Hoya Bella

Hoyas are in the milkweed family and have a thick, waxy flower that is very similar to their butterfly-attracting cousins. Hoya Bella is a tropical vining plant native to Australia and Asia. The highly scented, waxy flowers bloom from May until September, while the foliage remains  a medium-green color year round. Of the 900 varieties and cultivars of Hoya, ‘Bella’ is one of the easiest for new gardeners to grow.Best Locations For Growing Hoya BellaBella looks best either left to sprawl out of a hanging basket or trained to grow vertically on a trellis or other support. Hoya makes a great patio or deck plant in the summer. While in full bloom, they attract hummingbirds and butterflies with their large amounts of nectar.Hoya Bella Sunlight RequirementsIndoors, Hoya prefers bright, all-day sun exposure if possible. South-facing windows are excellent for this. The second and third choices would be an east-facing or west-facing window with at least 4 hours of direct sun early or late in the day. Outdoors, Hoya will need to be shielded from the intensity of the midday or late-day sun. Dappled shade or bright shade will help to keep the foliage deep green.Hoya Bella CareHoya Bella will bloom better when it is slightly rootbound. Pot your hoya in a mix of 1 part potting soil and 1 part fine orchid bark to provide fast drainage and rich nutrients. Do not be tempted to deadhead Hoya after the first flush of blooms. Much like an Orchid, another flower may form farther down on the original bloom stem. Deadheading and pruning back of any dead foliage should be done just before bringing the plant indoors for the fall. Remember to pay attention to nighttime temperatures and bring Hoya Bella in the house when the temperatures at night fall below 50 degrees F.Watering Hoya BellaHoyas like to have their soil dry out in between waterings. Once a week, check to see if the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. Water thoroughly and discard any standing water in the saucer after 10-15 minutes. Hoya likes humidity levels higher than 40% and appreciates being misted with distilled water every 2-3 days or having a cool-mist humidifier nearby.Feeding Hoya BellaA balanced, general houseplant fertilizer is fine for Hoya. Use a liquid formulation and apply it monthly at half the manufacturer’s recommended amount. Fertilizing is not necessary during the winter when Hoya slows growth.Hoya Bella InformationLight Exposure: Bright Direct Light, Bright Indirect Light, Medium LightCare Requirements: EasyWatering Requirements: Average – When the top 2 inches of the soil dries out.Pet Friendly: YesKid Friendly: YesAir Purifier: ModerateHabit: TrailingGrowth Rate: Moderate to FastMature Height: 4 feetMature Spread: 20 inchesFlowering: YesFlower Color(s): Pink, Purple, WhiteFlower Shade/Description: White Flowers with A Pinkish-Purple CenterFragrant: YesFoliage Type: Foliage Color(s): GreenFoliage Description: Medium GreenTemperature: 71° – 75°F (22° – 24°C)Humidity: Average (40% – 60%)Common Name: Hoya Bella Other Name(s): Beautiful Hoya, Waxflower, Pretty WaxflowerScientific Name: Hoya bellaPlant Type: House Plant