The RHS hoya growing guide says to feed hoya lightly every couple of weeks in spring and summer with a balanced, preferably urea-free orchid feed, and about once a month in autumn and winter until spring growth resumes. It warns that too much fertiliser can cause salt build-up that stops roots absorbing water, so it advises flushing pots with plain water every few months. It does not give a separate feed for leaves versus flowers.
The RHS feeding schedule
| Season | What the RHS says |
|---|---|
| Spring and summer | Feed lightly every couple of weeks with a balanced orchid feed, preferably urea-free |
| Autumn and winter | About once a month until spring growth resumes |
| After repotting | Do not feed for five to six weeks |
| Salt build-up | Flush pots with plain water every few months |
Too much fertiliser
The RHS says too much fertiliser can cause salt build-up that stops roots absorbing water, and lists overwatering or poor drainage as causes of dropping leaves, blackening, dieback and root rot. A pot that drains freely makes flushing easier; see Best Potting Mix for Hoya.
What drives flowering, according to the RHS
The RHS says failure to flower may be due to insufficient light, that plants should not be moved once buds form because they may drop them if the light changes, and that leaving spent flower stalks in place can produce a second flush. It describes the flowers as white, waxy and star-shaped, in domed clusters, strongly scented especially at night. So the page ties flowering to light rather than to a special bloom fertiliser.
What the page does not cover
The RHS page does not recommend a bloom-booster or a particular nutrient ratio beyond a balanced feed. For the general question of whether phosphorus helps flowering, see Does Phosphorus Make Plants Bloom?.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I feed hoya?
Every couple of weeks in spring and summer, and about monthly in autumn and winter, according to the RHS.
What fertiliser does the RHS suggest?
A balanced orchid feed, preferably urea-free.
Does fertiliser make hoya flower?
The RHS names insufficient light as a possible cause of failure to flower. It does not describe a flowering feed.
How do I stop salt build-up?
The RHS says to flush pots with plain water every few months.
Sources read for this page
Last reviewed 15 October 2026. Written by Md. Firozur Rahman. This page is based on one source; see the Disclaimer. Back to the Hoya hub.
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