Native to India, they are most typically kept as houseplants in North America and are regarded as being easy-to-care-for, slow-growing, long-lived, and perfect for newbie plant lovers.
Unlike the Hoya carnosa, the Compacta type has a pendulous growth habit and the trailing vines and leaves look excellent when hanging over elevated shelf ledges or in hanging baskets.
The gorgeous pinkish-white and tiny star-shaped flowers are other factors that make this plant popular. They develop in ball-shaped clusters and appear from early spring all through the summer.
The flowers can persist up to a few weeks, and strong plants flower prolifically. You only have to be patient with a new plant, as it can take up to a few years before it starts to produce blossoms.
Plant Care
If you are a houseplant rookie and looking for something that doesn't require too much upkeep, then a Hindu rope plant could be a suitable alternative. They merely require a well-drained potting mix, a reasonable amount of warmth, and bright, indirect sunlight to thrive.
Light
Too much direct, bright sunshine will result in leaf scorch for Hindu rope plants, and too little means their growth pattern will be very slow, and they may not produce any flowers. Bright but indirect light usually offers the best outcomes in terms of growth and flowering. Avoid setting your Hindu rope plant near a window that receives extended exposure to direct afternoon sun.
Soil
As you would expect from an epiphytic species (one that may grow on the branches of other plants), heavy soil will not be suited for the Hindu rope plant. It needs a fast-draining potting mix that is bright and airy.
Soggy circumstances will be the death of your plant, therefore additions of perlite, orchid bark, and peat can be helpful to maintain excellent drainage.
Water
Succulents store water in their foliage. Given that the Hindu rope plant is a semi-succulent species, it doesn't need a lot of water to survive. During its active development season in the spring and summer, it will need more regular watering, but this should only be once the top few inches of the soil are entirely dried up.
At this time, your plant will appreciate a deep watering, but you need to make sure it is growing in a pot with sufficient drainage holes. Waterlogged circumstances are a huge problem for this species and can result in blossom drop and root rot.
Be sure that, especially in the dormant winter months, you are frugal with how much you irrigate your Hindu rope plant. Although this plant can tolerate periods of drought, if it is left dry for unduly extended periods, this can also result in blossom drop, or it may not produce any blooms at all.
Temperature and Humidity
Hindu rope plants appreciate constant and warm conditions. Anything below 50 degrees F will be a concern. However, because most indoor temperatures are above this, this species does well as a houseplant. Just be sure to safeguard it from sudden temperature changes. Positioning your plant beside a heater or on a draughty windowsill should be avoided.
Low humidity levels can result in a loss of the waxy, glossy sheen that the plant's leaf is noted for. If your home atmosphere is dry, you can use a humidifier to ensure lush green vegetation and gorgeous blossoms appear. Another option is to place the plant container on top of a tray that has been filled with pebbles. This permits drained water to sit under the plant without contacting the roots.
Fertilizer
To ensure your Hindu rope plant continues to produce lush, brilliant leaves and a profusion of healthy flowers, you might consider feeding it with a light dose of fertilizer during its growing season. It's enough to feed a weak solution merely every couple of months, and the plant won't need any feeding over the winter.
Selecting a fertilizer that is heavy in potassium will help generate the best results in terms of flowering. If the foliage and blooms are already healthy and profuse, you could leave it as it is. Overfeeding these plants is common, and it can cause them to produce smaller-than-average leaves that curl and seem unattractive.
Varieties of Hindu Rope Plants
This plant also comes in a variegated variant with pink or creamy-white edges on the leaves.
Hindu Rope Plant Propagation
Stem cuttings from Hindu rope plants can be easily grown. Take a four-inch section of stem from a healthy plant. Remove the leaves from the lowest area so they may be rooted in potting soil that is well-drained and airy. Be mindful that, as mature plants, cuttings take a long time to root and thrive.
Hindu Rope Plants: Potting and Repotting
These plants are slow-growing and prefer to stay pot-bound, so they won't require repotting frequently.
It's common to practice to plant them in a small container. They won't outgrow it quickly, and the smaller size means there's less chance of overwatering. Simply make sure that whatever pot you choose has plenty of drainage holes to avoid wet conditions.
If you're not sure if your Hindu rope plant needs repotting, look for signs like the soil drying up too quickly after watering, the potting mix being unduly compacted, and thick roots obstructing the pot drainage holes.
