Hoya carnosa compacta
Hoya Hindu Rope
Once you've identified hoya Hindu rope, you'll remember it forever.
From a distance, it's hard to tell exactly what you're looking at. Perhaps a magical rope spilling out of a planter? Once you get closer, you'll see that the trailing plant is actually made up of individual leaves that twist and turn and are packed together to look like a long rope.
And if that's not enough to get you intrigued about hoya Hindu rope, perhaps this fact will: when it blooms, its cute, star-shaped flowers cover the entire room with its sweet, candy-like fragrance.
Table of Contents
- Summary
- Appearance
- Care
- Light
- Soil
- Fertilizer
- Water and humidity
- Temperature
- Common pests
- Propagation
- Cal Plants tips and tricks
- Common questions
- Companions
Hoya Hindu Rope Summary
Feature | Facts |
---|---|
Scientific name | Hoya carnosa compacta |
Common name | Hoya hindu rope, hoya rope plant, krinkle kurl, rope wax plant |
Family | Apocynaceae |
Origin | Tropical areas in Southern and Southeastern Asia |
Toxicity | Mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested |
Sun exposure | Bright, indirect light |
Soil type | Well-draining soil mix |
Watering | Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings |
Hardiness | 50°F, USDA Zone 11 |
Hoya Hindu Rope Appearance
Hoya Hindu rope is a trailing plant with long and thin vines. It is an epiphyte in the wild, growing among trees to get its needs such as sunlight and moisture. Therefore, it has dense, shallow roots that help to absorb water and nutrients from shallow surfaces.
Hindu rope plant is famous for its unique leaves, which are thick and waxy and shaped like twisted knots. From far away, the tightly packed leaves look like a long rope or chain. This is what created nicknames such as hoya rope plant, krinkle kurl, and rope wax plant.
Hindu rope's leaves are mostly dark green with lighter green underneath the leaves.
Hoya Hindu rope is also prized for its flowers, which are pink and white. They are small and star-shaped, with long-lasting sweet fragrance to attract pollinators such as bees.
Hoya Hindu Rope Care
Light
Hoya Hindu rope prefers bright, indirect light. Direct afternoon sunlight may scorch the leaves, but soft early morning or late afternoon light is fine. Low light conditions will prevent blooms and weaken the plant.
Soil
Well-draining soil is crucial so that your plant doesn't rot. Commercial indoor potting mixes work well.
Fertilizer
Fertilize hoya Hindu rope with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season (typically spring and summer, when you see the plant actively growing). Reduce fertilizing in the fall and do not fertilize during the dormant season (typically winter). Be careful not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to root burn.
Water and humidity
Water hoya Hindu rope when the top 2 inches of soil is dry. You can stick your finger in the soil or use a moisture meter. Avoid getting water on the leaves or in the crevices of the curled leaves, since it can cause fungal issues and rot.
Temperature
Hindu rope plant thrives in a warm environment, ideally between 60-80°F. It can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures, but should not be exposed to temperatures below 50°F. Avoid placing the plant near drafts or heating/cooling vents.
Hoya Hindu Rope Common Pests
Common pests for Hindu rope include mealybugs, spider mites, and fungus gnats.
To get rid of mealybugs, dip cloth or cotton swab into rubbing alcohol, and dab the infested area. For infestations, use insecticidal soap, which you can buy at a store or mix yourself.
Spider mites like warm and dry environments. To prevent them, regularly wipe down plant leaves with damp cloth. For infestations, use insecticidal soap, which you can buy at a store or mix yourself.
Fungus gnats like damp soil. To prevent them, use sterile potting mixes (especially for indoors) and top potting soil with an inch of sand. For infestations, use yellow sticky traps for the adults, and use mosquito pesticide that contain BTI for the larvae.
Hoya Hindu Rope Propagation
The easiest way to propagate Hindu rope is via stem cuttings.
Using a sharp pair of shears of scissors, cut a stem with 1 or 2 nodes right above the node on the mother plant. The node is a growth point where new stems or leaves grow. Place the cutting in either water or soil. If you're using water, change it every week to prevent algae and mold. If using soil, you can optionally use rooting hormone or just stick it right into the soil. Keep the soil slightly moist until the cutting becomes established.
Hoya Hindu Rope Tips and Tricks
To add whimsy to your decor, use a planter that has an image of a face. The Hindu rope plant will look like thick braids of hair growing out of the planter.
For a vintage look, use a tall urn planter. The long stems of the Hindu rope will droop down along the sides, creating an interesting, elegant look.
Once your Hindu rope plant has bloomed, don't cut off the spent flower stalks. Next time it blooms, it will bloom on the same stems.
Hoya Hindu rope is a slow growing plant. If you're impatient, purchase a larger plant and add fertilizer during the growing season.
Hoya Hindu Rope Common Questions
How much does hoya Hindu rope cost?
We at Cal Plants sell them for $12 - 35 based on size.
Why is my hoya Hindu rope not blooming?
The most common reasons that a hoya rope plant does not bloom include not enough maturity (i.e., plant is too young) and not enough sunlight. Also, the plant blooms on old flower stalks, so do not prune them off after it has bloomed.
Can I grow my hoya Hindu rope outdoors?
Yes, hoya Hindu rope can be grown outdoors in warm and temperate regions. Keep the hoya in a pot so that you can move it indoors when the temperature drops to 50°F or lower. Also, protect the Hindu rope plant from hot, direct sunlight. It prefers low to medium filtered light outdoors. Keep a close eye on the plant if the temperature surpasses 85°F. It will need more water during hot weather, and possibly need to be brought indoors for protection from the heat.
Is hoya Hindu rope toxic to pets?
Hoya Hindu rope is mildly toxic to children and pets if ingested. It can cause abdominal pain and vomiting.
Hoya Hindu Rope Companions
Below are some plants with similar needs for care.
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