How to Grow and Care for Hoya Kentiana

Hoya centiana is an evergreen tropical vine native to Southeast Asia, known for its long, pointed leaves and fragrant red-purple flowers. Like other types of hoya, it is often grown indoors in temperate climates. As a houseplant, Hoya Quentiana is considered very rare.

This plant grows best in rich, well-drained soil, warm, moist conditions and plenty of indirect light. Hoya kentiana can be so similar to its relatives Hoya wayetii and Hoya shepherdii that it is sometimes misidentified by gardeners and houseplant enthusiasts.

Hoya Kentiana Care

Here are the basic requirements for growing Hoya Quentiana:

Place in bright, indirect light.
Plant in rich, well-drained soil.
Water constantly and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Feed regularly in spring and summer.

Light
Hoya Kentiana will grow best in plenty of bright, indirect light. The ideal location may be a few feet from a south or west facing window. You can keep the plant close to the window by hanging a thin curtain to filter the light and not make it too bright. Direct sunlight can damage your plants.

Earth
A rich, well-drained soil mixture works best for Hoya quintiana. Some gardeners prefer to use a ready-made succulent potting mix or African violet potting mix, which provides good drainage, aeration and moisture retention. You can make a potting mix for Hoya kentiana by mixing one part standard potting soil with one part perlite or orchid bark to lighten the soil.

Water
Hoya Quentiana requires constant watering, but it is important to allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Instead of watering on a fixed schedule, check the soil moisture about once a week by poking your finger into the soil. In summer, water when the top three inches are dry. In fall and winter, you can let the soil dry out completely between waterings. If you notice that the leaves of your Hoya Quentiana plant are starting to wilt, this is a sign that you should give the plant a drink of water.

Temperature and humidity
Hoya Quentiana grows best in warm, humid conditions that mimic its native tropical climate. Keep the plant in an area where the temperature is between 65 and 80 degrees. Hoya usually grows best at at least 50 percent humidity, with some varieties requiring 60 to 70 percent. Increase the humidity around the plant by turning on a humidifier or placing the plant in a tent or glass cabinet to retain humidity.

Fertilizers
Feed Hoya kentiana a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted by half every four to six weeks during the spring and summer. Stop fertilizing in the fall and resume fertilizing the following spring.

Types of Hoya Quintiana
The main variety of this plant is Hoya kentiana Variegata, which has variegated white-green leaves that turn pink at the edges in sufficiently bright light. Because Hoya kentiana and Hoya wayetii are often confused, Hoya wayetii cultivars such as “Lorilyn” are sometimes seen mislabeled as Hoya kentiana.

Cut
Remove dead or damaged Hoya centiana leaves as they help the plant look neat and provide energy for healthy growth. These plants typically grow slowly and don’t require regular pruning, but you may want to trim the plant if its vines are outgrowing your space. Don’t cut wilted flowers because they will bloom again next year.

Reproduction of Hoya Kentiana
Propagating Hoya Quentiana can be difficult, but you will have the most success in early summer, when it is actively growing. You will need a small pot, growing medium such as potting soil and perlite or sphagnum moss and perlite, rooting hormone (optional), a clear plastic bag, and sharp, sterilized pruning tools.

Choose healthy stems that do not bear flowers on the parent plant. Cut a piece 4 to 6 inches long with at least two leaves on top. Remove leaves from the bottom half of the cutting.
Fill the pot with growing medium and water thoroughly to moisten. Use your finger to make a hole in the middle of the pot.
Dip the cuttings in rooting hormone powder, then plant them in the hole you made in the growing medium.
Wrap the cutting in a plastic bag to retain moisture. Place the cutting in a warm place with indirect light.
Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. New growing leaves are a sign that the cutting has taken root. You can plant it in a pot and care for the plant as usual.

Potting and Repotting Hoya Kentiana

Hoya Quentiana is a relatively slow-growing plant, so it does not need to be replanted more than once every two to three years. It’s time to repot your plant when the surface of the soil is covered with roots or you see roots growing from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. Use terracotta pots one or two sizes larger to prevent the soil from getting soggy.

Common plant pests and diseases
Hoya centiana is susceptible to common houseplant pests such as aphids, mealybugs and leaf sucking scale insects. Check your plants regularly for signs of pests and act quickly if you notice them to prevent the infestation from getting worse. Remove pests with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol, or use garden soap and water to remove them.

How to make Hoya Kentiana bloom
Providing the right growing conditions and proper care are the best ways to get your Hoya Quentiana to bloom. Provide the plant with the required amount of water, adequate humidity and at least six hours of bright light every day. Even with proper care and conditions, Hoya Quentiana can take several years to bloom.

How long does Hoya Kentiana bloom?
Hoya Quentiana will bloom for about a week and then fade away.

What do Hoya Kentiana flowers look and smell like?
Hoya kentiana flowers are small star-shaped clusters of purple-red flowers with yellow centers. They are known for their toffee-like aroma.

How to stimulate more flowers
Keeping the plant in a pot can encourage flowering. Another tip: do not water the plant in winter for about a month so that it blooms in spring.

Deadly Hoya Kentiana
When Hoya kentiana flowers begin to wilt, allow them to fall naturally rather than killing them. Next year the flowers will bloom in the same place on the tree.

Common Problems with Hoya Kentiana
Hoya Quentiana can be a problem-free plant under the right growing conditions, but there are some signs of trouble to watch out for.

Leaves turn black/brown
Black spots on Hoya Quentiana leaves may be a sign of root rot caused by overwatering, especially if the stems have turned yellow or soft. Stop watering and allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. In severe cases, it is better to replant the plant in new soil, cutting off all dry or soft roots.

Wilting leaves
Wilting leaves may be a sign of overwatering. If the soil is very dry and the leaves look wrinkled or wrinkled, your plant needs a lot of watering.

Falling leaves
Hoya centiana may respond to changes in conditions or care by dropping its leaves or going dormant. Provide the plant with proper light, temperature, humidity and water to reduce the risk of leaf drop.