Winter is when most houseplants quietly struggle, even if they look fine at first glance. The light shifts, indoor air dries out, and watering habits that worked all summer suddenly start causing problems. Hoyas are no exception. They’re resilient plants, but they come from warm, humid environments, and winter indoors is the opposite of that.
Over the years, I’ve learned that hoyas don’t need complicated care in winter. They just need restraint. Less water, steadier light, and a bit of attention to humidity go a long way. Once I stopped trying to “help” them too much, my hoyas stayed healthier and, in some cases, even bloomed.
Light Matters More Than You Think in Winter
I don’t move my hoyas constantly, but I do reassess their light when winter starts. Shorter days mean less energy, and hoyas need bright light to maintain their thick, waxy leaves and prepare for blooms.
I keep mine near an east-facing window whenever possible. South- or west-facing windows also work, as long as the plant isn’t sitting in harsh direct sun. If the light is strong, I pull the plant back slightly or filter it with a sheer curtain. North-facing windows usually aren’t enough on their own.
When light drops too low, hoyas don’t always show stress immediately. Growth slows, leaves may thin slightly, and flowering stalls. That’s usually my cue to adjust placement or add a grow light.
Winter Is When I Water the Least
This is the biggest change I make, and it’s the one that keeps my hoyas alive.
In winter, hoyas are semi-dormant. They’re not actively pushing growth, so they don’t need frequent watering. I let the soil dry out almost completely between waterings. If the pot still feels heavy, I wait.
Overwatering in winter is what causes most hoya problems. Cool temperatures and low light slow evaporation, and wet soil quickly leads to root rot. I’d rather see slightly wrinkled leaves than soggy roots.
That said, I still pay attention to the plant itself. Soft, limp, or deeply wrinkled leaves tell me it’s gone too dry. Hoyas communicate clearly if you watch them instead of the calendar.
Dry Indoor Air Is the Silent Stressor
Heating systems strip moisture from the air, and hoyas feel it. I don’t mist mine, but I do focus on ambient humidity. Grouping plants together helps, and placing a small humidifier nearby makes a noticeable difference.
When humidity is stable, my hoyas can go longer between waterings and maintain firm, glossy leaves. Low humidity combined with overwatering is especially risky, so I try to balance both.
What I Do (And Don’t Do) to Encourage Winter Blooms
Hoyas don’t bloom on demand, and I don’t force them. But I’ve learned what helps.
Bright light is non-negotiable. Without it, flowers won’t happen. Sparse watering also plays a role. Slightly drier conditions encourage flowering, while too much water often causes buds to drop before opening.
One thing I never do is cut off old flower spurs. Hoyas rebloom from the same peduncles year after year. Removing them means starting over from scratch.
Some hoyas bloom faster than others. If winter flowers matter to you, varieties like Hoya australis are much more willing than slower growers.
The Bottom Line
Winter hoya care isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing less, but doing it deliberately.
I give them bright, indirect light. I water sparingly. I keep the air from getting too dry. And then I let them rest. When spring returns, they’re already healthy, rooted, and ready to grow again.
If you want, I can tighten this for Discover, adapt it to a Homedit-specific headline structure, or pair it with a quick winter hoya checklist for visual content.
