Do you know what kind of hoya it is?

Susan,

Just put it in front of your sunniest window. Hoyas are pretty adaptable, though an old one can sulk for awhile after a drastic change. I would also get detailed instructions on how your mom took care of it. How often did she water? Did she fertilize regularly? It's important to keep the care the same until it settles in to its new surroundings.

Denise in Omaha

Also can you give it some artificial lighting...maybe a florescent light if you don't have a sunny window. Even a few hours a day might help. Good luck!

It will be a carnosa, no doubt.

Susan, your Hoya is tolerant of low light conditions. That is to say, it will not die in your vampire abode. However, it will stop blooming, because it does very much prefer high light conditions.

You basically have two options. You can either give it the best light you've got, sticking it RIGHT up against the window, and be content with its pretty leaves, or you can get some kind of grow light to supplement what you have naturally available.

Other general care instructions are that carnosa likes to dry out between waterings. You'll want to water it until the water runs out the bottom, whenever you can stick your finger in a couple inches and it feels dry. It's best to err on the side of watering it too little than too much. It is a myth that Hoyas do not like to be fertilized and prefer to be neglected. The common species are just tough, so in other words, do feed it. ^_^

When you repot it, which should be done periodically when the soil is draining too fast or the plant just seems less enthusiastic than usual, try to use a chunky mix. Most people here use a blend of peat, bark, and perlite.

You're so very lucky to have inherited a beautiful heirloom plant. It is not a difficult Hoya to grow, so relax and experiment and I'm sure you two will be bonded in no time.

If you have a warm climate, you can grow your hoya outside in a partly shady location. I bring mine in when temps drop to about 50F.

At first you can expect some yellowing and leaf drop, but that most likely won't last long. Maybe stop fertilizing for a short while to give the plant time to adjust and start it again when you see signs of new growth. You can add some pebbles to the bottom of the pot so you don't accidentally overwater. Enjoy your heirloom plant!

Thank you for the input!!!

Mr. Hoya will have to be repotted because the pot is falling apart.... I'm afraid I will add insult to injury. I have one sunny window but fear that I will be wearing a hoya boa when I sit at my computer unless I make an adjustment...LOL