The wax flower ( Hoya carnosa ) is a prodigious plant, whose name comes from the appearance of its flowers which seem to be made of wax or porcelain, especially when they are not yet fully open.
Depending on the length of the plant, it is possible to leave it hanging or adapt it to a climbing plant, although in the latter case it will still be necessary to fix it to a support.
To flower, the wax flower must be placed in a well-lit area, but not exposed to direct sunlight. The ideal is to place it outside, in a place sheltered from sunlight but with plenty of light.
The wax flower does not resist intense cold, so if you decide to grow it in cold places it will be necessary to protect it from wind and frost.
Its leaves are oval and fleshy in appearance, indicating the water reserves that the plant is able to retain. Despite this, it is advisable to water it frequently in summer, to encourage flowering.
In winter it is necessary to reduce the frequency of irrigation, allowing the surface soil to dry between one watering and another. Too much water could cause the leaves to yellow.
The wax flower can reach a height of several meters, but this will depend on the size of the pot. A 30 cm pot is sufficient to contain a 3 or 4 meter tall plant. The plant begins to flower when the roots are tight.
The main causes of flower bud drop are excessive heat (an average temperature of 30°C or higher), plant movement, cold air currents (such as air conditioning), and lack of water.
The plant will not flower if it lacks nutrients, light or moisture or if the pot is too large.