My six year old Hoya plant bloomed twice in the first two years I had it, but has neither bloomed nor added any growth since then. And its oldest leaves have powdery white deposits and brown discolored areas. Any advice for making this plant healthy and happy?

Hi Clholtplatt,

Your Hindu Rope plant, Hindu Rope Hoya (Hoya carnosa 'Compacta') definitely appears to be struggling. The issue you describe (and I believe I'm seeing in your photos) might be mildew, likely from insufficient air circulation and improper drainage. Hoyas should always be planted in a very porous, well draining, chunky potting medium, allowing good aeration around the roots and good drainage.

I had a large Hindu Rope plant years ago and it is a beautiful Hoya but with all the nooks and crannies, I found it to be a mealybug magnet and I finally gave mine away because I couldn't seem to keep control of the mealybugs in our hot, humid climate!

Anytime a Hoya feels stressed (overwatering, underwatering, sudden temperature change...) they drop leaves. Yours is suffering from mildew from lack of air circulation and maybe overwatering.

Hoyas don't bloom if the light isn't bright enough but no direct sun.

I would spray with a fungicide, and find a brighter spot with good air movement. Consider repotting into orchid bark mix with some cactus soil mixed in. Your current pot isn't the best as it's not allowing for proper drainage and drying. Choose a pot just barely bigger than the root ball - my favorites are terracotta as they are heavy enough to keep a growing hoya upright and also allow quick drying.