the addition of liquid fertilizer as its excess quantity and strength can burn your lovely plant.
Monthly feeding is enough for this tricolor beauty. You should pause fertilization in winters and autumn.
Grooming and Pruning
Hoya tricolor is all about beautiful leaves and lovely foliage. You can maintain its shape and groom it according to your taste by pruning. You should cut the dead and old leaves whenever you spot them to let the healthy ones breathe and stay fresh.
Growth
Hoya Krimson Queen is an indoor houseplant. Its optimum USDA plant hardiness growth zones are 10 to 12.
Diseases and Pests
This variegated Hoya species is a succulent plant that does not want to be overwatered. Excessive watering can lead to stem and root rot. Also, remove the debris from its base, as it attracts fungus.
These lovely plants are also dear to many pests. You should get rid of any unnecessary pests lurking around your Hoya plant. Look out for spider mites, mealybugs, and scales.
Re-potting
These charming plants are epiphytes that require nutrients and minerals to grow. You should re-pot your Hoya plant every year to change its potting mix that contains fresh nutrients. Do not re-pot your plant when it is blooming. Early spring is the best time to move your Hoya Queen to a bigger pot with fresh soil.
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Hoya Krimson Queen Propagation
Propagating a Hoya plant is as easy as other succulents. You can propagate it by stem cuttings. These cuttings must be taken in middle spring to middle summer. Following is the step-by-tutorial for the propagation of Hoya Krimson Queen:
- Take a 5-7 inches long stem cutting.
- Remove the leaves from their bottom while leaving 3-4 leaves at the top.
- Take a small container with drainage holes and fill it with potting medium.
- Put the cutting into the soil in such a way that the leaves are above the soil surface.
- Pour water until the drainage holes start dripping.
- Place the pot in a warm and well-lit spot where it receives sufficient bright, indirect light.
