My obovata finally bloomed! I checked its roots over the weekend and it had definitely outgrown its pot. It was requiring much more water than usual and the roots looked packed inside the pot. I found a cheap bamboo trellis at a local nursery for under $2, so it was just added to the new pot for height and stability. Of course, like everything else in my balcony garden, the new pot is clear and sits inside a decorative cache pot.

Overwatering causes black spots on the bottom of leaves called edema, which you can see in a few pictures below. Being careful not to overwater is the key to having those charming round leaves. Inconsistent watering patterns have caused some of the bottom leaves to grow in funky shapes, so learning when and how to water is important if you want that perfectly shaped leaf. Another thing to note is proximity to light makes changes to this hoya’s leaf coloring and shape. Less light means darker leaves, while more light turns them a lighter yellow-green.

The best care tip – find a good spot for it to live and just leave the plant alone. Water it when its roots look dry, but don’t mist and fuss with it. More about obovata care.