Hello,
this is my first post here! I have had this hoya plant for over a year now, I've had some issues with it before but it has always been solved by moving it to a different location. Recently the plant's leaves have started yellowing and dying, starting from the center of the plant and I'm not sure what is going wrong! I have extended one of the longest tendrils towards my window so it gets more light but this was a long few weeks ago. The plant isn't moved otherwise, I don't overwater it and only water 1-2 times a week. It has been in this spot for months and it's been okay!

Could it be that it's not getting enough light now in the winter and the temperature drops? My house gets very cold at night now. Is there anything I could do to save it? Let me know if any more information is needed! I'm a plant newbie so I want to take care of this plant well.
Thank you so much for any help!

How cold does it get at night?

Hoyas typically do not like temperatures below about 40, depending on species.

Have you changed your watering habits?

With the temperatures dropping at night, your plant is likely dormant and won't need as much water as it once did. You could be over-watering your plant.

About 50-60F, or slightly lower.

I watered it slightly more in the summer but with this plant I try to water it once the top soil becomes dry, so usually 1-2 a week. Should I reduce it down to 1 a week?

Hi Eiren,

Your plant reminds me of my Wax Plant (Hoya australis subsp. tenuipes)

I believe the problem your plant is experiencing is due to the cool temperatures and too much water. Depending on the type of potting media used, watering 1 to 2 times a week can definitely be an issue. Hoyas like warm, humid, tropical conditions and a very airy, well draining potting medium. I'd suggest moving it as close to the window as possible where it will receive the highest amount of light and cut back on watering until the active growing season of summer.

With temperatures dropping that low, I would reduce watering a little more than that. I haven't been growing Hoyas any longer than you have, to be honest. So, I'm hoping someone with experience can give us more detail on when to water in winter.

Thank you both to your responses!
I believe it is Hoya australis I will put cut down on the watering and maybe try finding a more suitable place for it in the home for the winter time and hope it survives, this is my second hoya plant (the first unfortunately also didn't survive a house move during winter) so I'm really hoping it does

I got my Hoya at an estate sale over the summer. The stems on this plant are close to 8 feet long, and about 10 stems. The lady who had it, had it for close to 30 years (according to the granddaughter). I've got it hanging in a south window, with the stems looped over the hanging hook so they don't get stepped on. The leaves on a few stems are turning yellow and drying up. I've cut the watering way back and have only lightly misted it a few times a week.
Could the plant be lacking water and/or nutrients because the stems are so long? Should I cut it back and hope it helps with growth?
I was always told to never prune a hoya, or it will not bloom. I'm not opposed to a little trim, but not if it will harm the plant. Moving the plant is not an option, south window is all I have.
Any suggestions?

Hi Ckelgo,

Can you upload a photo or two of your Hoya so that we can get a better idea of what might be going on? Do you know which particular Hoya you have? Hoyas in nature grow on trees and their long vines cling to and climb the tree, so long stems are not at all unusual. Some people who grow Hoyas as houseplants, place moss poles or some type of trellis structure in the pot to allow them to climb, while others grow them in hanging baskets, allowing them to trail downward. Misting isn't likely doing much but it doesn't hurt. The important thing is the potting media; Hoyas need a light, airy potting medium that allows for good aeration at root level and perfect drainage.

It's fine to prune stems, that's how most Hoyas are propagated for additional plants; the part you don't want to prune off is the peduncle (bloom spur) that resembles a little microphone. Sometimes the bloom spurs will abort/fall off for whatever reason but it's never advised to prune them because that's where new buds form. You can see the peduncles, annotated in my database photo below.

If the plant is 30 years old, repotting isn't an option but the plant has been fine for 30 years so the soil is also not the problem. Are you checking the soil to see how wet it is? My Hoya (belongs to Sumire now) is about 60 years old and was never repotted. Once in awhile, I made an effort to dig out some soil and replace it but, the soil is like cardboard. It doesn't retain water anymore and, I wouldn't actually call it soil.

Hoyas are epiphytic so wet and then dry, just that fast. The soil will take varying lengths of time to dry, depending upon what's in it. If you aren't watering, only misting, it could be lacking moisture. Are the leaves soft feeling? How are you checking water needs.

I got my Hoya at an estate sale over the summer. The stems on this plant are close to 8 feet long, and about 10 stems. The lady who had it, had it for close to 30 years (according to the granddaughter). I've got it hanging in a south window, with the stems looped over the hanging hook so they don't get stepped on. The leaves on a few stems are turning yellow and drying up. I've cut the watering way back and have only lightly misted it a few times a week.
Could the plant be lacking water and/or nutrients because the stems are so long? Should I cut it back and hope it helps with growth?
I was always told to never prune a hoya, or it will not bloom. I'm not opposed to a little trim, but not if it will harm the plant. Moving the plant is not an option, south window is all I have.
Any suggestions?

@Ckelgo, see the answers above that came after your original post.