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Hoya Carnosa Tricolor

4.8 out of 5 (16 experiences)

Survivor

Fast grower

About Hoya Carnosa Tricolor

With over 500 species and even more cultivars, there's a Hoya out there for everyone! They're native to Southeast Asia and their common name, waxplant, refers to their thick, waxy leaves which help them retain water in the heat. They're excellent climbers and will take off if you give them a trellis to grow on. Their other-worldly, star-shaped flowers are often fragrant and come in brilliant shades of red, pink, yellow, and more!

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Hoya carnosa 'Tricolor'

Genus

Hoya

Family

Apocynaceae

Order

Gentianales

Also known as

Crimson Princess, Crimson Princess and hoya carnosa tricolor

How to care for Hoya Carnosa Tricolor

💦 Water

How often to water your Hoya Carnosa Tricolor

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Hoya Carnosa Tricolor in your home

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Hoya Carnosa Tricolor in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Hoya Carnosa Tricolor

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Hoya Carnosa Tricolor: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Hoya Carnosa Tricolor after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Hoya

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor Water Frequency →

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor Light Requirements →

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor Toxicity to Dogs →

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor Toxicity to Humans →

💨 Humidity

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Hoya Carnosa Tricolor →

When and How to Successfully Repot Hoya Carnosa Tricolor →

💩 Fertilizer

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Hoya Carnosa Tricolor →

❄️ Dormancy

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor does not have a typical pattern of dormancy. If you notice their growth slowing down substantially, double check that they are getting enough sunlight and water to thrive!

🌎 Native Region

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor is native to Southeast Asia and Australia.

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

Care Summary for Hoya Carnosa Tricolor

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor

Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 12 days

Placement

< 3ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Survivor 8

Fast grower 4

Easy to propagate 3

Large, lush leaves 1

@@MeganO

41 Plants

20,843 XP

Washington, DC

01/18/2022

Easy to grow as long as you prove it with adequate light.

Survivor

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor plant photo by @MeganO named Lola on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Sarimelati

33 Plants

546 XP

Mashpee, MA

10/21/2021

This plant is very special because it has three different color of leaves in one plant and very lush. I have mine for almost two years and the plant actually stays compact. It gets bushier not taller. It is a slow grower. It has not flower for me yet.
Very easy plant to care for just make sure it dries between watering and keep it in tight pot.

Easy to propagate

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor plant photo by @Sarimelati named Naomi on Greg, the plant care app.

@@NellBell85

20 Plants

495 XP

Boulder, CO

09/17/2021

This little guy has such pretty color due to the variegation. It’s a medium speed grower & a joy to have.

Fast grower

Survivor

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor plant photo by @NellBell85 named Dinkie on Greg, the plant care app.

@@carrie

30 Plants

4,179 XP

Scranton, PA

06/16/2021

I've had my hoya for a few years and and am still patiently waiting for flowers. But - the leaves are pretty enough on their own. They look as if they were painted with watercolors. I'm looking forward to growing my hoya collection.

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor plant photo by @carrie named Bigleef Smalls on Greg, the plant care app.

@Adriana

5 Plants

76 XP

Colorado Springs, CO

05/23/2021

It’s very forgiving and grows easy

Fast grower

Large, lush leaves

Easy to propagate

Survivor

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor plant photo by Adriana named Rita on Greg, the plant care app.

@@camryn

32 Plants

369 XP

Little Rock, AR

05/21/2021

Love this. Bought it on Etsy, and had to buy another one. Grows easy.

Fast grower

Survivor

Hoya Carnosa Tricolor plant photo by @camryn named Yaaaas Queen on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Kiersten

36 Plants

37,166 XP

New Orleans, LA

03/01/2021

I don’t have much love for Hoyas, but she’s still alive so🤷‍♀️

She seems pretty intent on only putting out completely white leaves no matter what I do. They die immediately so she’s been the same size for a while now. They’re pretty communicative about water needs (if you can fold the leaves like a taco it’s ready for a drink) but overall I feel pretty meh about these guys.