With hundreds of different types of Hoya varieties, you may wonder if your Hoya Nummularioides has different or similar care needs to other members of the Hoya genus for them to grow and thrive in your home. In addition, their name can be quite a mouthful, making people worry if caring for them is equally as complicated.
Hoya Nummularioides is a succulent Hoya variety, meaning they prefer medium to bright indirect light, moderate humidity levels, and warm temperatures and must dry out between waterings. You can propagate them with stem cuttings as long as a node is attached, and they will produce beautiful blooms under the right conditions.
How to Care for a Hoya Plant?
Hoya Nummularioides has the same structure as a typical Hoya Plant, so their care needs are similar. Some Hoya varieties have thinner, tender leaves or woody stems that require different care needs.
Hoya Nummularioides resembles the Hoya Carnosa or Hoya Chelsea varieties, with thick, succulent leaves and stems that are a bit more fleshy. What makes Hoya Nummularioides unique compared to most Hoya varieties is that their leaves are slightly fuzzy.
Light
Most Hoya varieties require medium to bright indirect light, and the Nummularioides variety is no exception. Hoyas do best in eastern-facing windows, where they get plenty of light, but the intensity is slightly gentler.
On the other hand, while most Hoyas will do just fine in a western-facing window, they can develop brown spots on their leaves if the sunlight is too intense. You may want to add a sheer curtain to the window or pull back your Hoya Nummularioides a few feet from those windows if you notice these brown spots developing on their leaves from intense sunlight.
Temperature and Humidity
Hoya Nummularioides prefer temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C and 29°C). While they can tolerate temperatures on the cooler side, try to keep your Hoya away from cold windows or drafty locations, as temperatures that are too cold can result in temperature stress or cold damage. When it comes to humidity, Hoyas can tolerate moderate to even lower humidity levels, but they will thrive in humidity levels above 50%.
Water
Hoya Nummularioides have thicker, more succulent leaves, which means they can store water in those leaves to survive prolonged periods of drought. Their soil should completely dry out between watering to avoid root rot and overwatering.
You can also monitor your Hoya for signs that it is thirsty. Their leaves may start to “pucker” or wrinkle, and they will be softer to the touch. Once you water your Hoya, the leaves will become plump once again.
Do Hoyas Need Distilled Water?
Unless tap water is laden with strong chemicals, Hoya Nummularioides isn’t very sensitive to tap water. However, suppose you can source rainwater or even use aquarium water from a freshwater fish tank. In that case, your Hoya Nummularioides will thrive due to the density of nutrients, although it isn’t necessary.
Soil
Hoyas are epiphytes in the wild, which means they grow on trees and other plant life. This means they can do well in various substrate types. The only exception is that you want to make sure that you avoid highly dense potting soil. Your Hoya Nummularioides will need a substrate where its roots can breathe, so there are a few options that you can choose from:
- A very chunky soil mixture with plenty of perlite and bark
- Sphagnum moss
- Hydroponic substrate or leca
Fertilizer
You can fertilize your Hoya Nummularioides during the growing season. You can switch up the N-P-K ratio (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) between a higher nitrogen fertilizer, which will encourage more leaf growth, and one with a higher phosphorus ratio, which will encourage blooms. Many people find tremendous success using orchid fertilizers on their Hoyas, as orchids are epiphytes that will bloom under similar conditions.
Hoya Nummularioides Propagation
To propagate Hoya Nummularioides, take a sterile pair of pruning shears, scissors, or a knife. Use gloves if possible, as Hoya stems excrete a milky, latex-like substance that can be toxic or irritating to the skin.
Trim your stem cutting and remove the bottom leaves. Allow the Hoya to callus overnight, if possible, to prevent the wound from rotting.
Do Hoya Cuttings Need a Node?
In nearly all cases, Hoya cuttings will need a node if you want to propagate a new plant. For example, some Hoya varieties will develop roots from leaf cuttings, but only a node will ensure that any new leaves will develop.
Can You Root Hoya in Water?
You can root Hoya cuttings, including Nummularioides, in water, and they will develop roots. You can also lay your cutting in moist sphagnum moss in a dish or container and place it in bright indirect light to encourage new root growth. You can also root your Hoya Nummularioides in moist perlite or even Leca.
When propagating Hoya Nummularioides, you should give humidity levels a bit of a boost to encourage root growth. You can do this with a humidifier, or even putting a clear plastic bag over your cutting will give them the humidity they need to grow roots.
Hoya Nummularioides Blooms
If you give your Hoya Nummularioides plenty of bright indirect light, fertilize them during the growing season, and protect it from stress, pests, and disease, it will provide you with beautiful blooms.
Hoya Nummularioides produce spectacular white blooms with a magenta-colored center. But, first, they will develop a woody growth known as peduncles, where the blooms will later appear, so be sure not to prune that new growth. Generally, it can take several years as most Hoya Plants will only bloom when they are more mature, unlike a newer Hoya cutting.
Encouraging Hoya varieties to bloom can be challenging, even for some seasoned Hoya collectors. For example, many superstitions suggest that if your Hoya is pot-bound, it will likely produce blooms.
In contrast, others suggest depriving your Hoya of water during winter to ensure a bloom during spring. But ultimately, if your Hoya is happy and given optimal growing conditions, it will bloom for you.
Hoya Nummularioides Flower Scent
Some varieties of Hoya blooms have unique and interesting scents, such as chocolate, citrus, vanilla, or even more unappealing smells like meat. Fortunately, Hoya Nummularioides blooms have a pleasant aroma that is more floral and not too sweet.
Common Problems/Pests
While Hoyas typically have more straightforward care requirements, a few problems may arise with your Hoya Nummularioides.
Root Rot/Overwatering
Hoyas are highly sensitive to root rot if they become overwatered, so be careful not to water your Hoyas too frequently. Make sure that if you plant your Hoya in soil, you allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Monitor your Hoya Nummularioides for signs that it is thirsty, like puckering leaves or veins becoming more prominent and visible.
Leaf Rot
If your Hoya Nummularioides sits under hanging plants where the water drips down onto your Hoya’s leaves, you may notice some fungal spots. This is because Hoyas do not like water pooling on their leaves for too long.
Pests
Hoyas generally are not pest-prone plants, they may get mealybugs or other pests from time to time. Mealybugs (white, fuzzy pests) prefer dry environments and succulent plants, so Hoyas may get mealybugs.
Another pest you may find on your Hoya is scale, which can resemble scabs on the stems. Monitor your Hoya Nummularioides for pests to ensure that a small outbreak doesn’t evolve into an infestation. If you find pests on your Hoya Nummularioides, isolate your plant and treat it with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Summary
Caring for Hoya Nummularioides can be pretty easy as long as you are mindful of its physical characteristics. This Hoya variety is more succulent, so its care needs will align with more succulent-type houseplants.
Hoya Nummularioides prefer medium to bright indirect light levels, moderate humidity levels around 50%, and warm temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C and 29°C) and must dry out between waterings.
Fortunately, Hoya Nummularioides is also very easy to propagate, so you can take stem cuttings to share with friends and family. They will also produce beautiful, floral-scented blooms given their ideal care conditions.