World's Most Satisfactory Houseplant

Day 248: My blog would be incomplete without a nod to the World's Most Satisfactory Houseplant, Hoya bella. This small-leaved "miniature" Hoya is classified as an ever-bloomer, i.e., it comes into blossom every six to eight weeks rather than flowers only appearing once a year. And it blooms lavishly! Lightly scented flower clusters appear not only on the tips of each cascading branch, but oftentimes along the stem at leaf nodes. It is a vigorous trailing grower suitable for hanging baskets in eastern or southern windows, and needs pruning regularly to keep it from reaching the floor. Not to worry! Simply stick the cuttings in water until they form roots and then pass them around to your friends.

This plant will flourish even under the care of those with the proverbial "black thumb." I often ignore mine's watering needs until I happen to notice that the leaves are beginning to wither. A little refresher restores it to full health within a few hours. It is better to keep it on the dry side than to over-water, and it blooms best when slightly rootbound. Transplant only when the soil is depleted and if possible, simply restore the plant to a pot of the same size or only slightly larger.