What month does the wax plant bloom? Detailed explanation of toxicity and placement for growing

Wax plant flower, also known as wax orchid, cherry orchid, and shinan vine, is a perennial evergreen climbing plant of the genus Hoya in the family Apocynaceae. Its leaf veins are not obvious and are nearly waxy, thick and plump, giving a sense of fullness and abundance. So, what month does the wax plant bloom? Is it toxic? Where is it best to grow it?

1. What month does the wax plant bloom?

According to data on the family Apocynaceae, the wax plant blooms from April to June and fruits from July to August. It likes a hot, humid, semi-shaded environment and slightly dry soil, and in summer and autumn it must be protected from direct sun exposure. Although it can also grow where there is no direct sunlight, it needs 3—4 hours of sufficient sunlight every day to bloom. It likes fertile, breathable soil with good drainage, and during the growing period it requires sufficient water but dislikes excessive moisture. After autumn, gradually reduce watering.

2. Is the wax plant toxic?

Before answering whether the wax plant is toxic, we should first introduce one of its functions——medicinal use. The entire wax plant can be used as medicine, with effects such as clearing heat and resolving phlegm, reducing swelling and relieving pain, and treating inflammation. Here we will introduce how the wax plant is used as medicine.

The simplest method for internal use is to mash it into juice and take it internally, or to decoct it in water and take the liquid; for external use, as with internal use, it is likewise mashed into juice and applied externally. So does this mean the wax plant is not toxic? No! As the saying goes, medicine is three parts poison. Everyone must not, just because the wax plant can be mashed into juice and taken directly, casually take a bite of it. This only shows that if you grow the wax plant at home, you can be completely at ease. Even if your skin touches the wax plant, it will not harm us, let alone the floral fragrance emitted by the plant, which is of course harmless as well.

3. Where is the best place to grow the wax plant?

Although the wax plant will not harm the human body, when growing it you need to choose a suitable place, because the wax plant is actually not very suitable for placement in the bedroom. This is because the wax plant's rich floral fragrance, especially at night, can affect people's sleep quality. So it is best not to grow the wax plant in the bedroom.

When growing the wax plant, you can place it on a balcony or windowsill and other such places. In this way, you can admire the wax plant's beautiful flowers without worrying that the floral fragrance will affect sleep. In addition to potted cultivation, the wax plant can also be used as a hanging flower, suspended in a suitable space, and the effect is also quite good.