Hoya Sarawak Cream

The Hoya Sarawak Cream thrives in bright, indirect light, ideally placed 50 to 100 cm from an east or west facing window.

In its natural habitat in the forests of Borneo, this Hoya grows as an epiphyte under the canopy, benefiting from diffuse but consistent light. Indoors, it tolerates light partial shade, but its creamy foliage will be much more contrasting and its growth more vigorous with good indirect light. In summer, ensure it does not receive direct sunlight during the day, which could discolor its fleshy leaves. In autumn and winter, gradually move it closer to the window to compensate for the decrease in sunlight.

Important tip 🌿Avoid direct afternoon sunlight, especially behind a window, which concentrates the heat and can cause leaf burn. For dimly lit rooms, ourhorticultural lighting that mimics daylightallows for regular growth and beautiful foliage all year round, without harmful UV rays.

Hoya Sarawak Cream is considered non-toxic to cats, dogs and young children: the ASPCA lists Hoya among the plants that are non-toxic to pets.

Unlike many tropical houseplants, Hoya contain no known toxic compounds. They are regularly cited as some of the safest plants for homes with pets.

As with any plant, however, eating large quantities of leaves may cause mild, temporary digestive upset in a sensitive animal.

What precautions should you take day to day?

As a common-sense precaution, keep Hoya Sarawak Cream out of reach of overly curious pets and young children, for example by hanging it up or placing it on a shelf: this will protect both the plant and your companions’ digestive comfort.

Living with cats, dogs and children is perfectly worry-free with this Hoya, making it an excellent choice for homes with pets.

The leaves of the Hoya Sarawak Cream 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 Sarawak Cream has thick, fleshy leaves that allow it to store water: excess moisture in the substrate is therefore particularly poorly tolerated and is the primary cause of yellowing in this species.

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 ourplant-friendly biological treatments, effective and suitable for indoor use.

The Hoya Sarawak Cream 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.

Note that the Hoya Sarawak Cream, like most Hoyas, tolerates and even appreciates being slightly root-bound: a container that is too large promotes waterlogging, which is harmful to its epiphytic roots. Choose a pot only 2 cm wider than the old one.

Ourtransparent pots to monitor the rootsare ideal: their transparency allows you to check the root condition after repotting without disturbing the plant.

Prepare a very well-draining substrate, suitable for the Hoya family.We recommend ourwell-draining substrates enriched with biostimulantsDesigned to promote drainage, root oxygenation, and healthy long-term growth. Choose ourour quick-drying potting soil for Hoya, designed 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 in without burying the crown.

Important tip 🌿After repotting, water moderately to help the potting mix settle around the roots. Ensure that excess water can drain freely. Repotting is always a source of stress for the plant: limit it to what is strictly necessary.

The Hoya Sarawak Cream 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 Sarawak Cream appreciates a fertilizer slightly rich in phosphorus and potassium during the season, which supports both the density of the foliage and the formation of future flower umbels, characteristic of this climbing species.

A well-balanced intake promotes:

• denser, more colorful foliage
• regular growth of twining stems,
• and improved plant resistance.

👉 For best results, we recommend ourliquid fertilizer formulated for HoyaSpecially designed to support the growth and flowering of this family. Practical advice can be found directly on the product page.

Important tip 🌿Never fertilize a plant 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. Regular but moderate fertilization will keep your Hoya Sarawak Cream vigorous and healthy 💚

Water the Hoya Sarawak Cream when the substrate has dried out completely, approximately every 10 to 14 days in summer and every 20 to 30 days in winter. Use room temperature water.

Thanks to its thick, fleshy leaves, the Hoya Sarawak Cream has natural water reserves that allow it to tolerate periods of drought without damage. This storage capacity, unique to Hoyas, means that overwatering is significantly more harmful than watering less frequently.

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.

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 Sarawak Cream is propagated by stem cuttings in water or in live sphagnum moss, ideally in spring or early summer.

Prepare the cuttingSelect a healthy, vigorous stem with at least 2 nodes and 1 to 2 pairs of leaves. Cut just below a node withOur stainless steel blade pruner for a clean cutA clean cut reduces the risk of infection and promotes rapid root development. Remove the lower leaves, leaving only the upper ones.

Steps:

1. Place the cutting in a glass of clear water at room temperature, or wrap the base in...live sphagnum moss to maintain root moisturewhich promotes gentle and even rooting.
2. Place the cutting inOur transparent pots allow you to monitor root development.This allows you to monitor root development without disturbing the cutting.
3. Place in a bright location, out of direct sunlight, at a temperature between 20 and 25 °C.

Once the roots are well-formed and at least 3 to 4 cm long, transplant the cutting into ourEnriched draining mix for climbing succulents, specially designed to support the return of young Hoya in the best conditions.

Important tip 🌿Hoya Sarawak Cream typically roots in 3 to 6 weeks, depending on growing conditions. Maintain a stable temperature and avoid drafts during this time. The first signs of success are the appearance of small white roots at the nodes, followed by the development of a new leaf, indicating that the cutting is well established.