The Hoya Krimson Queen is a flowering plant that was first discovered in 1858. It has since been native to tropical regions of Asia and Africa, but it can also grow outside of these climates with protection from cold weather. These plants are commonly grown as ornamental indoor plants due to their exotic appearance, but they are also grown for medicinal purposes by some cultures.
Its broad, waxy leaves can identify the Hoya Krimson Queen. These leaves usually grow in clusters, and white to pink edges are common. The white edges can appear on the upper side of leaves, while pink coloration is more likely to be seen on the underside of the leaf. If you run your fingers over a Krimson Queen plant’s leaves, they will feel smooth due to the wax that coats them.
The Hoya Krimson Queen is a beautiful flower belonging to the Apocynaceae family and is part of an even more diverse genus called Hoya. Hoya Krimson Queen, also known as the Hoya Tricolor, is a gorgeous variant of Hoya Carnosa(Wax Plant).
Hoyas are a type of plant that can be grown indoors or out. They have rope-like vines, and their leaves grow in whorls on the stem. Hoya is often used as epiphytic vining plants because they’re not good at climbing up walls themselves but do well with support structures nearby for them to cling onto when growing vertically; this makes hoyas perfect candidates for hanging baskets!
Hoya Krimson Queen Care
Caring for a variegated hoya carnosa plant is not complicated. On the contrary, many people find it one of the most rewarding houseplants they have ever grown. With just a few simple steps, you can create an attractive and long-lasting addition to any home or office space.
The Crimson Queen Hoya is a fun and beautiful pink plant. However, like all succulents, it requires special attention. Inside or outside, the following instructions will show you how to take care of one.
Soil
One of the most critical aspects in growing a Hoya Krimson Queen, or any other Hoyas for that matter, is having the right soil mix.
First off, an airy soil mix is essential for this plant.
If the air is trapped in your soil mix, it will cause root rot, which over time will kill your baby. To prevent air trapping, use either sand or perlite to aerate your soil mix.
To achieve an airy soil that still retains water well uses at least two perlite or sand parts for every three-part peat moss or coconut husk and orchid bark mixture.
The addition of pumice stones also helps with air circulation in the potting mix when added to said blend mentioned above before using it as a medium for growing hoya tricolor.
Secondly, peat moss is an essential element of your peat substrate. You need peat moss to grow carnosa krimson queen or any other variegated hoyas successfully.
If you opt for perlite instead of peat moss, go with at least 50% peat moss in the blend.
However, peat breaks down easily, which adds to air circulation problems mentioned earlier on this page. If not appropriately used when making potting mixes by first aerating it beforehand using sand or perlite as previously explained here. So, once again, adding pumice stones brings about a win-win situation when added to peat or peat moss-based potting mixes.
In addition, peat helps keep the soil warm, which is suitable for Hoya Krimson Queen plants in general since they grow best in warm climates.
Lastly, Some growers use LECA clay pebbles because they don’t break down easily over time, too, since LECA pebbles help with drainage issues, which means that Hoya carnosa krimson queen (and any other Hoyas) won’t sit in water when planted in said potting mixes.
All in all, airy soil that retains moisture well is essential for growing Hoya Krimson Queen successfully because the roots need airflow as much as they need water and nutrients to survive.
Light
Many people think that all Hoyas need a lot of bright light to grow well, but the truth is that some varieties tolerate lower light levels better than others.
This particular variety, however, needs bright filtered sunlight or bright indirect light from an east-facing window. So if your living room only gets direct sun for a few hours during the day and always has plenty of shadows as soon as the sun goes down, then you should consider moving this plant into another room.
Krimson Queen does not do very well in the partial or full shade either since variegated plants need more light than non-variegated ones to photosynthesize and grow. It may survive for a while, but it will never grow very well in shaded areas.
If you want your Hoya to thrive, make sure to provide suitable bright light or allow it plenty of time outside on sunny days instead of keeping it inside all the time.
In summary, Hoya Krimson Queens are not very picky about their lighting requirements, but they need more light to grow well.
Water
Hoya krimson queen is a woody-stemmed tropical plant that’s known for its thick, fleshy leaves. Soil moisture requirements should be taken into consideration once you put this plant in your home.
So let’s take a look at the water requirements of Carnosa krimson queen.
First, Hoya krimson queen plants like their soil moist but not too wet. So watering it once a week is best. But over-watering can be harmful to Hoya queen. So we suggest using the bottom watering method and occasionally misting your plant for healthy and happy growth.
Secondly, like most succulents, Hoya tricolor needs excellent drainage because it doesn’t like sitting in water for too long. So we suggest repotting your plant every so often and using good quality potting soil such as Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Soil (allows you to water less frequently but gives you a constant supply of moisture).
Lastly, if you know how to top-dress your plants, then do that once a year for Hoya krimson queen. Use either organic or artificial materials that will help with drainage and allow the roots to breathe easier. Or just take some of the soil from below and place it on top near the stem area mixed with some compost material for nutrients.
Temperature and Humidity
This popular variety of Hoya is an easy grower and doesn’t require a lot of fuss. This makes it a good candidate for novice gardeners. Temperature and humidity requirements can be easily met in home environments; however, the plant will not tolerate drafts or temperatures below 60°F (16°C).
When selecting a location for your Krimson Queen to grow, consider that this species requires high levels of humidity and warmth to thrive. It prefers warmer conditions with humid air between 61°F (16°C) and 95°F (35°C), though it can survive in the cold by keeping its leaves hydrated in cold temperatures.
The best humidity for Hoya Krimson Queen is 60 to 80 percent, which can be achieved by using a plant humidifier in dry winter months or place it on a tray of pebbles and water. This will increase the humidity while preventing long periods of wet leaves that can cause fungal problems.
Krimson Queens does not like drafts and thus should be kept away from doors and windows. An east-facing windowsill is an excellent location for this plant.
Cooler nights may cause Krimson Queen to drop its foliage, so cut back water during these colder months if it begins to look bare. It will grow new leaves when temperatures rise again.
As a result, It is essential to know the temperature and humidity requirements for Hoya Krimson Queen to take care of it properly. The best way to do this is by using a thermometer, which can measure both temperatures and humidities, or just measuring one at a time with two separate tools. If you are unsure what your house’s air quality should be like, an average range would be between 61-95 degrees Fahrenheit (or 16-35 degrees Celsius) with 60-80% relative humidity. Remember that these values will change depending on the season; make adjustments accordingly!
Fertilizer
Many gardeners are unsure how much or what type of fertilizer is needed to keep their plants healthy.
It is essential to know how much and what type of fertilizer you should use for your Hoya Krimson Queen. If the plant isn’t getting enough nutrients, it will not grow well or flower as expected.
It’s also important to note that your Hoya Krimson Queen is inhaling and exhaling CO2 in addition to eating.
This means that when you’re using a fertilizer with too much nitrogen, you end up harming the plant by making it use more CO2.
Using a fertilizer with too much phosphorus will result in uneven growth.
This is because your pink hoya plant absorbs different amounts of phosphate depending on what stage of its life cycle it’s in.
If you’re unsure which one to use, stick with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer like Miracle-Gro Liquid All Purpose Plant Food. Always read the instructions before application, as fertilizers contain different dosages for different plants, and using too much will damage your Hoya Krimson Queen.
Another good rule of thumb is to hold off fertilizing until your plant has grown at least four new leaves and then only sparingly (about once every other month).
When fertilizing a succulent-like plant like the Hoya Krimson Queen, make sure that there is plenty of nitrogen in addition to phosphorus and potassium on the ratio 7:9:5, respectively. Finally, applying a liquid synthetic fertilizer (15-15-15) can damage your plant leaves by burning them off if too much is used.
Hoya Krimson Queen Flowering
Hoya Krimson Queen is a lovely flowering plant. It is so named because of the bright crimson color on its corolla or perianth tube.
When fully opened and backlit, the flower looks like something from another world. Horticulturists prize the Hoya Krimson Queen for this unique look.
It takes a lot to grow, and it can take up three or four years before you see any flowers emerge from these slow growers!
If your Hoya Krimson Queen doesn’t seem to be blooming, it might be because of a problem. So let’s take some tips:
1) Keep this Hoya happy. It likes warmth, humidity, and good air circulation. To keep its roots cool in the summer, place the pot on a bed of pebbles or marbles. This will allow plenty of aeration around the root area, so it does not rot. Also, water frequently but leach well to prevent salt build-up.
2) Give this Hoya a slightly root-bound condition like it likes to be kept for it to bloom profusely and fast every two weeks or so. To help you do this, place the small pot inside a larger one and fill in some more pebbles at the bottom to keep the small pot elevated.
3) Give it lots of light, but not direct sunlight. A place where it can receive bright filtered or indirect light is perfect. But if you are keeping your Hoya Krimson Queen outside, please also remember to bring it back indoors at night time so that it can avoid being chilled by the cool night air.
4) Keep it slightly warm at about 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and drop down to around 55 or 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night for this Hoya to flower profusely.
5) Feed your Hoya with balanced liquid fertilizer mixed at half the strength of the recommended concentration once every two weeks.
6) Especially during its blooming season, feed it more often or give it an additional dose of liquid fertilizer after every 6 to 8 weeks.
7) Be careful not to harm its roots while repotting. To prevent this, make sure you prune its roots first before putting them inside a larger pot.
8) Clean up the leaves of your hoya krimson queen after each bloom cycle to promote healthy new growth.
9) Prune it back to about 2 inches from the main stem once every winter to produce flowers abundantly next summer.
10) Use rubber gloves to protect yourself from its thorns. If you notice some black spots on your rubber gloves, these result from a mild acid released by this Hoya’s leaves and stems. So be careful not to come in direct contact with them as this could potentially harm your skin.
Pruning
The Hoya Krimson Queen is a succulent plant that blooms with pink flowers. It can be kept indoors or outdoors, and it’s a low-maintenance plant. But did you know trimming these plants can help them thrive?
We’ll discuss how to prune your Hoya Krimson Queen to get the most out of your garden!
The first step is removing any dead leaves from the plant. This will allow for more sunlight to reach the stems, causing new growth.
Next, remove any branches that are growing towards each other or crossing over one another. This will keep them from getting tangled together and promote fuller growth on both ends of the branch.
The third step is to remove any stems that are growing towards the ground. This causes sap to drain away from the plant, which can cause disease.
Finally, cut back any branches that are too long. Cut right above a leaf node (the point where a leaf attaches to the branch) or make it close to another branch. Doing this will allow each stem to grow freely and promote healthier growth on your Krimson Queen!
When you prune your Hoya Krimson Queen correctly, you’ll be rewarded with larger flowers and cleaner blooms!
Propagation Hoya Krimson Queen
As a gardener, propagating your plants is an essential part of the process. One way to propagate plants is by taking stem cuttings. This method can be used on any plant with stems with internodes (the spaces between nodes).
Hoya Krimson Queen is one example of a plant type where this technique works best. The stalk should be about 6 inches long and have at least four nodes along with it, each node containing at least two leaves.
Remember that propagation is most effective during the spring and early summer, so don’t forget to time it.
Let’s walk through the process step by step so that anyone can do it!
1- Prepare your workspace and tools
– Gloves (optional)
– Sharp, sterile scissors or knife
– Pencil or marker for marking the cutting’s progress
2- Prepare the rooting medium
Choose your rooting medium to be in a flat container. The easiest way to do this is to use a standard nursery pot. When choosing a container for rooting, it is vital to consider the depth of your medium. In general, you want it to be at least 4 inches deep. When preparing a new pot with potting mix, make sure that there are no rocks or large pieces of broken pot in the mix. The most common rooting combinations use equal parts peat moss and perlite. Put a couple of inches of this mixture in the pot and wet it, but don’t soak it.
3- Prepare your stem cutting
For best results, remove all leaves from the bottom third of the cutting. Choose a suitable place to cut (not too woody stem) with at least two nodes and two leaves on either side. Cut just below the node, making sure to leave it intact. The cutting should consist of at least four nodes and three sets of leaves. Cut the bottom set entirely off and then cut about an inch up from that. Remove the top set just below a leaf node. Where you make your cut isn’t crucial; near a leaf node will work fine as long as the other nodes are healthy.
4- Mark your cutting
After you have made your cut, it should be at three different heights. The bottom one should not contain any leaves and should be about an inch long. The medium height section containing two leaves should be 1 inch or so, while the top section with three leaves should be about 1 inch long. Mark the height of each leaf node on the cutting with a pencil or marker; this will help you when transferring your plant into the soil later on.
5- Prepare your rooting implement
Add about ¼ tsp (1ml) rooting hormone to the cutting at each leaf node (top and bottom). This substance is optional, but it will increase the chances of rooting and reduce fungal infections. You can purchase at almost any garden store or online for a couple of dollars.
6- Transfer to your pot
Once you have made your cuttings, it is time to transfer them into the soil. Take a cutting from the bottom up, opening up the mix with your finger. Place the cutting in the pot and make sure to put at least two nodes under the soil. Gently press down on the medium to ensure good contact with all parts of the stem. Repeat this process for each cutting, making a total of six per pot or twelve if you are using a 12-inch diameter nursery pot. The six cuttings per pot is a good balance between quality and quantity.
7- Wash your cutting
This step may seem unnecessary, but removing all of the leaves from the stem is essential. First, remove them with your sharp scissors or knife by cutting just below each leaf node. After this process, if you leave any leaves on, they will rot in the rooting medium and stop your plant from growing.
8- Check on your cuttings
After you have finished repotting the cuttings in the soil, it is time to check in on them. Keep an eye out for any signs of mold or fungus, which can grow with too much moisture. Keep the soil moist but not drenched. An excellent way to eliminate excess water is to use a spray bottle and lightly mist the leaves and roots of each cutting.
9- Wait for your cuttings to grow
After about a month, most if not all of your cuttings should be well rooted in their new pots. You can wait between two and three months for the cuttings to grow, depending on their size. This is an excellent time to practice some patience! You can tell that roots are growing by gently pulling on the stem of your cutting. If you feel any resistance, it means that they are starting to take hold in their new medium.
10- Transplant your new pink hoya plants
Once you are satisfied with the length of your roots, it is time to transplant them into their pots. This process may seem intimidating at first, but the best way to do it is by gently pulling on the leaves until they come out of the soil. Once you have enough space between each cutting, divide them up and place one cutting per pot. This will allow for enough space to spread their roots and produce the best flowers possible. If you are using a 12-inch diameter nursery pot, simply use a caliper to measure out where to divide them up.
12- Transplant your new plants into your garden
If you want to grow the ‘Krimson Queen’ in a garden, it is best to wait until all frost danger has passed. The plant will emerge from the ground around May and flower from June through August. Once nighttime temperatures fall under 50°F (10°C), it is time to bring your plants back into the home.
Transplanting & Repotting
It is time to transplant your Hoya Krimson Queen when it becomes root-bound (also known as pot-bound). This usually occurs after a few years of growth, but the roots can become crowded and tangled in no time at all if you’re not careful. Repotting will help stimulate new growth and maximize the number of flowers on your Hoya Krimson Queen.
When to Transplant and Repot
The best time to transplant and repot is during spring and summer, when the plant is actively growing. However, it’s more critical to repot when your Hoya Krimson Queen needs root room or suffers from any of the stress symptoms like slow growth or yellowing leaves.
Before Transplanting
Prepare your Hoya Krimson Queen for transplanting by slowly reducing the water and withholding fertilizer about a month before transplanting. Let your plant sit in dry soil for as long as possible to reduce the shock during transplantation. Also, prevent stretching or excess stem growth during this time by pinching off any new flowers or stems.
Pot Sizes
You can transplant and repot your Hoya Krimson Queen into smaller, larger, or the same sized pot. Just be sure to use a container with drain holes, so water doesn’t pool in the root zone.
Crimson Queen Hoya Transplanting
When transplanting, always use fresh soil. If you want to mix it up, go with a 50% peat moss and 50% perlite combination or a cactus potting mixture. Be sure to remove the Hoya Krimson Queen from its current container by turning it upside down and tapping the pot to loosen the root ball.
Once your Hoya Krimson Queen is free from its pot, untangle and straighten any roots that may be circling and tangled. If there are many tangled roots, use a sharp knife to separate them before planting in new soil. Next, gently spread out the roots and place your plant in its new pot. Finally, fill the bottom of the pot with soil mixture, making sure not to mound it up high enough to cover the crown.
You can lightly pack down or pat down the soil to settle it around the roots, then water thoroughly with room temperature water. Once you’ve finished transplanting, take a moment to examine your Hoya Krimson Queen for any signs of stress. If you notice the leaves curling, it’s most likely due to transplanting or repotting shock. The plant should bounce back in about six weeks.
Is the Hoya Carnosa Krimson Queen Toxic?
Good question! While most plants you have around your home are not poisonous, they contain substances that can be irritating. In addition, ingestion of any part of a plant can cause vomiting and nausea in some cases.
In the case of the Hoya Krimson Queen, it is non-toxic to humans or animals when ingested. But, ingestion of its sap can irritate the mouth and gastrointestinal tract.
That said, the ASPCA does not list this plant as being poisonous. So if you happen to have one of these plants around your home, it is probably safer than some other common household plants.
Just be sure that if your pet seems agitated after munching on a plant, you take it to the vet and mention that you think they may have ingested some part of a houseplant.
Pests and Diseases
Although hoya krimson queen is an easy-to-grow houseplant, it can also be affected by pests and diseases.
Pets
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are tiny insects that appear as white, woolly substances on hoya krimson queen leaves. They suck the sap out of the hoya krimson queen, which can lead to leaf loss. Treat hoya krimson queen with an insecticidal soap or neem oil solution if you see signs of mealybugs on your houseplant.
Spider mites
Spider mites are very small spiders that appear as small dots on the undersides of leaves. They suck the sap from the hoya krimson queen, causing yellowing and leaf loss. Treat spider mites with a neem oil solution to protect the hoya krimson queen from these pests.
Scale
Scale looks like bumpy brown or black spots on the stem. You can rub them off gently, but that’s about all you can do without harming the plant. Soap sprays effectively kill scale, even though they may not make your plants look lovely while doing it.
Scale is tough to control with insecticides, so it is crucial to treat scale right away before it becomes a bigger problem.
Diseases
Root rot
Root rot is a common problem with hoya krimson queen. Root disease can form when roots become waterlogged and cannot get the air they need. This causes damage to the root system and leads to problems such as leaf loss, yellowing of leaves, and slow growth.
Make sure the container you are using has suitable drainage holes so water can escape. Also, make sure the potting soil is not too wet or too dry.
Hoya Krimson Queen (Tricolor) Vs. Hoya Krimson Princess
The Hoya Krimson Queen and the Hoya Krimson Princess are two popular Hoyas getting attention recently. For a long time, many have been led to believe that Hoya Krimson Queen and Hoya Krimson Princess are the same plants. To the untrained eye, they do seem very similar. However, there is a difference between them!
First of all, let’s start with their similarities:
They both have dark green leaves with variegated contrasts in color. They both have yellowish to pink variegations. They are an easy plant to take care of.
Now, let’s take a look at what makes them different:
The leaf variegation between the two Krimson hoyas is where the distinction lies. The Hoya Krimson Queen has lighter pink plants at its edges, whereas the Hoya Krimson Princess has more of a yellow tone in the middle of the leaves.
In the end, it’s up to you. Which will be your choice? The Hoya Krimson Queen or Princess?
Either way, we hope you have a wonderful time with either plant!
FAQs About Hoya Krimson Queen
What is the Hoya Krimson Queen?
The Hoya Krimson Queen is a rare and fantastic-looking indoor plant with dark green leaves and a purple underside. It has become trendy in the United States because of its star-shaped flowers that are pink when it blooms.
Is Hoya krimson queen easy to care for?
Yes, Hoya krimson queen is relatively easy to take care of.
What is the best pot for my hoya krimson queen?
Your Hoya krimson Queen should be placed in an airy container to avoid rotting roots by keeping it too wet for too long, even if kept moist constantly.
Is Hoya krimson queen a slow grower?
Yes, Hoya krimson queen is a slow grower. It will take several years before the plant has filled out and started to bloom with large star-shaped flowers that are pink in color.
Does Hoya krimson queen need fertilizer?
Yes, you can add liquid seaweed or fish emulsion to the soil for growing healthy new leaves.
Are Hoya tricolor and krimson queen the same?
Yes, they are the same. They just have different names based on where they were obtained from. For example, the Hoya tricolor is known as krimson queen in Australia and Asia, while it’s called a three-color wax plant or waxy Hoya elsewhere.
Is Hoya krimson princess pink?
Yes, Hoya krimson princess is pink in color. When they first emerge, its pale green leaves are covered with reddish-pink hairs, which fade to white as the plant matures.
