Hi Zoe,

If you're saying that the plant you got has been growing in water for years, I would continue to grow it that way. But if you're saying you are getting a cutting off the plant that's groing in water, I would go ahead and root it in soil and grow it the way they're meant to be grown. I've seen plants that have been in water for years, too, and are doing just fine. But there's a difference between water roots and soil roots, so you don't want to start out one way and then switch because it's like starting from scratch. Put your Hoya cuttings in a smallish pot - for carnosa, I'd say maybe a 4" or 5" pot - of potting mix with a little perlite added in, put it in a super shady spot in a warm place and keep it damp (but not soggy-wet) until you see new growth. The new growth will signal it has rooted.

You'll have to show us a photo of your G-ma's old water-growing carnosa!

Denise in Omaha

Oh great, thank you! I hope I remember to take a picture next time I'm there :)

:) I hope so too! Sounds like a fun sight.

I have to say I really enjoyed your question, Zoe. Even though Denise answered it so satisfactorily there is nothing more to contribute.

I experienced the same clash between what my green thumb relatives said about Hoyas and what "the entire internet" said. But I agree with the position of most serious growers, that we should make an effort to provide conditions that approximate or mimic the ones the plant is adapted to. Even if a plant is able to prosper in an unorthdox setup, it's hard to tell how the difference might be felt.

I can't wait until you post a picture of your grandmother's carnosa! Ditto on Denise's advice! Good luck with your new cutting!

Brad AKA Moonwolf

This is at least a picture of the cutting I have. I also hope I identified it correctly. If not, well, shame on me...

Yes, you're correct, Zoe. :)