How To Propagate Hoyas: Propagating Hoya Plants 5 Ways
If you’ve ever owned a Hoya plant, you know this for sure—one is never enough. I have five of them. With so many beautiful varieties on the market, it’s hard to resist adding to your collection. The good news? You can easily propagate Hoyas and grow your own.
There are a few ways to propagate Hoyas. Some are easy and great for beginners, while others take more patience and effort. But watching new roots form and fresh leaves emerge is always rewarding, no matter your chosen method.
Maybe you have a favorite Hoya to share with a friend or to multiply your plant family. Whatever the reason, we’ve got you covered.
Botanical Name: Hoya spp Common Name: Hoya, Wax Plant
How To Propagate Hoyas
When To Propagate Hoyas
The best time is during the growing season. This is spring and summer, and into fall if you’re in a more temperate climate. You can propagate houseplants in winter, but it’s a slower process. In the colder months, heat mats help speed the rooting process along.
Advantages of Propagation and Pruning
The best part about propagating Hoyas? More plants! It’s a budget-friendly way to grow your collection without spending extra money. Plus, pruning your Hoya isn’t just about getting new plants—it also helps the mother plant grow fuller, encourages new growth, keeps the vines from getting too long, and lets you shape it just the way you like.
I’m pointing at a root emerging from the stem. This makes hoya propagation easy.
Propagating Hoya Plants Five Ways
1) Hoya Propagation by Stem Cuttings
This is probably the most common way to propagate a Hoya. I’ve used this method many times and have always had success with healthy stem cuttings, whether I rooted them in water or a mix. Pictured below is the cut end of the stem that rooted in water. You can see the roots emerging from the leaf nodes. The roots started to appear in about three weeks. I ended up planting the cutting in the pot with the mother.
Take your Hoya cuttings from softwood for the best results. This cutting was about 4″ long, but I’ve taken cuttings up to 12″, and they’ve rooted just fine. The key is making a clean cut with sharp, clean pruners. After that, I let the cuttings dry and callous over for 12–24 hours before placing them in water or a rooting mix. This helps prevent rot and gives them a better chance to thrive.
For water propagation, you don’t need a special container. A jar, vase, or glass works fine. Keep water in the container just above the bottom node or two, making sure they’re always submerged in water. You don’t want to submerge the whole stem in water.
Moving on to stem propagation in potting mix. Cuttings root best in a propagation medium that is very light so the new roots can easily form. There are propagation mixes on the market, but I use succulent and cactus mix. Some people like to dip the cut end of the stem in a hormone powder before planting. I’ve never done it, but that’s your call.
When rooting Hoyas in a mix, I use shorter stem cuttings—usually with 2 to 4 nodes at most. I strip off all the lower leaves except the ones at the very top. To plant them, I create a small hole in the mix, place the stem inside, making sure at least one or two nodes are buried, and gently cover it up.
Water propagation advantage: You can see the root growth action. The rooting process happens quicker, so you’ll see results faster.
Potting mix propagation advantage: A well-draining mix helps prevent root rot. It does take longer for roots to develop, but your cutting can adjust better to soil, reducing the risk of transplant shock.
Care Tips: Change the water every week to keep your cuttings fresh. Keep cuttings in a mix evenly moist, not dry nor soaking wet. Make sure to place them in bright indirect light with good air circulation.
If you’re interested in growing one of these plants, check out our hoya care guide.
2) Hoya Propagation By Division
This is the quickest way to get new plants. By dividing your Hoya, you can end up with two or three mature plants right away, depending on its size. I usually separate the root ball with my hands, but if it’s being stubborn, a knife comes in handy. Some hoyas divide more easily than others—it depends on their age, size, and how tangled the stems are.
3) Hoya Propagation by Layering
The next is layering. This method has always worked for me, too. Now, I want to clarify by saying this isn’t air layering – that’s a completely different propagation method.
Simply take a softwood stem of the plant, which is still attached to the mother plant, and pin it into a small pot with drainage holes filled with well-draining soil mix. I use succulent and cactus mix. Make sure the mix is thoroughly moistened. Most times, you’ll see little roots emerging on the stems, and that’s what you want to get on top of the mix.
If you don’t see roots, pin the softwood stems down and they’ll appear. Again, I use stems no longer than 12″ and have put up to 5 in a 4″ pot. Place in bright light (no direct sun) and make sure the mix doesn’t dry out.
By the way, I use greening or floral pins, like you see in the picture below, quite a bit. They’re great for holding down cuttings, making wreaths, flower arranging, and training topiaries.
When the stems are fully rooted in the mix (usually around two to three months), you can cut them from the mother plant.
4) Hoya Propagation by Leaf Cutting
The next method is by single leaf cutting. This is more of a method I’ve seen used with the Hoya Kerri or Sweetheart Hoya, and are most often sold around Valentine’s Day. The first (and last) time I did this, the leaves started to root after five or six weeks. After ten months, there was no new growth action at all.
I’ve read quite a few things about propagation by leaf cuttings, and the camp is definitely divided. A random few say they succeed with this method, and the majority say “no go” – a new plant never appears. I understand that even if you can get new growth to appear, it’s not true to the parent plant.
I wanted to touch lightly on this because some people like to propagate by leaf cutting. Seeing a Hoya Kerrii leaf in a small terra cotta pot is more of a novelty, but be aware it’ll stay as is indefinitely. If you want to give it a go for kicks and giggles, know that the petiole has to be attached for it to happen.
5) Hoya Propagation by Seed
This is the only method I have no experience with. Fresh hoya seeds can be hard to find, difficult to germinate, and the most time-consuming way to propagate from start to finish. Enough said on that. But, if you’re patient and curious, give it a go!
Propagate Hoyas FAQs
Why are my Hoya cuttings not rooting?
A few common reasons: no node, inconsistent moisture, the rooting medium is too dense, and temps are too cool. Be patient, it can take time!
Do Hoya cuttings need a node to root?
Included in the answer above, yes.
How long does it take for Hoya cuttings to root?
It depends on the environmental conditions and what medium you’re rooting them in. In water, I usually see the first roots emerge around the three-week mark.
Can I root Hoyas in sphagnum moss instead of water or soil?
I’ve never done it, but yes, you can.
Should I cover my Hoya cuttings to keep in humidity?
Hoyas love humidity. If rooting in soil medium, it might help. That being said, I live in the Arizona desert and have never done this. The cuttings have rooted fine.
Should I fertilize my Hoya cuttings while they root?
No, they don’t need it at this stage. You can fertilize after the cuttings are transplanted and established into a plant.
When should I transfer my Hoya cutting to soil?
Your Hoya cutting is ready to be transferred to soil when multiple roots have formed that are at least 1–2″ long, as shorter roots may struggle. Another sign is when new growth, like fresh leaves or shoots, has started to appear.
Video Guide
Plant propagation is a fun and rewarding way to grow your Hoya collection, not to mention cost-effective. Whether you’re looking to create new Hoya plants for yourself or share with friends, these five methods give plant owners plenty of options to have fun experimenting with. Propagating Hoyas takes a little patience, but it’s well worth it.
Happy Gardening,
- About the Author
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Nell, the founder of Joy Us garden, was born into a gardening family and grew up in Connecticut’s countryside. After living in Boston, New York, San Francisco, & Santa Barbara, she now calls the Arizona desert home. She studied horticulture & garden design, working in the field all her life. Nell is a gardener, designer, blogger, Youtube creator, & author. She’s been gardening for a very long time & wants to share what she’s learned with you.
I was extremely lucky to get my hands on a seed pod from my Dad’s hothouse after he passed away and have been successful propagating from the seed, I have 5 Hoya plants from planting 10 seeds.I think it has been 5 years, so yes it is a lengthy process. 3 of the seedlings took off in the first year but the other 2 grew a few leaves and hadn’t done much growing until about 6 months ago I am eagerly awaiting flowers from the first 3, hopefully I will not have to wait too much longer.
Hi Monica – I’ve never grown Hoyas from seed so thank you for sharing. I imagine it takes years for them to bloom when grown from seed. I find the blooming varies from year to year with my Hoyas – some years heavy, some not at all. Nell
I went down to Melb. last weekend, when I got back home on wed. I noticed one of the first 3 Hoya’s to come up has started growing a flower spike. Can’t wait to see what colour it will be.
I had stems from my Hoya plant that have produced umbels with flowers even though the leaves had fallen from the plant months ago. I knew that leaf cuttings don’t produce new plants but only a bunch of roots and I am curious if these stems with nodes and no leaves are going to grow roots inside a small container filled with water. I don’t know if the stems do photosynthesize along with the leaves.
Hi – To the best of my knowledge, stems (of plants in general) do photosynthesize as long as they’re green. Stems aid in the photosynthesis process. Hoya propagate by stem cuttings easily as long as a node or 2 is in water. I would imagine that those stems that had leaves would produce them again. Nell
I have a 48 year old hoya plant and it needed to have old leaves and stems removed. I did this last weekend and have some stems rooting now to put back with the mother plant. This is my favorite plant and the blossoms are beautiful.
I love them too Linda – the foliage & flowers are lovely. My 3 are doing well even here in the Arizona desert where I’ve recently moved to. I’m going to be training & propagating my largest 1 soon. Nell
Years ago l had a huge. Fantastic Hoya. For years it didn’t flower. We moved and it was in a completely different place it flowered beautifully. Then one day someone stole it from our porch!!!! Talking about it to a friend and she has sent for seeds. It will be up to me to propogate them. Will keep you posted. Annie
Ann – Stealing a beloved plant … that’s a crime!! I love Hoyas & mine seem to flower when they want to. My large H. variegata topiary is in need of pruning & training. Post & video on that coming soon. Nell
” I understand that even if you can get new growth to appear, it’s not true to the parent plant.”
Wrong. The new plant (if you indeed get one to grow this way) will be genetically identical to the plant which the leaf was taken from.
Hi Bob- Thanks for sharing that. I’ve heard otherwise – that if it works, it could go either way. I’ve never gotten any hoya leaves to produce new growth in all the times I’ve tried. Nell
I am not great at gardening or tending for plants. We have one of these in our office at work and it bloomed for the first time sine my manager has had it for 2 years. Its beautiful and smells wonderful, and I have been told it is super easy to care for so I am going to try # 4. My questions are, though, how do we know when it is ready to move to it’s own planter what is the best way to do this without disturbing it? Should the planter be shallow, or is a deep planter ok? Or should it be a basket? AHH so many questions…Thank you!
Hi Jillian – Hoyas are pretty tough & transplant very well. You can leave it in the 4″ or 6″ pot for a while (the one you’re propagating it in). At this time of year when the weather’s warm, they’ll be rooted & ready to cut loose within a couple of months. I’v found them not to be fussy regarding plant size or type but I’d steer clear of a shallow pot. I don’t transplant mine very often. Nell
Hi Nell……
I recently got a leaf cutting of hoya obavata. It has a good root started but how long before it starts to grow off shoots?
I inherited a Hoya from a 96 year old woman. She had it growing in a brass pot with no drainage. I put it outside last summer and it did amazing, it had been neglected and now it was doing great. No flowers but it was huge. I brought it in for the winter and no, it did not do well at all. I am down to two leaves and a thin leafless viney thing coming out. One piece broke off, the stem was beige and has leaves on it. I researched and ended up here with you experts. I guess I could not root the broken piece as I would imagine it being beige is not ‘new wood’?
I am not sure what to do to save this poor thing. Such a shock to see it go from a big beefy plant to this diminished state. Any ideas for this good ol plant?
Hi – Hoyas in general aren’t fond of being moved; often at least. Hoyas propagate easily. If roots are showing on the stem, you can pin it down on a small pot of mix & it’ll further root that way. Nell
Hi Nell!
I have a large hoya compacta and a new hoya carnosa. I would love to get my hands on a established obavata! Have you had experience with hoya linearis? This is one I have interest in but never seen.
Thanks Freda
I Nell, super excited to find you! I was given some vines of a Kerrii Hoya, Some of them have flowers and some other my pretty lengthy, 2 seporate, long “3 to 4ft” vines. They do show areal roots. My friend has the outside, texas heat, under some beautiful oak trees. These where growing up, so the leaves are upside down.
My question to you is do I root them in water, the correct direction, or do I put them long way, like air layering and or stick the stem in soil?
2nd do I keep the flowers, so it can focus on rooting? Thanks in advance
Hi Monica! I usually root hoya stems in water, in the direction they grow, because it’s easy & the roots form fast. When propagating any plants I always remove the flowers to focus the energy on the rooting process. Nell
I have a star joys and was wondering if the seeds in the flower could be sewn to start a new plant? Haven’t had much luck but don’t know if I am doing it correctly. Kaysa
Kaysa – I’m assuming you mean Shooting Star Hoya. Yes, the seeds can be collected. Just be sure to sew them soon after collecting. Nell
I have, i believe a wax hoya with small blossoms and purple centers. I left, a beautiful healthy hoya and Christmas cactus, for 38 days with daughter and came home to them looking terrible….withering and dehydrated. They are my favorites. The cactus was my mothers who passed away at 99, a year ago and since then it has bloomed every other month! Plus it started having double blossoms. And now they are so sick. Does your 4th propagating method work for wax hoya’s? Any idea on the Christmas cactus?
Cindy – Yes, the 4th method does work. If you can find some decent stems, you can propagate the CC.Or, try repotting it. Here: https://www.joyusgarden.com/houseplant-repotting-christmas-cactus/ https://www.joyusgarden.com/how-to-propagate-christmas-cactus-holiday-thanksgiving-by-stem-cuttings-with-1-easy-twist/ https://www.joyusgarden.com/christmas-cactus-leaves-turn-orange/ Nell
Hello! Your videos and blogs are so helpful.
I have a hoya carnosa that started with a few plants in the pot and I have since pinned down some of the vines to encourage it to keep spreading and filling in. Now I’m thinking how nice it would be to have 2…. Do you think it would survive if I divided it?
My thought is to take a careful look and find all the places where it is rooting, then cut only what needs to be in order to roughly halve it, and then wait a few weeks for it to adapt before moving them into separate pots. But I’m just so scared to ruin it!
TIA for your thoughts
Hi Rachel – It’s hard to say without seeing it. Hoyas are tough & I’ve divided a few of them. If it looks like you can easily divide them into 2, then go for it. Nell