Hoya Kentiana - Teak And Terracotta

The key to hoya kentiana care is to keep it’s roots from sitting in wet soil, and use a light, airy and well draining medium…

Hoya Kentiana Summary

Light needs:	Bright indirect sunlight.
Watering needs:	Water when soil is dry, checking it weekly.
Fertilizer:	Feed a balanced feed once a month in spring and summer.
Soil:	A really well draining mix.
Humidity:	60%.
Temperature:	10-25°C (50 – 77°F).
Where to buy:	Try one of these Rare Plant Shops.
Common issues:	Root rot from overwatering.

Introduction

The hoya kentiana is a really nice shaped hoya with thin long oblong leaves, and light green coloring down the leaf center.

Tip: we recommend Etsy for buying plants. Look for the best rated seller you can, and try to buy as close to your home as possible so the plant does not travel too far.

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Light Needs

Bright indirect sunlight is ideal. They’ll be fine back from the window in medium light areas too. Try to avoid direct sunlight as it can burn the leaves.

How Often to Water A Hoya Kentiana

Water when the potting mix is dry, checking it weekly. The roots must not sit in water logged soil as it can encourage root rot. They are naturally epiphytes, so they do not grow in heavy soil in the wild. This is really important with hoya care, as they can get root rot easily.

Fertilizer

Feed once a month in spring and summer, using a balanced feed, or one slightly higher in nitrogen will be fine. When the plant flowers, using a feed higher in phosphorous will encourage the blooms.

Soil

Hoyas need a really well draining mix as they are epiphytic and do not live in heavy soil in the wild. Ideally pot them up in a cactus mix mixed with the same amount of orchid mix (bark and perlite).

For more on hoya soil (what to buy and how to make your own) see our guide here: Hoya Soil.

When To Repot A Hoya Kentiana

Repot them once a year in spring.

Humidity

60% humidity is ideal for the hoya kentiana.

Temperature

10-25°C (50 – 77°F). They are tolerant of low temperatures and should do well in areas of the home that might be too cold for other plants.

Where To Buy A Hoya Kentiana

Try one of these Rare Plant Shops.

Hoya Kentiana Albomarginata

The kentiana albomarginata is a variegated hoya with large cream patches on it’s leaves. It needs the same care as another similar hoya, just be a bit more careful to give it the correct light conditions: it needs good amounts of lights as the variegated version does produce energy as efficiently due to lack of chlorophyll in the leaves, but at the same time it must not be given direct sun which can burn it.

For more on hoyas see our hoya category with all our hoya care guides.

Hoya Kentiana Vs Wayetii

The main difference between a hoya kentiana and the wayetii is that the leaves of the kentiana are much more elongated, and are pointed at the end, the wayetii has wider and shorter leaves, that also have a darker edge.

Hoya Kentiana Vs Shepherdii

The easiest way to tell the difference is that the shepherdii has white flowers and the kentiana has red. It is difficult to tell the difference if they are not flowering to be honest!

How To Propagate Hoya Kentiana

The best way to propagate a hoya kentiana is with stem cuttings, follow these steps:

Wait until the plant is not flowering, or at least find a stems with no flowers on it.
Take a cutting of the stem with two nodes on it.
Take the leaves off the bottom node, but make sure there are leaves on the top node.
Plant the cuttings in soil.
Put the pot in a plastic bag and almost seal it all the way, but leave a little whole for some air to get in and out.
Put it in a warm and bright place but out of direct sunlight.
Wait a month or two and keep it moist, and open the bag to refresh the air every few days.
The plants should develop roots and then start to grow more stem and laves from the top of the cuttings, at this stage you can remove the bag and you’re done.

Is It Toxic To Cats?

They are toxic to cats if eaten, and can cause vomiting and numbness. So seek vets advice immediately if your pet eats any.

Hoya Kentiana USDA Zone

They can live outdoors in zones 9-11.

FAQs and Common Problems

Overwatering is big issue as these are epiphytes – make sure the plant is in a really well draining potting mi and pot and only water it when totally dry.