The porcelain flower (genus Hoya) is often referred to as a wax flower because the filigree flower umbels with up to 30 individual flowers appear to be cast from porcelain or wax. This makes it all the more annoying for many hobby gardeners that the plant with its relatively simple foliage can stubbornly refuse to bloom from time to time for a variety of reasons.
Why isn't my porcelain flower blooming?
If the porcelain flower does not bloom, this may be due to incorrect placement, excessive fertilization, incorrect overwintering, an unsuitable water balance or substrate. Ideally, place your plant in a bright location without direct sunlight and ensure balanced watering behavior.
Do not rotate the Hoya after installation
As a rule, the wax flower is only cultivated as a houseplant in this country, as it is very sensitive to cold temperatures due to its tropical origins. However, a rather dark location only poses a problem to a limited extent, as the porcelain flower does not need a location with direct sunlight for the flowers to form. However, the tiny flower heads usually form clearly on the side facing the window, even before further leaves grow on the shoot ends of the tendrils on this side. Some Hoya owners are willing to turn the visually striking flowers towards the room and its residents when the flowers open. The affected porcelain flower can then react offended by no longer blooming in the current year or beyond.
Do not fertilize too much and overwinter properly
The wax flower should be regularly supplied with suitable fertilizer and water for he althy growth, but the failure to bloom can also be due to an oversupply of nutrients. The right temperature during the winter season is also important: If some types of wax flowers are overwintered too warm, flowering may not occur for a certain period of time. For the best possible compatibility, heavily grown Hoya specimens should be repotted in spring if possible.
Make sure you have the right water balance and the right substrate
The wax flower should never dry out completely in its pot, but it doesn't like waterlogging at all. Therefore, it should be watered regularly, but never too extensively. It is ideal if the correct moisture balance is created via the substrate used and a drainage layer and drainage holes in the lower area of the pot. In order to create the perfect conditions for the porcelain flower and its lush bloom, the following criteria should be observed:
- water with rainwater if possible
- use low-nitrogen flowering plant fertilizer
- don't keep it too warm
Tip
An important point in growing the wax flower is removing the flowers after flowering. In contrast to other plants, these should not be removed immediately for visual reasons, as new flower heads can often form in the same places.
