Hoya Chelsea or Hoya Carnosa Chelsea are rare Hoyas known for their thick, green leaves. It is an excellent plant for beginners because it requires very little care.
Our holistic guide covers all aspects of its care and growth.
What is Hoya Chelsea?
Table of Contents
Hoya Chelsea, a trailing variety Carnosa that is native to Australia and Eastern Asia, is a Carnosa variety. Its sweet, sweet aroma makes it an excellent choice for any gardener. This easy-to-grow perennial has many other names, including the Honey plant (Chelsea Wax plant), Wax vine, Porcelain plant, and many others.
Hoya Chelsea Care
Hoya Chelsea is an easy-to-grow plant that can be used by both experienced and novice gardeners. Below are the requirements for light, water, and soil mix.
– Water Requirements
Hoya Chelsea is a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plant. It only requires watering when the soil has dried to the top. It is possible to let the soil mix dry completely before watering.
Always check the soil before watering. You can water your plant if it is dry. If the soil sticks to your finger for more than a few days, you can wait and check again. This helps prevent overwatering problems.
Watering is not a set schedule and will vary depending on temperature and humidity. Watering Hoya Chelsea Chelsea once per week during the spring and summer and once every two weeks during fall and winter is a good idea.
High temperatures can cause your plant to dry out more frequently. In the summer, water is more important, especially in dry conditions, than in humid tropical areas.
Minimum Requirement
Hoya Chelsea likes bright indirect light. It is best to keep it out of direct sunlight, particularly during noon, as this can cause leaf burns. The plant can be grown comfortably in both morning and evening sunshine.
Place the plant in a sunny but shaded location with east-facing windows and balconies. This easy-going plant will thrive in indirect and dappled light.
Your Hoya Chelsea will lose its leaves if it gets too much light. The plant will show leggy growth when kept in low light conditions for longer periods. The new leaves are smaller than the old ones and grow farther apart. This is because the plant tries to reach the sunlight.
Hoya Chelsea is a tropical tree plant that thrives in dappled sunlight. Your plant will eventually die if it is exposed to direct sunlight.
Soil Mix
Hoya Carnosa soil must be well-drained and of high quality. Any succulent soil mix will work well for this plant’s growth. However, you can add perlite or orchid bark to the regular soil mix for better drainage.
Hoya Chelsea likes neutral to acidic soils with pH levels between 6 and 7. Either use the ready-made cacti soil mixture or make your own—Mix one-third of perlite, orchid bark, and garden soil.
To make your soil mix organically rich, add organic compost or mulch. This will make it fertile and healthy for the plants. If the soil feels too compact, you can add sand.
Temperature
Hoya Carnosa Chelsea grows well in moderate temperatures. Average household temperatures are fine, and temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit will be great for this plant. You will need to water your plant more if the temperature rises.
Although Hoya Chelsea can survive in cold temperatures, it cannot withstand prolonged periods of freezing. Although it can tolerate slightly lower temperatures, temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit will cause trouble for the plant. Also, in frigid temperatures, you should bring your plant inside.
This beautiful plant is an excellent addition to indoor gardens because of its drought and heat tolerance.
Humidity
Although Hoya Chelsea can tolerate the average humidity levels in homes, it thrives in high humidity. Keep the humidity at 60 percent.
If the humidity is low in your region, you might consider adding a humidifier to the plant or setting up a humidity tray. To make a humidity tray. Fill one shallow tray with water and pebbles, and place your plant over it.
Fertilizer
Fertilize Hoya Chelsea once a month in the spring and twice in the summer. We recommend using a balanced, liquid fertilizer to reach the roots. Before the blooming season, use a phosphorus-rich fertilizer and a regular fertilizer throughout the year.
Pruning
It is important to remember that the Hoya Chelsea Plant does not require trimming its stems. However, it would help if you watered them when the leaves turned brown or yellow.
The Hoya Chelsa doesn’t need to be repotted every single year, as it can continue to grow in the same soil for many years. Repot Hoya Chelsea once its roots emerge from the bottom drainage holes or when the soil mixture starts to decompose.
Roots peering out drainage holes indicate that the plant requires more growing space. The soil will become darker and more disintegrated as it begins to decompose. These signs can be found in plants and should be addressed when replanting them in new potting soil.
Hoya Chelsea Propagation
Hoya Carnosa Chelsea can be propagated easily through stem cuttings, leaves, and air layering. Spring or early summer is the best time for this plant to be propagated. Stem cutting propagation is also the most efficient and convenient. We’ll be looking into them more.
Stem Cutting
You can propagate Hoya Chelsea by stem cuttings. A cutting should be at least two inches in length. It should also have some leaves as well as one or two nodes. A node is a point where new growth begins.
The bottom leaves should be removed and the stem left alone. Dip the cutting in rooting hormone, but this step can be done at your discretion. You can now either grow the cutting in soil or water.
Water
To prevent rot, keep the water changing twice per week. The roots will start to develop within a few weeks. When the roots reach about 2 inches in length, you can remove the cutting and plant it in the soil.
Keep the soil moist until the cutting grows roots. A sudden change in the soil to water can cause shock. Keeping the soil mixture moist is also advisable to protect the cutting from shocks from environmental change.
Soil
You can also take the cutting from the mother plants and plant it directly in the soil. This method is not ideal as you can’t monitor the root growth.
This propagation method is foolproof because it does not suffer any shock from environmental changes. It takes approximately four weeks for new roots to develop from the cutting.
Stem Cuttings in Sphagnum Moss or Leca
Another great way to propagate Hoya Chelsea is to use a combination of perlite and sphagnum moss. You can place the cut in the mixture of perlite and sphagnum moss and then cover it with a transparent plastic piece to maintain the humidity. Once the roots have developed, you can take off the plastic sheet.
Leca can also propagate Hoya Chelsea. Leca, which absorbs water, helps the roots to grow more oxygen. This semi-hydroponic method is used to propagate plants.
Through Leaves
You can propagate leaves from fallen leaves that have small petioles. It takes about five to six weeks for leaf cuttings with roots to become viable.
To encourage new growth, place the leaves on a moist soil mixture. To propagate Hoya Chestnut leaves takes more time than to take stem cuttings.
Through Seeds
Although propagating Hoya Chelsea takes the longest time, seeds can be challenging to find and take longer to germinate. If you do manage to obtain seeds, plant them in a small container in regular soil with some perlite.
Add more soil mix to the seeds. After watering the seeds, wait for them to produce leaves before you replant them in new pots.
By Air-Layering
Another method for propagation that is very popular is air-layering. Hoya Chelsea’s flexible stems make it possible to propagate it by air-layering. Before you begin, fill a small container with a well-draining mixture of soil and fertilizer.
Pick a healthy stem that has nodes and leaves. Then, place the cut on the soil mixture and pin it. Water the soil regularly and place the plant in a warm area where it can receive indirect, bright light. When a few roots have formed on the stem, you can separate the stem from its mother plant and place it in a different pot.
Problems
Hoya Chelsea is an easy-to-grow plant. However, it can sometimes have some problems. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Overwatering
Hoya Chelsea’s most common problem is overwatering. This causes root rot and fungal problems. Root rot can cause roots to become mushy, gray, and dark.
To determine if the plant has begun to rot, check the roots. If you see signs of rot, such as the roots becoming mushy and the plant getting weaker, it is time to remove the roots and repot them in a new soil mixture. After the plant has settled, do not water it for several days. Once the plant is dry, you can resume your normal care.
To grow Hoya Chelsea, choose pots that have enough drainage holes. Use a well-draining soil mix. Your plant will most likely recover if it isn’t damaged.
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Root Rot
Root rot is likely to cause wilting, brown-black spots on your leaves, or a generalized symptom. Wilting is a sign of root rot. However, the Hoya Chelsea’s thick, waxy leaves resist wilting.
Root rot can be detected by checking the roots to determine if they are mushy, black, or otherwise. Take out any dead roots, and then replant the Hoya in new soil. Remove any wilted growth and damaged leaves.
Pests
Hoya Chelsea is not particularly susceptible to pests or diseases, but its scented flowers may attract common pests like mealybugs, aphids, and root-rot nematodes.
Mealybugs
Hoya Chelsea is home to tiny mealybugs. They are found on the stems and undersides of the leaves. These tiny, white pests can be easily identified by their soft-cottony bodies. Spray them with water or use a damp cloth to get rid of them.
A water spray should suffice to control light-to-moderate infestations. Depending on how many mealybugs you have, you may need to repeat this process. However, neem oil is an organic solution.
In a 1-liter bottle, mix one to two tablespoons of neem oil and water. Apply the solution to the affected areas, and you’ll notice a decrease in mealybug populations after a few weeks.
Root Rot Nematode
Because it thrives in high humidity and warm temperatures, root rot nematode is Hoya’s most serious pest infestation. Root rot nematode can cause a decline in plant health in Hoya Chelsea. In severe cases, it can even lead to death.
In this instance, you can save your plant by cutting the stem from the infected area and replanting them with a new soil mix. Regularly spray the affected areas with neem oil to see if your plant’s health improves.
You could also spray an insecticide soap solution on the plant but make sure to keep your house clean to prevent future infestations.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Hoya Chelsea.
What is the Growth and Size of Hoya Chelsea’s Chelsea?
Hoya Chelsea is a slow-growing but very adaptable plant. The Hoya Chelsea has a distinct sweet smell and can grow to 12 feet if kept outside.
Hoya Carnosa Chelsea is a climber that has pink or red stems. The stems are pink, and the puckered leaves have raised veins that give the plant its unique appearance.
Why is my Hoya Chelsea not growing?
Many factors can cause slow or no growth in your Hoya Chelsea, including overwatering, poor soil media, inadequate light, and poor airflow. Take note of the signs your plant is trying to tell you, and adjust the conditions accordingly.
What are the Leaves of Hoya Chelsea Like?
Hoya Chelsea’s foliage is waxy and glossy. The semi-succulent, waxy leaves are often misunderstood as real. Furthermore, the new leaves are small and do not unfold even when fully grown.
The new leaves are light-colored and grow from the stem. They remain small in size. They will eventually grow to full size and color. However, don’t be discouraged if they are still small. They will get bigger later. They have dull white spots on the surface of heart-shaped leaves.
Hoya Chelsea slow-growing?
Hoya Chelsea, in general, is slower-growing than other houseplants. It is dormant during winter, showing little new growth. In spring, it produces new leaves.
Is the Hoya Chelsea in Bloom?
Yes, the Hoya Chelsea can produce inflorescences. These are star-shaped clusters of flowers on stems. The flower buds are formed from spurs on the stems during early summer. They die in winter. Each bloom measures about 1 inch. It matures in 2 to 3 weeks.
The Hoya Chelsea flower has distinctive waxy petals and is flesh-like in color. These flowers are also unique and easy to recognize from far away. Hoya Chelsea flowers are usually in full bloom between spring and early summer.
The flowers are available in various colors, including white, pink, or maroon. The outer portion is usually white, while the center is darker.
How do I repot the Hoya Chelsea?
Take the plant out of the soil and inspect for damaged or dead roots. Trim the dead leaves and trim the excess. This will encourage new growth, which makes the plant appear fuller. Furthermore, the trimmed cuttings can be used for propagation.
Select a larger pot than the one you have before preparing new soil similar to the succulent soil mixture.
Conclusion On Hoya Chelsea Care
Hoya Chelsea is a beautiful plant that can greatly add to any gardener’s collection. Let’s summarise everything we know about this beautiful plant.
- Hoya Chelsea, a rare Hoya species with thick, waxy leaves, is called. It thrives when exposed to bright, indirect sunlight instead of the noon sun.
- Water Hoya Chelsea is a drought-tolerant plant. Water it when the top few inches are dry to the touch. Your Hoya should be planted in a well-draining, rich soil mixture similar to that used for succulents.
- This plant needs to be grown at 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth. To keep your plant healthy, keep humidity between 55-60 percent.
- Feed the plant every 2 to 3 months during the active growing season of spring and summer. You may have problems with pests like mealybugs, root rot nematodes, and overwatering.
- When your plant has outgrown its container, repot it every few years. Hoya Chelsea can also be propagated by stem cuttings, seeds, and air-layering.
Hoya Chelsea is a simple-going, easy-to-use plant that will make your garden worth the effort.
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