Grow Hoya imperialis ‘Palawan’ in hanging baskets on your porch or plant it near a pond or fountain, as it loves humid conditions.
Also known as Imperial hoya, Emperor hoya, Imperial Wax flower, and Honey plant, this epiphytic plant is native to Palawan island in the Philippines. This climbing plant has slender, woody stems that carry deep green, large, leathery, elliptical foliage with notable midrib. Hoya imperialis ‘Palawan’ offers unscented clusters of 12 waxy cream-yellow blooms with pink or red blush during summer that last up to 15 days.
Propagating Hoya imperialis ‘Palawan’
Layering is the simplest method for propagating this plant, or you can use stem cuttings for propagation; it is another popular but challenging technique. If you want the easiest method for growing this hoya, start the plant with seeds, but it is time-consuming.
From Layering: Layers develop more quickly and require less patience. Secure a stem at a node in a damp rooting medium. Once roots have been established, cut and pot the new plant.
TIP: Sow the seeds during spring and summer, and take cuttings when the hoya is growing actively.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Hoya imperialis ‘Palawan’
Light
When growing indoors, keep this plant in bright, indirect light. It can withstand low lights, but that results in leggy and weak growth with fewer blooms and foliage.
Soil
Use well-draining soil that has good air circulation and does not hold excessive water.
Water
Do remember this hoya dislikes overwatering as it leads to root rot. Keep the soil evenly moist but not wet in spring and summer. Also, allow the soil to dry out before watering again. In the fall and winter dormancy, this hoya requires moderate watering.
Temperature
‘Palawan’ grows well in hot and humid conditions, so it will be better to keep it distant from drafty doorways and windows in cold weather. It thrives best in USDA zones 11a-11b, with average winter temperature range between 40-50 F (4.4-10 C)
Hoya imperialis ‘Palawan’ Care
Fertilizer
This plant does not need frequent feeding, but you can apply a high potassium fertilizer at half strength every two weeks in the growing season. You can give the plant compost tea or diluted fish emulsion once a month for added nutrients.
Repotting
Being an epiphyte, this hoya has a shallow root system and does not require a deep pot and frequent repotting. It favors a slight rootbound state, which also helps in producing blooms. So repot it when the plant outgrows the current pot during spring.
Toxicity
Hoya imperialism ‘Palawan’ hoya is not toxic to pets and humans, so you can safely keep it in your home, but consuming the plant is not recommended.
