Soil is one of those things we debate over, but I think what we all agree on is a fast draining mix. If you research how Hoyas grow in habitat, they grow in jungle areas where they set roots in tree crotches as they grow towards the top of the tree canopy. All that is in those tree crotches are fallen twigs, leaves and bark from the trees, which means when it rains (which is often...), it just runs right through it. So a loose, fast draining mix will most simulate that. If you give it a fast draining, loose mix, you can then water a little more often, which I find is more conducive to a happier plant. I use coir and perlite, about half and half. If you use a standard potting mix and add a lot of perlite or orchid bark, that would work well too.

Denise in Omaha

Check out local independent nurseries in your area, and see what they sell for mix. Many commercial, mass produced products come in a solid coloured bag and you can't tell what's in it, ( until you open it ). Some of these can contain fine soil , which eventually compacts.
I use a product that is a mix of crushed pine bark and Florida and Canadian peat. It looks/smells/feels so good,
I could almost eat it ! It costs nearly $4.00 for only one cubic foot. That's expensive, but I don't care ! Hoya's are precious. If they needed to be fertilised with Dom Perignon, I'm sure most of us would do it !!

Also, if you find potted hoyas in stores, it's common practice to re pot with a proper mix, ( when you get home ), esp. while the plant is smaller and easier to manage.

Florajilly

That is funny Florajilly about the Dom Perignon. LOL
Your are right though, I think we who have many hoyas are up to spending whatever it takes to keep them happy.
I have tried different mixes over the years with different combinations of things. Most work unless you get one too heavy that doesn't dry out well quickly.
Some of the ones made for tropicals are good, but must be mixed with more perilte or orchid bark, etc to make them drain better as they are too wet too long otherwise.
The thing that erks me the most is that most all of the mixes that the stores carry now come with ADDED ingredients for fertilizers and wetting agents. It is hard to find a good basic mix to start with that isn't full of other stuff you DON"T WANT. Since I add my OWN special fertilizers, I don't want a mix that already has some others I don't want (like Miracle Grow added to it). That makes for way too much fertilizer in the pot after I get started with my regime.
Also those "wetting agents" (polimers) they put in there now make that soil stay WAY too wet for hoyas. Those may be OK if your planting roses or hibiscus outside in the sun or something, but in the house in a hoya pot, they are a death sentence. Sooooo...you certainly must read the ingredients in the general mix that you plan to start with.
I used to always use "Supersoil" (sold at most box stores like Home Depot or Lowes). It is a good basic mix that is loose and doesn't have much added to it. Then I would add some perlite and maybe orchid bark or pumis, etc for added drainage.
Lately this spring I have been repotting with some special mixs sold at hyponics stores called Light Warrier and Ocean mix. I mix those two together then I still added some perlite and they are doing GREAT in this mix. It is terribly expensive however (compared to the Supersoil). But ...like you say...if they wanted some champagne...I think I would be pouring it on them. Ha. We do LOVE our hoyas, don't we?
Marcy

While many of my hoyas are growing in plain old potting soil, I've started using something called "Special Orchid Mix" which is available at Lowes and Home Depot. It has lots of chunky stuff (perilite, charcoal, tree bark).

I mix this with regular potting soil (about 2/3 soil and 1/3 Orchid Mix).

My plants seem to like it so far...

hi all, i have another ? to add to" lioness'" ? do they like to be rootbound? in a small pot or are they ok w/ a larger pot w/ more plants .thanks aheadmolly