There are over 500 species of Hoya plants around the world, and the Hoya Krimson Princess stands out above the rest.
The trailing vine of the Hoya Krimson Princess itself is low-maintenance and beginner-friendly. However, if you want to see its unique chocolate-scented flowers, you may want to get all the care guidelines right!
Today, I’ll teach you how to grow and propagate this plant, so you can quickly bloom its flowers. I’ll also discuss its common issues and how to solve them.
Let’s dive in!
Hoya Krimson Princess Origin
Hoya plants were first discovered in the 1800s by Robert Brown in Western Australia. He named the Hoya genus after his fellow botanist, Thomas Hoy.
Little did he know that this plant would end up having over 500 species across Eastern Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Australia!
Since then, many plant nurseries have cultivated the Hoya Krimson Princess. This is because of its glossy foliage, sweet-smelling flowers, and variegated leaves.
Hoya Krimson Princess Plant Details
In the wild, Hoya plants grow on trees in tropical rainforests and are partially parasitic. Some can climb up to 59 feet!
The Hoya Krimson Princess, in particular, can reach heights of 18 feet if grown outdoors.
This plant’s main difference from the Hoya Krimson queen is in its variegation. The former has green leaf borders and heavy variegation at the center. The variegation can be white, pink, or yellowish.
Meanwhile, the Hoya Krimson queen is green in the middle, with variegation on the leaf edges.
Hoya Krimson Princess Flowers
Many plant enthusiasts love the Hoya Krimson Princess simply because of the pink splashes on its foliage.
Yet, for some, it’s even more delightful to grow its flowers.
You may not know this, but the Hoya Krimson Princess has star-shaped flowers that smell like chocolate!
When Do Hoya Krimson Princess Flowers Come Out?
Hoya Krimson Princess flowers bloom when the plant reaches a mature stage. This may take three years, and the plant must be at least 60 to 80 inches long.
Plants outdoors are more likely to bloom than those indoors.
How to Get Hoya Krimson Princess to Bloom
To get Hoya Krimson Princess flowers to bloom, you should follow its growing requirements religiously.
Ensure you water the plant so the peduncles don’t dry out as soon as they grow. Moreover, you should know which parts of the Hoya Krimson Princess to prune!
Don’t worry. I discuss all the details below.
Hoya Krimson Princess Growing Requirements
Here are the basic requirements for Hoya Krimson Princess plants.
1. Water
Hoya Krimson Princess plants have waxy foliage called cuticles that prevent moisture evaporation. The leaves are also plumper than usual, and they can store plenty of water.
Because of this, the soil in the pot dries way before the plant needs watering.
To tell if your Hoya Krimson Princess needs water, check its bottom leaves for flexibility. If it feels like it’ll snap, there’s no need to water it yet.
Meanwhile, if it’s super bendy, it’s time to thoroughly soak the plant!
How to Water Hoya Krimson Princess
Since you let the soil completely dry between watering, the potting mix may become hydrophobic. When this happens, the soil may deflect sudden splashes of water instead of absorbing them.
For this reason, it’s best to bottom water your Hoya Krimson Princess.
To do this, fill a tub with lukewarm chlorine-free water and let the plants soak in the liquid for 15 minutes. The top of the soil should feel moist.
You can repeat the process two to three times per month during warmer months and less in the winter.
2. Light
Consistent light is an essential factor affecting the maturation of Hoya plants! You may stunt the plant’s growth if you provide inadequate light.
Once a Krimson Princess has buds, moving it from its spot or changing the light conditions causes it to drop its flowers.
For best results, the Hoya Krimson Princess needs at least two hours of bright indirect light per day.
You can achieve this by placing the plant beside an east-facing window or outdoors under shade. Ever move a Hoya Krimson Princess once you see buds!
3. Soil and Fertilization
Hoya Krimson Princesses are epiphytes, meaning they don’t have an attachment to the soil. Instead, they grow on other plants, such as tree bark.
This means you can plant the Krimson Princess in an orchid potting mix, which contains bark, sphagnum moss, charcoal, and perlite.
It’s possible to use garden soil as long as it’s well-draining and airy. Go for chunky soil with plenty of perlite, lava rocks, or coconut husks.
What’s more, Hoya Krimson Princess plants prefer fertilization through leaves over soil. To fertilize this plant, you may use orchid fertilizer once a month.
4. Temperature and Humidity
The Hoya Krimson Princess needs a temperature of 61°F to 95°F. They can withstand up to 50°F during winter if they receive adequate sunlight.
On the other hand, the humidity should be 60% or more. The good news is most growers say the plant tolerates a lower humidity if necessary.
It helps to mist the foliage of Krimson Princesses daily if you have low humidity at home. The extra moisture from spraying prevents spider mites.
Note that raising the Krimson Princesses in poor conditions means they might produce fewer flowers!
5. Pruning and Repotting
How do you prune Hoya Krimson Princess plants?
My first tip is to only prune old and damaged leaves. This redirects nutrients towards fresh leaves. You can re-pot a Hoya when it doubles in size, around once a year.
Never prune a Hoya when it has buds, and don’t remove more than a third of the foliage. Plus, during repotting, make sure to use a pot not more than 2 inches in diameter than the original pot.
The NC State Extension says over-trimming and repotting budding Hoyas could result in the plant dropping its flowers.
Common Factors Affecting the Growth of Hoya Krimson Princess
Is your Hoya Krimson Princess growing too slowly? Here are the common issues for this vining plant.
1. Too Much Water
Since Hoya Krimson Princesses can store plenty of water in their leaves, overwatering is a common issue for these plants.
You can tell you’ve overwatered a Hoya when it’s dropping its leaves, and it’s getting too leggy.
Wet soil can create an environment for mealybugs and fungus! On top of this, too much water can prevent the flowers from blooming!
2. Cold Temperature
Hoya Krimson Princess plants stop flowering during the winter, so you don’t have to worry about moving the pot. You can take the plant indoors where it’s warm but still have enough sunlight.
The cold temperature makes Krimson Princesses sensitive. Because of this, it’s best to avoid watering and fertilizing the plant.
You can tell it has cold damage if the Hoya leaves curl and turn yellow or reddish. It may also droop and wilt.
3. Harsh Sunlight
Sun stress can make Hoyas develop deeper pink colors as a coping mechanism to the harsh environment. Some plant enthusiasts expose Hoyas to stronger sunlight because of this.
However, studies show that stress slows growth in plants.
Yellowing leaves and disappearing variegation are signs that a Hoya Krimson Princess is under too much sun. If you want the plant to flower, it’s best to bring it under the shade.
4. Pests and Diseases
Hoya Krimson Princess plants are susceptible to mealybugs and scales. These are tiny insects that suck sap from plants and slow their growth.
If you observe these bugs on your Hoya, the University of California recommends dabbing 70% rubbing alcohol on the infestation.
Hoya Krimson Princess Propagation
How do you propagate Hoya Krimson Princess? Here are two of the most popular methods.
Water Propagation
Water propagation is one of the simplest ways to make Hoya Krimson Princess plants root. This is how you do it.
- First, sterilize your garden shears with rubbing alcohol.
- Next, take a stem and cut a length that’s two nodes long using the sterilized shears.
- Remove any leaves at the base of the cutting and submerge the cuttings in a jar of water.
- Replace the water every two to three days to prevent rotting.
- Finally, once the stem develops roots, it’s time to plant it in the soil!
Substrate Propagation
LECA balls and perlite are great substrates for propagating Hoya Krimson Princesses. They encourage better root development and provide for the water and air needs.
Here’s how to propagate Hoya Krimson Princesses with substrate.
- Before you begin, you should first sterilize all your containers, substrates, and equipment. This will prevent any diseases and infestations.
- You may sterilize LECA and perlite by submerging them in a 10% bleach solution and thoroughly drying them afterward.
- Another sterilization method is by boiling the substrate in 150° to 200°F water for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Once everything is clean and dry, place the substrate in a pot with holes at the bottom.
- Plant a cutting with two nodes into the substrate and place the pot in a shallow dish of water.
- Replace the water every two to three days and wait for the roots to develop!
FAQ
Is Hoya Krimson Princess Safe for Pets?
Here’s some good news for all you plant lovers. Hoya Krimson Princesses are non-toxic to both pets and humans. This makes them a great option as an indoor plant.
That said, if you observe your pets nibbling on the leaves, you should still move the plant to an unreachable area.
Is Hoya Krimson Princess Rare?
The Hoya Krimson Princess is a slow grower, which makes it relatively hard to come by. What’s more, it’s even harder to find mature plants that are in bloom.
If you manage to see a flowering Hoya Krimson Princess, consider yourself lucky!
Is Hoya Krimson Princess a Succulent?
Hoya Krimson Princess plants are semi-succulents. They have waxy succulent leaves that store moisture for two to four weeks.
These plants can tolerate long periods without water, which makes them low-maintenance and easy for beginners!
Conclusion
Hoya Krimson Princess plants are one of the easiest to care for. They can grow in dry indoor conditions and are perfect for newbies.
The best way to care for this plant is by giving them adequate sunlight, fertilizer, and potting mixes. Be careful of overwatering as this may cause infestations.
Moreover, don’t expose your plant to temperatures that are too low.
If you follow the proper care instructions, you’ll be rewarded with the Krimson Princess’s rare chocolate-scented flowers!