Hoya propagation

Hoya make excellent plants to propagate. As vining epiphytic plants they root extremely easily and quickly, and their succulent leaves mean they handle the stress of not having a root system particularly well.

Taking a cutting

Find a suitable vine

Hoya nummularioides vine

First, find a suitable vine that you will take cuttings from. If possible try and pick a vine that is not actively growing and that has immature leaves on. Those immature leaves will simply drain resources from the cutting that it should be using to develop and establish roots. I've chosen a Hoya nummularioides vine for this. They root especially easily as the vines are already covered in adventitious roots which will readily form a proper root system.

Identify a node

Hoya nummularioides node

Identify a node. Nodes are where the leaves of a Hoya develop from. You want to cut from the last node with leaves below the cutting you want to take. So follow the vine back towards the roots until you get to some leaves.

Make a cut

Cutting a Hoya nummularioides above a node

Take a cut. Use sterilised scissors or cutters. Make a quick, clean cut as close to the node above as you can without damaging the vine or leaves you are leaving behind.

Dip the cut end in rooting hormone (optional)

Hoya nummularioides in rooting hormone

This isn't strictly necessary - Hoya will root easily without rooting hormone. Rooting hormone contains anti-fungal compounds and is designed to help the cut end of the plant callous quickly, so it's good to do if you have some on hand.

You've got your cutting

A single node Hoya nummularioides cutting

Now you've got a cutting. You can use one of the methods below to root it.

Water propagation

Water propagation is the easiest method to propagate Hoya, but you must change out the water regularly every few days. As water sits it stagnates, as it stagnates bacterial activity increases and eventually the cutting will be starved of oxygen and rot.

Pros:

• Easy - just add water

Cons:

• If water is not changed regularly then cuttings are prone to rotting.
• Some more succulent species of Hoya dislike being constantly submerged in water.
• Cuttings will only root where they are submerged in water.

Just put it in water

Hoya nummularioides cutting in water

Place your cutting in water in a container. If you can, place it on a heat mat or somewhere warm and bright. Check and cycle the water every few days. In a few weeks you should see roots emerging.

Perlite propagation

Perlite propagation is one of the better methods for propagating Hoya. Perlite is fairly sterile, allows lots of air to flow over the cutting preventing rot, and can be left alone for longer periods of time without rot.

Pros:

• Good airflow prevents rot
• Cuttings will root along the length of the vine. If you place multiple node cuttings in the container you may be able to cut the cutting into single node cuttings after it has rooted.

Cons:

• Takes up more space than water propagation and sphagnum propagation

Find a suitable container

A container for Hoya propagation

A takeaway container or plastic food container works well for this.

Add an inch or so of perlite and soak

A takeaway container or plastic food container works well for this. Add about an inch of perlite to the container, add water and leave it to soak for few minutes. Drain the perlite so it's just damp.

Add your cutting and cover

Hoya nummularioides cutting on perlite

Place your cutting on the perlite, you can 'bury' the stem of the plant in the damp perlite but try and leave the leaves uncovered if possible.

Hoya nummularioides cutting in on perlite in plastic bag

Cover the container in a plastic bag to trap humidity. Place the container somewhere bright and warm but out of direct sunlight.

Sphagnum propagation

Pros:

• Good airflow prevents rot

Cons:

• Cuttings will only root where they are in contact with the sphagnum
• Needs to be watered regularly to prevent the sphagnum drying out

Find a suitable small pot and fill it with sphagnum moss. Place the cutting inside the sphagnum and use a spray bottle to moisten the moss.

Potting on

A rooted Hoya nummularioides cutting

Once the cutting has developed at least one root ~2cm long it can be put into a proper growing medium. Use an extremely well draining hoya soil and water the plant more frequently within the first few weeks of potting on, but try to only wet the substrate around where the roots are developing at first.