Hoya Fitchii

The Hoya Fitchii thrives in bright, indirect light, ideally placed 50 cm to 1 meter from an east or west facing window.

In its natural Philippine habitat, this Hoya grows as an epiphyte under the forest canopy, benefiting from abundant, filtered but never direct light. To replicate these conditions, place it near a well-lit window, while avoiding direct midday sun, which can scorch its leathery leaves.

In autumn and winter, move the plant closer to the light source to compensate for the reduced sunlight. In summer, a light curtain is enough to protect the foliage from excessive sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Important tip 🌿Insufficient light significantly slows the growth of Hoya Fitchii and can inhibit the formation of flower umbels. For dimly lit interiors, ourfull spectrum horticultural lampfaithfully mimics natural light without harmful UV rays, to maintain active growth all year round.

Hoya Fitchii is considered moderately toxic to cats, dogs, and young children.

Like most species of the genus Hoya, Hoya fitchii contains a natural latex in its stems and leaves. This latex can cause skin or mouth irritation upon contact or ingestion, particularly in sensitive animals or young children.

If ingested by a pet, the most frequently observed symptoms are mild digestive upset: nausea, temporary vomiting, or excessive salivation. These reactions are generally benign and temporary, but a veterinarian should be consulted if the symptoms persist.

What precautions should be taken on a daily basis?

As a precaution, place your Hoya Fitchii in a high location or in a room inaccessible to pets and young children. A hanging shelf or elevated stand is ideal for fully enjoying its foliage while ensuring a safe environment.

With a few simple placement precautions, the Hoya Fitchii can absolutely coexist peacefully with your pets and family.

The leaves of the Hoya Fitchii most often turn yellow due to overwatering, insufficient light, or a nutrient deficiency.

• If the leaves turn yellow and become limp, the problem usually stems from excess water causing the beginning of root rot.
• If the leaves gradually turn yellow while remaining firm and dry, the plant often lacks light or fertilizer.
• If the yellowing is accompanied by small light spots, a dull appearance or fine webbing, it may be a mite infestation, common indoors, especially in dry atmospheres.

The Hoya Fitchii stores water in its thick leaves and tolerates a substrate that is too dry better than prolonged root excess moisture: yellowing accompanied by softened leaves is therefore almost always a sign of overwatering.

Important tip 🌿One or two old leaves turning yellow from time to time is perfectly normal: it is part of the plant's natural cycle.On the other hand, there is cause for concern if several leaves turn yellow rapidly, if the phenomenon spreads to young leaves, or if growth slows down significantly.

In case of a mite infestation, prioritize ourbiological control solutions against miteseffective and respectful of the plant and your home.

The Hoya Fitchii is ideally repotted in the spring, between March and May, when growth actively resumes.

Repotting is necessary when:

• The roots emerge through the drainage holes.
• Growth is slowing down.
• or that the substrate compacts too quickly after watering.

As a general rule, repotting every 2 years is sufficient for an adult plant.

The Hoya Fitchii develops a relatively compact root system and appreciates being slightly cramped in its pot, which can also promote flowering: avoid choosing a pot that is too big all at once.

Choose a pot 2 to 3 cm wider than the old one, and make sure it has drainage holes. Ourtransparent pots to monitor the rootsare ideal: their transparency allows you to easily monitor the root condition and recovery after repotting, without disturbing the plant.

Prepare a well-draining and aerated substrate, specially designed for Hoya.We recommend ourwell-draining substrates enriched with biostimulantsDesigned to promote drainage, root oxygenation, and healthy long-term growth. For Hoya Fitchii, choose ourpremium substrate adapted to the needs of Hoyaformulated to dry quickly between waterings.

1. Carefully remove the plant from its pot, tapping the pot if necessary to loosen the root ball without pulling on the stems.
2. Gently loosen the roots if they are very compacted, without breaking them.
3. Place a layer of substrate at the bottom of the pot, position the plant upright, then fill with substrate without burying the crown.

Important tip 🌿After repotting, water the plant to help the potting mix settle around the roots and eliminate any air pockets. Ensure that excess water can drain freely.Keep in mind that repotting is always a source of stress for the plant. Repotting every two years is sufficient to ensure healthy and balanced growth.

Hoya Fitchii should be fertilized every 2 to 3 weeks from March to October, with a liquid fertilizer diluted in the watering water.

During autumn and winter, from November to February, significantly reduce or stop fertilizing. This is a period of dormancy during which the plant produces few or no new leaves.

Hoya Fitchii particularly benefits from an enriched supply of potassium as the warm season approaches, which supports both the maturation of the thick leaves and the formation of flower buds on the persistent peduncles.

A well-balanced intake promotes:

• denser, more colorful foliage
• steady growth,
• and improved plant resistance.

👉 For best results, we recommend ourliquid fertilizer formulated for HoyaSpecially formulated to support leaf growth and flowering. Practical tips are printed directly on the back of the label and on the product information sheet for easy and hassle-free use.

Important tip 🌿Never fertilize Hoya Fitchii in a dry substrate: this could burn the roots.Water normally first, then apply diluted fertilizer 2 to 3 days later, when the soil is slightly moist. Excess fertilizer can cause leaf burn. Regular but moderate fertilization will keep your Hoya Fitchii vigorous and healthy 💚

Water the Hoya Fitchii when the substrate has dried out completely, approximately every 12 to 15 days in summer and every 20 to 30 days in winter. Use room temperature water, preferably with low mineral content.

How do I know when to water?

The finger test remains the most reliable method: insert your index finger into the substrate to a depth of 2 to 3 cm. If the substrate is dry, it's time to water. If it's still damp, wait a few more days.

Thanks to its thick and slightly leathery leaves, the Hoya Fitchii naturally stores water in its leaf tissues, allowing it to tolerate periods of drought without damage: this internal water reserve makes it one of the most forgiving plants when watering is forgotten.

Important advice:When in doubt, it's always better to wait a little longer than to overwater. Plants adapt better to underwatering than to overwatering, which quickly causes root rot.

Hoya Fitchii is propagated by cuttings of semi-ripe stems with at least two nodes, ideally in spring or early summer when the plant is in full vegetative activity.

Preparing the cuttingSelect a healthy, vigorous, non-flowering stem, approximately 10 to 15 cm long. Make a clean cut just below a node usingOur stainless steel blade pruner for a clean cutA perfectly clean blade reduces the risk of infection and promotes rapid rooting. Remove the leaves from the lowest node to leave the rooting point free.

1. Allow the cut to heal in the open air for a few hours, which is particularly recommended for Hoyas whose latex can hinder rooting.
2. Place the cutting in a small container filled with water or in a slightly moist substrate. Ourtransparent pots to monitor root developmentare perfectly suited: they allow you to monitor root development without disturbing the cutting.
3. Place the cutting in a warm room, between 22 and 26°C, in bright indirect light, and maintain a slight ambient humidity around the cutting.

For rooting in substrate, you can use ourlive sphagnum moss to maintain root moisturewhich offers an airy and slightly humid environment particularly favorable to the development of the first roots. Once well rooted, transplant the young plant into ourEnriched drainage mix for climbing succulents, ideally formulated for Hoya.

Important tip 🌿Hoya fitchii typically takes 3 to 6 weeks to develop roots strong enough for transplanting. The cutting has rooted successfully when you feel slight resistance when gently pulling on the stem, or when the first white roots are visible through the clear pot. Avoid repotting too early: roots of at least 3 to 4 cm ensure successful establishment in the potting mix.