Family: Apocynaceae
Common Name: Hoya Krimson Queen
Botanical name: Hoya carnosa ‘Krimson Queen’
You may feel compelled to bow or courtesy in the presence of the Hoya Krimson Queen, but it's not necessary. The leaves of this stunning and easy-care wax vine feature leaves with hues of green and cream that are dotted along the thin, trailing vines. Hoya carnosas are easy-care indoor plants if you have the bright indirect light that they need. They don't require constant watering and do not require high humidity levels. Since the Hoya carnosa Krimson Queen has waxy leaves and is succulent, it will require little water.
Light
Hoya Krimson Queen loves bright, indirect sunlight and will be right at home if they can make contact for at least 6 hours each day (indirect contact, that is!). Hoyas can tolerate medium light, but they’ll become weak and leggy and produce fewer leaves in lower light. To encourage your hoyas to bloom, ensure they are close to an east, or north-facing window or set back a few feet from a south or west-facing window. Learn where to put your plants for the best light!
Water
Let your Hoya carnosa Krimson Queen dry out between watering. Soak the soil thoroughly until the water drains out of the drainage holes. You’ll need to water more when they’re receiving more light, so adjust accordingly. If you find the soil has become compacted, soak the entire root ball in water for ten minutes and this will soften the soil. Avoid over-watering. When the colder months arrive, cut back on watering; in wintertime, only water when their soil is completely dry.
Soil
Almost all types of hoyas need soil with excellent drainage. Hoyas should never be planted in dense soil mixtures with moisture-retaining crystals. You can use a universal potting soil, but reduce the watering frequency when using this type of soil as it will retain water longer causing potential damage to the roots! Nutrient-rich, loose soils are perfect mixtures for Hoya Krimson Queen! If your soil is retaining too much water, then replant into potting soil that is amended with cactus soil, perlite, wood chips, or coarse sand to help increase drainage! Learn how to create your own universal soil mixture for all of your indoor plants!
Temperature
The Hoya carnosa Krimson Queen loves warm environments that range from 65-85℉ - and should be kept away from drafty windows and doorways during the colder months.
Humidity
Although Hoya Krimson Queen can handle most household humidity levels, it will grow more rapidly when the humidity is higher than 60%. Do what you can to increase the humidity for these tropical indoor plants. Try adding pebble trays filled with water under your hoya, group plants together, or use a cool mist humidifier. Learn how to increase the humidity in the air around your indoor plants!
Fertilizer
For the Hoya Krimson Queen, a higher nitrogen fertilizer encourages foliar growth. When they’re about to bloom, switch to a fertilizer with higher phosphorus content. Fertilize with a complete liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/4 the recommended strength once a month during the summer. You can also apply a top dressing of worm castings or compost in the spring, as this acts as a slow-release fertilizer. Only fertilize during the growing season (spring through summer).
Growth Rate
A typical Hoya carnosa Krimson Queen can have vines that grow up to 12 feet long with ample light and above normal levels of humidity and with the proper care!
Pet Friend or Foe
Hoya Krimson Queen is non-toxic to pets! Friend.
Pro Tips
- Hoya Krimson Queen can tolerate being root-bound so don’t be so quick to re-pot as their roots are fragile and it takes a long time for them to require being re-potted.
- You can train your Hoya carnosa Krimson Queen to grow up a pole or some other support - if you like that look.
- When you find the right spot for your Hoya Krimson Queen, and it is living its best life, try not to relocate it.
- New growth on a Hoya Krimson Queen can look like a dried-up and dead vine, please do not cut off this new growth! Give it a few weeks and you will be glad you did not remove it!
- Encourage your hoyas to bloom buy providing them with over 7 hours of indirect sunlight each day! Warm temperatures and higher humidity levels will also help them to flower!