Repotting guide

When & how to repot Hoya Krimson Princess (Hoya carnosa 'Krimson Princess')

Also called Krimson Princess wax plant, Hoya carnosa 'Rubra', variegated wax plant, porcelain flower.

More about hoya krimson princess

About Hoya Krimson Princess

Hoya carnosa 'Krimson Princess' · also called Krimson Princess wax plant, Hoya carnosa 'Rubra' · houseplant

Hoya Krimson Princess is a trailing wax-plant cultivar prized for waxy leaves with creamy-pink inner variegation and clusters of fragrant, star-shaped flowers. Give it bright indirect light, let the soil dry almost fully between waterings, and warmth above 10C. The ASPCA lists Hoya carnosa as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Mature size: Trailing or climbing stems reach 90-120 cm (3-4 ft) or more indoors with support; a slow grower that takes a few years to reach full size.

Watch for — Yellowing leaves: Almost always a sign of overwatering or poor drainage - let the soil dry out more between waterings and check that the pot drains freely.

How to tell hoya krimson princess needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For hoya krimson princess, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot hoya krimson princess

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Hoya Krimson Princess's growth habit — evergreen, semi-succulent epiphytic vine with trailing or climbing stems and thick, waxy variegated leaves. mature plants produce perennial flowering spurs (peduncles) that bear clusters of fragrant, star-shaped pink-and-red blooms. — sets the pace. Hoya Krimson Princess is a trailing wax-plant cultivar prized for waxy leaves with creamy-pink inner variegation and clusters of fragrant, star-shaped flowers. Give it bright indirect light, let the soil dry almost fully between waterings, and warmth above 10C. The ASPCA lists Hoya carnosa as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

What size pot to step hoya krimson princess up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Hoya Krimson Princess stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot hoya krimson princess

Spring or summer, while hoya krimson princess is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting hoya krimson princess

Repot dry. Do not water hoya krimson princess for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty loose, very well-draining aroid- or orchid-style mix ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set hoya krimson princess at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep hoya krimson princess completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for hoya krimson princess

Hoya Krimson Princess wants loose, very well-draining aroid- or orchid-style mix. Use a chunky, airy mix - a quality potting mix amended generously with orchid bark and perlite gives the aeration these epiphytic roots need. Always pot into a container with drainage holes to prevent soggy roots. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting hoya krimson princess — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot hoya krimson princess?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for hoya krimson princess. Repot hoya krimson princess every 2–3 years into a snug pot of loose, very well-draining aroid- or orchid-style mix, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does hoya krimson princess need?

When is the best time of year to repot hoya krimson princess?

Should you water hoya krimson princess after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot hoya krimson princess into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise hoya krimson princess after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting hoya krimson princess. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.