Apocynaceae
Hoya carnosa 'Krimson Queen' Care Guide
Hoya carnosa 'Krimson Queen'
Give it bright indirect light, water only once the top 3-5 cm (1-2 in) of soil has dried out (roughly every 10 days), and pot it in a light, fast-draining mix of bark, perlite and coco coir. Let it stay a little snug in its pot, since Hoyas bloom best when slightly root-bound.
Every 10 days
Bright indirect
13° - 30°C
40% - 60%
Categories
What is Krimson Queen Wax Plant?
Krimson Queen Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa 'Krimson Queen') is a easy-care plant from the Apocynaceae family. Hoya carnosa 'Krimson Queen' is a variegated cultivar of the classic wax plant, an epiphytic vining member of the Apocynaceae family native to East and Southeast Asia. Its thick, heart-shaped leaves carry a broad creamy-white margin that blushes pink under strong light, framing a deep green center....
Krimson Queen Wax Plant grows up to 2.0m, spread of 60cm, watering every 10 days, 13°C – 30°C, 40–60% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Krimson Queen Wax Plant tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Krimson Queen Wax Plant is safe to keep around pets. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 20 days.
How to Care for Krimson Queen Wax Plant?
TLDR: Krimson Queen Wax Plant needs Bright indirect, watering every 10 days, and temperatures between 13-30°C with 40-60% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Krimson Queen Wax Plant?
Check the top 3-5 cm of soil with a finger and water only once it's dry -- usually every 7-10 days in summer, much less in winter. The fleshy leaves store water, so it's safer to underwater than to leave it soggy and risk root rot.
How Much Light Does Krimson Queen Wax Plant Need?
Give it bright indirect light near an east- or west-facing window, with 1-2 hours of gentle morning direct sun to encourage blooms and deepen the pink edges. Low light causes leaves to turn plain green and lose variegation.
What Is the Best Soil for Krimson Queen Wax Plant?
Use a light, chunky, fast-draining epiphyte mix -- combine orchid bark, coco coir, perlite and a little sphagnum moss -- always in a pot with drainage holes.
What Pot Should You Use for Krimson Queen Wax Plant?
A snug plastic or ceramic pot with a drainage hole -- Hoyas flower best when slightly root-bound, so avoid repotting too often or sizing up too much.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 30 days
Misting
Every 4 days
Rotate
Every 14 days
Repot
Every 730 days
What Is Krimson Queen Wax Plant and Where Does It Come From?
Hoya carnosa 'Krimson Queen' is a variegated cultivar of the classic wax plant, an epiphytic vining member of the Apocynaceae family native to East and Southeast Asia. Its thick, heart-shaped leaves carry a broad creamy-white margin that blushes pink under strong light, framing a deep green center. A slow but rewarding grower, mature plants produce ball-shaped clusters of small, star-shaped, waxy, fragrant pink-and-white flowers.
How to Propagate Krimson Queen Wax Plant?
Node stem cutting
Wear gloves when cutting -- the milky sap can irritate skin. Avoid pruning old flower spurs (peduncles), since they rebloom for years.
- 1 Cut a 10-12 cm (4-5 in) stem section with at least 2 nodes and 2 leaves using a clean blade
- 2 Strip the leaves from the bottom node and let the cut end dry for a few hours
- 3 Optionally dip the cut end in rooting hormone
- 4 Plant in a light, moist mix (or place in water) and keep warm and shaded until roots form
Materials needed:
Water propagation
Roots grown in water are more fragile than soil-grown ones, so handle them gently when transplanting.
- 1 Cut a stem section with 2 nodes and submerge the bottom node in clean water
- 2 Change the water every few days to prevent rot
- 3 Keep in bright indirect light until roots reach 2-3 cm long
- 4 Transplant into a light potting mix, keeping it lightly moist for the first few weeks
Materials needed:
How Big Does Krimson Queen Wax Plant Grow?
TLDR: Krimson Queen Wax Plant can reach up to 2.0m tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
2.0m
Spread
60cm
Growth rate
Slow
Foliage
Evergreen
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Air Purifying
Improves air quality
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Krimson Queen Wax Plant?
TLDR: Krimson Queen Wax Plant is susceptible to 6 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Scale Insects
Scale insects are small sap-sucking pests that appear as brown, shell-like bumps on plant stems and leaves. There are over 25 species, divided into armored (hard) and unarmored (soft) scales. They feed by piercing plant tissue and extracting sap, which weakens the plant and can lead to yellowing, stunted growth, and even death if left untreated. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and promotes sooty mold growth.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cottony material. They are common pests of houseplants and outdoor plants in mild climates. These sap-sucking insects feed on plant tissue, causing damage, stunted growth, and can lead to plant death if left untreated. They produce sticky honeydew which attracts sooty mold.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.
Meaning & Symbolism
As a variegated form of the wax plant, it's associated with enduring, quietly-revealed affection; its star-shaped flowers are a classic symbol of everlasting love in several Asian cultures.
Fun Facts
The pink blush on the leaf margins intensifies with more direct morning sun, acting almost like a natural light meter.
Hoya carnosa flowers release a sweet, honey-like fragrance, especially at night, to attract pollinators.
Despite the name 'wax plant,' the waxy texture comes from both the thick leaves and the glossy, star-shaped flower petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hoya Krimson Queen toxic to cats and dogs?
Why won't my Hoya Krimson Queen bloom?
Why are the leaves losing their variegation and turning green?
How often should I water Hoya Krimson Queen?
How do I propagate Hoya Krimson Queen?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
| Cushion Bush | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
