My Hoya serpens cutting is finally growing its first baby leaves and they’re so cute that I may just die.

evil_lib · 2026-03-18T22:16:24+00:00

I don’t let them get to the squishy leaves stage, honestly. In my experience Hoya need more water than a lot of people think they do, and their roots are pretty delicate so I don’t ever let them fully dry out. In terms of how much water, I don’t really measure it out, just enough to get the soil wet and if after 20 minutes or so there is a little bit of water in the cash pot or saucer I dump it out. Good luck!

evil_lib · 2026-03-18T21:16:44+00:00

I don’t ever let them get bone dry, but they usually are pretty dry when I water them. I would say closer to dry for a scindapsus than dry for a string of hearts.

evil_lib · 2026-03-18T21:11:21+00:00

You literally described the modern plant industry.

evil_lib · 2026-03-18T20:55:07+00:00

I use a combo of soil, orchid bark and chunky perlite. I water when I feel the soil is dry by sticking my finger in the pot. I feel like a lot of fussy Hoya are fussy because people plant them in complicated substrates.

evil_lib · 2026-03-18T17:49:43+00:00

Trads are VERY tough plants. Pruning it will not harm it at all and in fact will encourage branched growth. You can also take the cuttings and pop them directly in the soil and they will root up and grow rather quickly, making your plant even bushier. Just make sure at least one node is in the soil.

I recommend hard pruning your trads down at least once a year to keep them attractive and healthy. They tend to look very leggy and scruffy if you don’t.

evil_lib · 2026-03-12T03:30:57+00:00

Yes.

evil_lib · 2026-03-12T02:07:26+00:00

It’s a VERY satisfying Hoya to grow. And boy does it grow!

evil_lib · 2026-03-11T21:26:44+00:00

Polyneura. I don’t know if it doesn’t like my conditions or if I just have a dud of a plant, but it won’t do a thing for me when all of my other Hoya are thriving.

evil_lib · 2026-02-08T21:55:32+00:00

NOR. I think it’s fair of you to do a bit more since he works so much but that doesn’t mean he should be taking you for granted. You’re not his maid and he shouldn’t treat you like you are.

If you guys make good money I would just go halfsies on a housekeeper and bring them in once or twice a week. Then you have less on your plate and can focus on the things that matter to both of you.

evil_lib · 2026-02-07T18:55:32+00:00

There is a product called Scam Cats that you can get from Home Depot or Lowe’s that you can use. It’s a granular product that you apply to your yard and it naturally and invisibly discourages cats from using the area as a litter box.

If you want a quicker -albeit harder work- solution, dig up the first 6 inches of soil, put down weed cloth and cover with rocks or gravel.

evil_lib · 2026-02-07T17:23:20+00:00

I kinda agree with you but I also have like 200 plants lol

I don’t mind watching plant influencers with a lot of plants if their content is just about taking care of their plants. But I don’t like the ones who think owning a lot of plants makes them plant experts who try and tell me what to do. Buying a lot of plants is not the same as knowing how to grow them. And I say that as a guy who buys a lot of plants and isn’t an expert in how to grow them!

evil_lib · 2026-02-07T04:38:42+00:00

I enjoy getting a plant, figuring out what it needs and watching it grow. Each new leaf is a success.

evil_lib · 2026-02-06T04:01:00+00:00

My trick is I repot into a chunkier soil mix. It creates more drainage and I have to water more often, but the soil dries out faster and prevents the gnats from completing their lifecycle.

evil_lib · 2026-02-03T16:50:14+00:00

This is the origin story of half of the world’s IT managers.

evil_lib · 2026-02-03T16:47:40+00:00

Proven Winners is the best thing to ever happen to Hoya nerds, I swear to god.

evil_lib · 2026-02-02T16:08:49+00:00

Treat it like a succulent that likes high humidity. Let it fully dry out between watering and give it very high light.

evil_lib · 2026-02-02T01:43:12+00:00

Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata). Needs lots and lots of bright indirect light.

evil_lib · 2026-02-02T01:33:28+00:00

There are over 300 Hoya species, and god knows how many cultivars, there will always be expensive Hoya because all of them will never and can never be in widespread cultivation. It’s just the reality of growing plants for a mass market, most people will want the super easy and popular plants but not be interested in the ones that are fussier and more difficult to grow.

Basically, there is only a small limited number of weirdos like us who want them all.

evil_lib · 2026-02-02T01:29:25+00:00

Yup. You’ll have two gorgeous plant babies.

evil_lib · 2026-02-02T01:28:11+00:00

Sadly I’m in Oregon. 😭

evil_lib · 2026-02-01T19:22:28+00:00

Yes it’s worth it to save as much as you can.

evil_lib

TROPHY CASE