Right after New Year’s, I received a healthy Hoya Australis clipping, about a meter long. Compared to other Hoyas I own, it was the least spectacular, but very healthy.

I had to cut the clipping in half and placed both vines in water. I had to remove a few leaves, as this part of the plant would rot if kept submerged. I placed the leaves in a covered container with moss to see if the stories are true. 

After a month and a half, my two vines had developed plenty of roots and were ready for a change of decor. I made a simple trellis from galvanized wire and garden twine, placed the two vines in a pot with aroid mix and twisted them around the trellis to obtained the cutest houseplant. 

Two of the leaves I planted in moss grew roots, but I left them there to see if they might develop into baby plants. My online searches didn’t yield a definitive answer for this type of propagation. Some sources claim you can propagate certain Hoya varieties from a single leaf, but without specifying which varieties.

While I know many flower and plant shops sell Hoya Kerrii leaves potted for Valentine’s Day, I’m aware that these are essentially “zombie plants.” They only develop roots, never new growth, unless a piece of stem is attached to the leaf.

I own a Hoya Kerrii Variegata and noticed how closely spaced the leaves are, making it unlikely to find a bit of stem in those cute heart-shaped pots. Therefore, it’s highly probable that my rooted leaves will become zombies. This is a long-term project, as zombie leaves can survive for years without actually growing.

Here, due to limited space, I uploaded only two photos. To see more photos and a time-lapse of the whole process, check my Instagram page @greenmonstera.clinic.

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