Growing Hoya ‘Krimson Queen’ Is Easy—Here’s How

How to Grow

• Put in a place with bright, indirect light.
• Plant in well-drained potting mix.
• Water when soil has begun to dry out.
• Give this plant warm, humid conditions.
• Fertilize once per month during the growing season.

Light

Give your hoya krimson queen lots of bright, indirect light. More light will give the plant more pronounced variegation. Keep it out of direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves and stunt your plant’s growth.

Soil

Pot hoya krimson queen in a light, well-drained potting mix with a slightly acidic or neutral pH. Standard houseplant potting mix with a few extra handfuls of perlite or coarse sand for drainage works well.

Water

Water your hoya krimson queen when the soil has dried out completely. Rather than watering on a regular schedule, check your plant’s soil moisture regularly and water accordingly. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which can be fatal for the plant. Note that your hoya will need less frequent waterings during the winter months.

Temperature and Humidity

Hoya krimson queen grows best when kept between 60 and 85 degrees. While hoyas have succulent leaves, they prefer humid rather than dry conditions. Shoot for at least 60 percent humidity if possible. If your space is very dry, consider grouping hoya krimson queen together with other moisture-loving houseplants to create a more humid microclimate. You can also run a small humidifier near your plant.

Fertilizer

Feed hoya krimson queen with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength once per month during the growing season. Begin fertilizing when you see the first new growth in spring and continue until days shorten and temperatures cool in fall. Avoid fertilizing until the following spring.

Propagating Hoya Krimson Queen

Hoya krimson queen is relatively easy to propagate by rooting stem cuttings in soil. Before you begin, gather a healthy mother plant, small plant pots, fresh potting mix, a clear plastic bag, sterilized pruners, and optional rooting hormone. Here’s how to propagate hoya krimson queen.

1. Choose a healthy stem on the mother plant that has at least two leaves and one node. Make a diagonal cut just below the node.
2. Fill the pot with potting mix and water to moisten it well. Make a hole in the center of the potting mix with your finger or a pencil.
3. Dip the bottom end of the stem in rooting hormone powder, shaking off any excess. Plant the cutting in the hole, making sure the node is below the soil line and patting gently around the stem to keep it in place.
4. Put the cutting in a warm place with bright, indirect light. Drape the bag over the cutting to help hold in humidity. The cutting should root in about four weeks.
5. When you see new leaf growth, the cutting has rooted and can be potted up or cared for as usual.

Potting and Repotting Hoya Krimson Queen

Hoya krimson queen isn’t a heavy feeder and grows relatively slowly, so you shouldn’t have to repot your plant more than every two to three years. However, if you notice that the plant’s roots are growing out of the bottom of the pot or completely filling the pot and growth has slowed, repotting is a good idea.

Plan to repot in spring when the plant is actively growing, and water the plant well the day before you repot to reduce damage to its roots. Use a pot that’s only an inch or two larger in diameter, making sure it has adequate drainage. Some gardeners prefer terra cotta pots for hoyas because they wick away moisture, which helps to prevent overwatering.

Common Problems With Hoya Krimson Queen

Yellow Leaves

Leaves that turn yellow, curl, and eventually drop off are a common sign that you’re overwatering your plant. Cut back on watering and allow the soil to dry out between waterings in the future.

Wrinkled Leaves

Hoya krimson queen’s soil should dry out between waterings, but waiting too long to water can cause leaves to wrinkle and grow limp. Confirm the diagnosis by checking soil moisture, as overwatering can also cause a wrinkled appearance. Give the plant a deep soak and check soil moisture regularly to avoid underwatering in the future.

Plant Not Flowering

Hoya plants can take anywhere from a few to several years to bloom. Low light, overwatering, and lack of fertilizer can prevent a mature plant from blooming.