4" Hoya imperialis 'Alba' (white flower)

$39.99

Pickup available at Canopy HQ

Usually ready in 1 hour

About this plant

Hoya imperialis is one of the larger-leaved species in the genus, and 'Alba' is the white-flowered form. The blooms are large for a Hoya, star-shaped and clustered.

People grow this one mainly for those eventual flowers, not for foliage alone. The white blooms are the draw once the plant is big enough to produce them.

A young 4 inch plant will not bloom right away. It needs size and maturity first. Like most Hoyas, it is epiphytic in habit, so the roots are built to breathe rather than sit wet. It vines as it grows, so a support or hanging spot gives you room as it fills in.

Bright indirect light keeps growth steady and eventually pushes it toward blooming. Let the mix dry out almost completely between waterings, then soak thoroughly. Thick, waxy leaves store water, so overwatering is the mistake we see most with this species, not underwatering. Use a chunky, well-draining mix.

Care

Light

Bright indirect light, with a little gentle morning sun if you can offer it. Consistent brightness matters more here than any other single factor since this species needs to build up size and energy before it will flower.

Water

Let the mix dry out almost completely before watering again, then water thoroughly until it runs from the drainage hole and empty the saucer. Thick leaves hold a reserve, so a slightly late watering does far less damage than a pot that stays wet.

Humidity

Average home humidity is fine for this species. It is not a plant that needs a humidifier or pebble tray to grow well indoors.

Soil

Use a chunky, fast draining mix with bark, perlite, and just enough organic matter to hold a little moisture. Dense, water retentive soil is the most common way Hoya roots fail.

Feeding

Feed lightly during spring and summer with a diluted balanced fertilizer. Skip fertilizer entirely on a plant that just arrived or is still settling in, and reduce or stop feeding through fall and winter.

Common problems

  • Wrinkled leaves usually mean the plant is thirsty and drawing on its stored water. A thorough watering should firm them back up within a day or two.
  • Soft or mushy stems point to overwatering. Let the mix dry out fully and consider a chunkier mix if it happens more than once.
  • No blooms yet is normal on a young plant. Hoya imperialis needs size and maturity, plus consistently bright light, before it flowers.
  • Mealybugs like to hide where leaves meet the stem, so check those joints if you notice sticky residue.

Shipping and acclimation

Thick foliage generally ships well, though some leaf droop or dullness after transit is normal. Unbox promptly, skip watering if the mix is still moist, and set it in bright indirect light rather than direct sun for the first week or two while it settles back in.

Difficulty

Easy

Frequently asked questions

How long until it blooms?

Hoya imperialis needs to reach a certain size and maturity before it flowers, so a young 4 inch plant will not bloom right away. Consistently bright light and letting the plant establish are what move it toward its first bloom.

Does it need a pole or support?

A pole or trellis is not required, but it can help this vining species grow more upright and cover more ground for future blooms. It also grows well left to trail from a shelf or hanging spot if you would rather not train it upward.

Why are the leaves wrinkling?

The plant has drawn down some of the water stored in its thick leaves and is signaling that it is ready for a drink. Water it thoroughly and the leaves should firm back up within a day or two.

Is it toxic to pets?

Hoyas are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, but it is still best to discourage pets from chewing on any houseplant.