See a rope hoya plant revived. This viewer-inspired video features a rope hoya (wax plant) that is in pretty bad shape. In this first video of the series, we repot the rope hoya.
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Today, I am doing a revival video suggested by one of my subscribers, Christina H. Thank you, Christina H, for this great idea! It just so happens that someone gave me a hoya carnosa, also known as the corkscrew or rope hoya, that looked pretty bad and needed reviving. We are going to see if we can bring this plant back to life.
I pruned off a lot of the dead material, so the plant is cleaned up. When doing a revival, it’s important to remove dead leaves and branches. Make sure the material is actually dead before you prune. You can rub the scissors or pruning shears against the vine; if there’s green underneath, it’s still alive. If it breaks off easily and is all brown, then it’s dead. So, it’s best to get rid of the dead stuff.
However, remember that pruning can stress the plant. This particular hoya is already stressed, so I want to avoid cutting it back too severely before attempting to revive it. Always water your plants before repotting them, as mentioned in my repotting series. This hoya was watered yesterday, and I gave it a little more water this morning. I suspect that the reason it’s doing poorly is that it has been in this pot for way too long and isn’t getting enough water.
When reviving a plant, you may find mushy roots, indicating root rot. I have a whole playlist on root rot, so consult that if you discover compromised roots. In this case, I think we’ll find a lot of roots but very little soil, which explains why this plant is in desperate need of repotting.
I have two pot sizes here. This is a hanging planter, and I removed the hanger part so I can work with it. For plants that have been in the same pot for a long time, there’s often a lot of salt buildup, especially if it’s a plastic pot. If it’s a beautiful clay or ceramic pot that you love, just clean it well, and it’ll be okay to reuse.
Typically, when I revive a plant, I will go with a pot that is either one size smaller or the same size. However, since I believe this plant doesn’t have root rot, but rather just lacks enough soil, we will need to go a little bigger. We don’t want to go too big, as that can lead to overwatering and root rot.
I’m going to take it out of the old pot and examine the roots. Sometimes they get stuck, but I think this one will come out fairly easily. When I water the plant, it will help loosen the roots. As you can see, I’m breaking up the roots as I go, and there are indeed many roots in this plant. It’s primarily roots and not much soil, so adding soil should help revive it.
Now, I’m going to put some soil in the bottom of the new pot. I like to use drywall tape to cover up the holes, preventing soil from leaking out. Since this plant already lacks soil, we certainly don’t want to lose any more.
I’m putting in about an inch to an inch and a half of soil. We want the plant to settle in at a depth of about a quarter to half an inch below the rim of the pot, ensuring that when watered, the water doesn’t rush out. If the pot is too deep, it can become overly moist, leading to pests, diseases, and root rot.
If you find yourself filling a pot with an excessive amount of soil before repotting, that’s a sign that the pot is too big. Remember, you want a two-thirds plant to one-third pot ratio, as well as a two-thirds root mass to one-third soil ratio within the pot itself.
Now that I’ve set the plant down, I’ll start filling in around it with soil. This is Pro-Mix BX soil, and I’ve added some micronutrients via worm compost and extra pumice, as hoyas prefer quick drainage. You can refer to my video on hoya care for more information.
As I fill in the soil, I’m ensuring that the roots, which are currently inactive, will start to grow strong roots in the new soil and moisture. Do not add fertilizer when reviving a plant, as that can be too much stress. The plant needs to focus on reviving itself by developing strong roots. Worm compost is a low-nutrient amendment that can help the plant fend off diseases.
When you repot a plant, always water it thoroughly afterward. You want to soak the soil until you see water coming out of the drainage holes. This is particularly important for a plant that has been deprived of water for a long time.
After repotting, I can feel how heavy the pot is. Later, when I check to see if it needs watering, if it’s half as heavy, I’ll know it’s time. A good sign that a plant is reviving is the appearance of new growth, which often emerges from the center or the base of the plant. Additionally, existing leaves will start to green up as they receive nutrients from the new soil.
A useful tip during the revival process is to insert a plant stake to keep track of the revival date and any care you provided. You can also document this in a notebook. It helps to keep a history of what you did for the plant to improve its health.
As I assess the plant, I noticed a dead end hanging, so I’m going to prune it back right above the last leaf. This will stimulate new growth because the growth hormones for the leaf are right there. When I see new green leaves peeking out, I’ll know the plant is thriving again.
Even though this plant looked bad, it already appears healthier just knowing it’s now in good soil with moisture and has a chance at life instead of dwindling away. Thank you for stopping by today! Please leave any comments about indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video. Don’t forget to hit the bell for notifications when new videos are released.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first step in reviving a hoya carnosa?
The first step is to prune off dead material. Make sure the material is actually dead before you prune.
How can I tell if a branch is dead or alive?
You can rub scissors or pruning shears against the vine; if there’s green underneath, it’s still alive. If it breaks off easily and is all brown, then it’s dead.
Should I prune severely when reviving a stressed plant?
No, avoid cutting it back too severely as it can stress the plant further.
What should I do before repotting a plant?
Always water your plants before repotting them to help them recover.
What are signs of root rot?
Mushy roots are a sign of root rot. You can consult a playlist on root rot for more information.
How do I choose the right pot size for repotting?
Typically, go with a pot that is either one size smaller or the same size. If the plant lacks soil, you might need to go a little bigger, but avoid going too big to prevent overwatering.
What is the proper soil depth for repotting?
Ensure the plant settles in at a depth of about a quarter to half an inch below the rim of the pot.
What soil mix should I use for hoyas?
Use a mix like Pro-Mix BX soil, and consider adding micronutrients via worm compost and extra pumice for quick drainage.
Is it advisable to add fertilizer when reviving a plant?
No, do not add fertilizer when reviving a plant, as that can stress it. Focus on developing strong roots instead.
What should I do after repotting a plant?
Water the plant thoroughly afterward, soaking the soil until water comes out of the drainage holes.
How can I tell if my plant is reviving?
Signs include new growth emerging and existing leaves starting to green up as they receive nutrients from the new soil.
What should I document during the revival process?
Keep track of the revival date and care provided by inserting a plant stake or documenting in a notebook.
How can I stimulate new growth in my hoya?
Prune back any dead ends just above the last leaf to stimulate new growth.
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