Hi, I am new to growing Hoyas and have been looking for information on the "best soil mix" to use for growing them. Information on soils seems to be scarce and I am hoping someone can help me get started on the right foot. What sort of soil mixes are recommended? Thanks for your help.

I've grown a few hoyas over the years and my mix is a combination of potting soil, orchid bark mix and perlite. It makes an airy, well draining potting medium.

Thank you to plantladylin for the information on "best soil mix" for growing Hoyas. I planted my first Hoya using your recommendation and it is doing very well. I posted a photo, but it will be a while before I can expect to see any blooms.

Bill, you are very welcome and thank you so much for the tip! I know that some people use straight potting soil for growing hoyas but the combination of potting soil, perlite and orchid bark mix has always worked well for my growing conditions and insures that the soil doesn't remain overly wet.

Your Sweetheart Hoya (Hoya kerrii) is lovely and you may not have to wait too long to see blooms. My eyesight isn't the greatest anymore but I believe I see a peduncle right above that curved stem! You can try feeding maybe once a month with a weak solution of bloom booster fertilizer (one with a high middle number) and you may be surprised to see developing buds in the next couple of months!

Lin, Thanks for the info on the fertilizer. I just mixed up a gallon of half strength (1/2 tsp/Gal) Bloom Booster and will start a once monthly feeding regimen shortly.

Keep us posted on how it goes!

I'm glad someone uses the same mix that I do!!!!

plantladylin said:Keep us posted on how it goes!

Hi Lin,

FYI, I posted an update as a separate stream (Update on my Hoya kerrii (Sweetheart Hoya)).

Thanks for your help with this project.

Bill Griffith

ps. Love the new shirt.

plantladylin said:I've grown a few hoyas over the years and my mix is a combination of potting soil, orchid bark mix and perlite. It makes an airy, well draining potting medium.

Hello, thank you for sharing "Best Hoya Soil Mix".

What is the ratio of potting soil, orchid bark and perlite?

For me, about equal parts but I don't measure, just dump.

I don't measure either; I usually mix it up in a large tub because I use it for numerous types of plants and I just try to dump in equal parts, stirring it all together until it looks "right" to my old eyes but I end up with a little more bark and perlite than soil.

plantladylin said:I don't measure either; I usually mix it up in a large tub because I use it for numerous types of plants and I just try to dump in equal parts, stirring it all together until it looks "right" to my old eyes but I end up with a little more bark and perlite than soil.

I think your method is great, I can't wait to try it.
Thank you for your reply!

plantladylin said:I don't measure either; I usually mix it up in a large tub because I use it for numerous types of plants and I just try to dump in equal parts, stirring it all together until it looks "right" to my old eyes but I end up with a little more bark and perlite than soil.

I am a newbie in gardening. Can you give me some suggestions? About Hoya's food. What brand? how to use?

Your profile doesn't show where you live but I only recommend fertilizing during the active growth season of late spring, through summer. Plants naturally slow down and rest during the winter and they don't require fertilizer during that time of year.

I live in Florida where it's warm and humid most of the year and my plants stay outside year round but I'm really bad about remembering to fertilize on a regular basis. When I do fertilize, I always use half the amount that is recommended on the package label. This is what I've currently got in my gardening supplies that I used last month and will do so again in a couple of days ... if my old brain remembers.


I'm sure others will be able to offer suggestions on a type of plant food that they've had good results with, as well as how often it's advisable to use and at what strength.

plantladylin said:Your profile doesn't show where you live but I only recommend fertilizing during the active growth season of late spring, through summer. Plants naturally slow down and rest during the winter and they don't require fertilizer during that time of year.

I live in Florida where it's warm and humid most of the year and my plants stay outside year round but I'm really bad about remembering to fertilize on a regular basis. When I do fertilize, I always use half the amount that is recommended on the package label. This is what I've currently got in my gardening supplies that I used last month and will do so again in a couple of days ... if my old brain remembers.


I'm sure others will be able to offer suggestions on a type of plant food that they've had good results with, as well as how often it's advisable to use and at what strength.

I live in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

I am very envious of you, the climate in Florida is very good.

Thank you for your reply

Hoyas are naturally epiphytic, so they like a looser mix that won't keep their feet wet too long. I've seen the potting soil/orchid mix formula (about equal parts of each) recommended in a handful of places, and it's working well for my H. bella.

That said, your growing conditions matter. My big H. carnosa compacta is in regular potting mix only (and no drainage hole!) because I didn't know better when I potted it, but it's been growing happily for 5 years anyway. I suspect that I am able get away with it because I'm a) in a very dry climate, and b) I'm a pretty neglectful plant parent! If you're more attentive, and/or have average/higher humidity levels or a humidifier running, I'd definitely go with the soil/orchid mix formula.

romalu said:Hoyas are naturally epiphytic, so they like a looser mix that won't keep their feet wet too long. I've seen the potting soil/orchid mix formula (about equal parts of each) recommended in a handful of places, and it's working well for my H. bella.

That said, your growing conditions matter. My big H. carnosa compacta is in regular potting mix only (and no drainage hole!) because I didn't know better when I potted it, but it's been growing happily for 5 years anyway. I suspect that I am able get away with it because I'm a) in a very dry climate, and b) I'm a pretty neglectful plant parent! If you're more attentive, and/or have normal/higher humidity levels or a humidifier running, I'd definitely go with the soil/orchid mix formula.

Thank you for your reply!

Hello,
I Just joined and new to Hoyas. What a beautiful plant though. I am trying to make my own potting mix as well, I don't have Orchid bark but I do have a pine Bark mixture. which is very dry. Would this work as well?
I do have the perlite, potting soil (several types) Dry Sphagnum moss and potting soil with the moss in it.
I need help my first Hoya died! Any info on making a good mix would be greatly appreciated.

wgriff46 said:Thank you to plantladylin for the information on "best soil mix" for growing Hoyas. I planted my first Hoya using your recommendation and it is doing very well. I posted a photo, but it will be a while before I can expect to see any blooms.

Update: First bloom (6/2021)



Update: Plant today (7/2021). Recently repotted. See the two blooms

Congratulations, she looks very happy and healthy!