Repotting My Large Hoya Topiary

Oh my goodness, how I do love Hoyas! They’re such an easy and attractive houseplant to grow and when they flower, even more sweet. I had trained this plant on bamboo hoops 2 years ago and it has since grown like crazy. Time to spring into action and get to repotting my large Hoya topiary.

This Hoya carnosa variegata, which I bought in a 4″ pot years ago at Roger’s Gardens (a must visit nursery if you’re in or visiting the Orange County, CA area), came with me when I moved from California to Arizona last summer. It grew outdoors in Santa Barbara and does the same here in Tucson, except for 2 colder winter months which it spent in the garage.

I had repotted it twice and needed to do it again as the low bowl was way too small and the 40″ hoops were flip-flopping every which way. Shame on me, that’s no way to treat a plant you adore!

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Repotting my Large Hoya topiary on the side patio: 

Materials I used:

Most Hoyas, aka Wax Plants, are epiphytic and love a rich mix with excellent drainage. All the mixes and amendments listed below are organic. You can see the portions I used in the video.

Potting Soil.  I’m partial to Ocean Forest because of its high-quality ingredients. It’s a soilless mix & is enriched with lots of good stuff but also drains well. It’s great for container planting, including houseplants.

Succulent & Cactus Mix. Here’s the recipe for the mix I use.

If you don’t want to make your own, these are available online:  Bonsai Jack (this 1 is very gritty; great for those prone to overwatering!), Hoffman’s (this is more cost effective if you have a lot of succulents but you might have to add pumice or perlite), or Superfly Bonsai (another fast draining 1 like Bonsai Jack which is great for indoor succulents).

Compost.  I used Tank’s local compost. Give Dr. Earth’s a try if you can’t find any where you live. Both enrich the soil naturally.

Orchid Bark. Epiphytes love orchid back.

Worm Compost. This is my favorite amendment, which I use sparingly because it’s rich. I’m currently using Worm Gold Plus. Here’s why I like it so much.

Coco Coir. This environmentally friendly alternative to peat moss is pH neutral, increases nutrient holding capacity & improves aeration.

Here’s the Hoya right after I transplanting. It needed straightening & stabilizing but I’m thankful I got it in the pot without all coming apart.

4′ Bamboo Stakes. I used these to stabilize the hoops in the tall container – you’ll see what I did in the video.

Fishing Line. To tie the stakes to the hoops.

30″ Tall Resin Planter. It was a sand color & I sprayed it with 2 colors red gloss paint.

By the way, these are just like the 40″ Bamboo Hoops I used a couple of years ago to train this Hoya. The apron I’m wearing in the 2nd half of the video is one that we design and manufacture. It’s a great denim work apron with lots of pockets; plus, it’s cute too.

This is how the Hoya looked when I transplanted & trained it 2 years ago, back in Santa Barbara. How small & pale it was!

I said in the video that I didn’t want this plant to get any taller but I think I’ve changed my mind. It sits right outside the sliding glass door in my living room and the plant and jazzy red pot are very eye catching. I can see it from the dining room and kitchen too – it makes me happy when I look at it.

I’m going to keep my eye open for a couple of 60″ hoops and add them in as the plant really starts to trail. Oh no, I think I need (want?!) more Hoyas too!

Here’s a post and video on Hoya care which I hope you find useful. I’ve a couple of updated Hoya care posts – this 1 on growing a Hoya as a houseplant and another on growing a Hoya outdoors.

They’re wonderful houseplants, and as you can see, take to training very well. Have you trained any Hoyas? If so, please share how. Inquiring horticultural minds want to know!

Happy gardening & thanks for stopping by,

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