How to Fix a Hoya That Isn’t Growing, Once and For All

Do you have a Hoya that isn’t growing? So did I, and I tried everything to get it to grow without any success. Until a few months ago when a simple little trick finally got my stubborn Hoya to throw out new growth for the first time in over two years. So what finally did it? Read on to learn exactly what I did!

The Hoya That Wouldn’t Grow

A couple of years back, I acquired a wish list plant – a Hoya obovata. I had been searching for one for at least a year on and off until I finally found someone in my area selling a “rooted cutting” on Facebook marketplace. I excitedly brought my new plant home and placed it in my sunniest window – prime real estate for my new prized possession. Then, I eagerly waited for the first signs of new growth. And waited…and waited.

Eventually, two years passed with absolutely no growth. I tried repotting the plant, fertilizing it, placing it under grow lights, watering it more often, watering it less often, moving locations…I even double checked that it was real at one point (it is, just to be clear). I have lots of experience with houseplants and I will admit I was totally stumped. What on earth is going on!?

The stubborn Hoya in question. No growth in over 2 years!

This Hoya came to me looking slightly disheveled. Clearly this plant had been cut and propagated many times and I had received what was left of it. It had three leaves, all were in good shape, but no clear growth point that I could see. None of that mattered to me, but I made note of it. I fully expected that it would put out new growth within a couple of months of bringing it home. I mean, I know Hoyas can be slow-growing but I have never heard of a plant that doesn’t grow for two years but is otherwise completely healthy.

The Trick for Boosting Growth

So what finally did the trick?

I took the Hoya out of its soil and moved it to water. Not even a month later and a brand new leaf had grown from a totally new growth point and stem.

It was like magic!

I’ve used this trick for other tropical plants in the past, particularly Alocasias and vining plants like pothos or heartleaf Philodendron, but never with a Hoya. It was a last ditch effort and I’m relieved to say that it worked! After about 2 months in water, I eventually moved the Hoya back to substrate, and it’s now living in my Greenhouse cabinet.

If you want to try the same trick, here’s how to move your hoya to water to encourage new growth.

Instructions

Remove the plant from its pot by turning it upside down and gently wiggling the roots from the container. Be careful not to break any roots (or as few as possible!).
Wash the dirt from the plant’s roots. Remove as much as you can.
Fill a container with clean, room-temperature water. I like using glass jars and vases so I can keep an eye on the roots.
Place the bare-root Hoya in the water.
Put the plant in a location that receives bright, indirect light.
Change the water once every 1 to 2 weeks.

Since the first time I tried this, I have successfully rehabilitated my hoyas twice more with this method. So, I feel confident in saying that this really works.

Immediately after transitioning the plant to water.

Can Hoyas Grow in Water Forever?

Based on my experience, Hoyas can grow in water for an extended period of time without issue. We’re talking several months here. However, Hoyas are not well-suited to growing in water forever. It’s simply not how they grow in nature. For that reason, I stick to growing them in water as a method for rehabilitation or boosting growth. Eventually, you need to move them back to some kind of substrate to ensure they get the nutrients they need. I’d suggest doing this before the fall and winter months when the plant goes into dormancy!

Does This Work with Any Type of Hoya?

So far, I have successfully rehabilitated a Hoya obovata (twice!) and Hoya kerrii using water. I am also confident this method would work with Hoya carnosa varieties, as I have used water to propagate them several times. So, in short, I think this will work with most Hoyas, if not all!

Transitioning From Water to Soil

Transitioning a Hoya from growing in water to soil is a simple process, however, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, ensure you choose the correct potting medium. Hoyas are semi-succulents that can get over-watered easily if they don’t have proper drainage (this is counter intuitive after growing them in water, I know). As a result, it’s important to choose an airy, well-draining potting mix for your Hoya. Succulent soil mixes and mixes designed for aroids are both great options.

Second, it’s important to keep the soil/substrate evenly moist for the first week or so to help ease the transition. This will ensure the plant’s delicate water roots aren’t killed off the second it’s moved out of the water. That said, don’t waterlog the soil! You’re aiming for damp, not soaking here.

Lastly, don’t be alarmed if your plant suddenly stops sprouting new leaves. Expect that there will be an adjustment period, especially if the dormant season is approaching. Don’t panic; once your plant has acclimated and the warm weather returns it will be growing normally again in no time!

READ NEXT: Top 10 Hard to Kill Houseplants