How to Make Hoya Krimson Queen Bloom?

Native to the subtropical forest of Southeast Asia, the Hoya Krimson Queen is simply a variegated variety of the Hoya carnosa plant.

Entire leaves or just leaf edges of the plant are white, creamy white or pink contrasted with a dark green color that completes the leaves.

It’s definitely an unforgettable plant that’s made even more appealing by its fragrant, star-shaped blooms that grow in multiple clusters.

Growing the plant itself is not difficult, inducing blooming, however, can be a bit challenging, but not impossible.

If you’re determined to get your Hoya Krimson Queen to bloom, my tips below will help you induce blooming.

When Does the Hoya Krimson Queen Bloom?

The Hoya Krimson Queen plant blooms, only when it reaches maturity. That usually happens after three or four years of growth.

Apart from the maturity-related requirement, it’s also important to note that the plant blooms in spring and summer, when temperature and humidity levels rise.

It is also important to prevent overwatering of the plant, especially that the Hoya Krimson Queen’s blooming is often triggered by reduced watering.

Tips to Encourage Blooming in Hoya Krimson Queen

This Hoya plant adapts well to indoor conditions, but the plant will bloom if certain requirements are met.

Here’s what you need to induce blooming in your Hoya Krimson Queen:

– Provide Indirect Light

The amount of light your Hoya Krimson receives will determine not only its growth rate but also its blooming ability.

Indirect light that’s bright is what’s ideal for this plant that tends to quickly scorch if exposed to direct sunlight. Dappled light or filtered light works well as well.

I’ve had success with keeping my Hoya plant in an east-facing window but anywhere is good if the plant doesn’t get blasted directly by the rays of the sun.

– Plant in Loose, Airy Soil

Another important thing is the quality of the soil. Soil that’s heavy or prone to compaction will create problems for the plant including overwatering issues.

To ensure a healthy root system, the Hoya needs loose, airy soil that drains well. To ensure good drainage use substrates that contain peat moss, orchid bark, pumice, coconut coir, and even clay balls.

You can mix high-quality potting soil with one-third sphagnum peat moss and one-third orchid bark or the other substrates I mentioned including coarse sand.

–  Ensure Average Room Temperature

The temperature range that works best for the Hoya Krimson Queen and that helps along its blooming is between 65-85 degrees F.

If exposed to cold temperatures, or even cold drafts, the plant can quickly die. The plant can tolerate higher temperatures, but it may need more watering.

– Don’t Forget About Humidity

This plant enjoys above-average humidity. Although it’s difficult to maintain high temperatures and high humidity indoors, you can make use of humidity trays or even a humidifier to ensure your plant gets the level of humidity it needs.

Humidity trays are simple to set up. Simply use a tray that you fill with pebbles or pumice and put water in the tray so that it covers the pebbles only about half-way.

Place the plants on the pebbles but make sure the bottom of the pot does not touch the water. As water evaporates from the tray, it naturally increases humidity around the plant.

Don’t mist the plant. Its leaves can quickly develop fungal issues that can be extremely difficult to treat, so it’s best to keep water off the leaves.

– Don’t Overwater the Plant

Watering the plant correctly is another thing you should watch out for if you want your Hoya Krimson Queen to bloom.

Overwatering will create an environment in which fungus and bacteria grow and lead to rotting roots.

Therefore, besides potting your Hoya plan in loose, well-draining soil, you should also make sure you’re not giving it too much water, too often.

One easy way to avoid overwatering is to check the moisture level of the soil. You can do that by sticking your index finger into the substrate approx. 2 inches deep.

If the soil is still moist, check back a few days later. Water only when the soil starts to feel dry. Water until you see water coming out of the drain holes. Allow all the water to drain, and make sure to empty the saucer afterward.

As the blooming period approaches, slightly cut back on watering. This will trigger blooming.

– Don’t Forget to Fertilize But Don’t Overdo It

Although the plant needs fertilizer, too much of it will cause root burn. Use a water-soluble, liquid fertilizer that’s high in nitrogen, low in potassium.

You don’t need to fertilize often — once or twice a month during the growing season (spring-summer) is plenty. Not only that you shouldn’t fertilize often, but you should also use a weak solution.

Dilute the fertilizer to half-strength or quarter-strength. Never use full-strength fertilizer or fertilize more often than twice a month — you’ll just end up burning the plant’s roots.

– Learn How to Correctly Prune the Plant

The reason it’s important to understand how to prune this plant is that you may end up pruning the stalk — called peduncle — that carries the inflorescence of the plant.

The blooms of the Hoya plant grow from the end of this peduncle, forming round clusters of 30 flowers or so.

If you cut down vines that contain these peduncles, you’ll essentially stop your Hoya plant from blooming.

Therefore, only cut vines that don’t contain peduncles, so your plant can continue to bloom year after year.

Conclusion

Don’t worry if your Hoya Krimson Queen doesn’t bloom in the first couple of years of its life. It’s simply not mature enough. It can take up to four years of growth for the plant to start blooming.

Even then, you’ll need to maintain a good plant care regimen. Focus on maintaining optimal temperatures, high humidity and a good watering regimen, so that you don’t end up overwatering the plant.

Also, once peduncles are formed on the plant’s vines, you shouldn’t accidentally cut them off when pruning the plant — you’ll be cutting down the part, which carries the inflorescence of the Hoya plant.