Last Updated on May 28, 2022 by Gary Stephen
The hoya linearis is one of today’s most in-demand ornamental plants. This epiphytic evergreen perennial belongs to the family of succulents. It features soft, hairy, green, slender, and linear stems that trail down beautifully like a curtain. Making it the perfect hanging plant to fill a bare vertical space.
As gorgeous as it is though, hoya linearis has made quite an impression of being a challenging plant to grow. But, don’t get intimidated just yet. We will teach you the tips and tricks so you won’t have to go through the struggles yourself.
In this article, we will include everything you need to know on how to properly take care of hoya linearis. We will also share with you our top pick products to use when tending to this plant.
Let’s begin…
Basic Hoya Linearis Plant Profile
Scientific Name | Hoya Linearis |
Common Name | Wax plant, Porcelain flower |
Family | Apocynaceae |
Subfamily | Asclepiadoideae |
Tribe | Marsdenieae |
Genus | Hoya |
Origin | Himalayan region, Northern India |
Hardiness | USDA hardiness zones 11a to 11b |
How to Care for A Hoya Linearis Plant?
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Watering
Improper watering is often the pitfall among hoya linearis growers. That is because this plant leans toward the drier side. Then again, it still needs to maintain a good moisture level.
Pretty confusing, right?
Actually, it is not as complex as it sounds.
This only means that despite favoring a drier environment, your hoya plant still needs regular watering habits. Some people are too hooked to the idea of dryness that they tend to neglect the actual hydration needs of the plant.
In reality, hoya linearis prefers to be watered thoroughly. The only key thing to remember is to allow the soil to dry out well between watering sessions. Doing so enables you to provide the level of dryness it wants without depriving it of hydration at the same time.
So, how much water does your hoya plant needs?
Well, there is no exact amount since it depends on various factors. Nevertheless, you can try to feel the soil with your bare fingers to check if it is still moist or already dry. Moreover, you can also try to lift the entire pot to check for changes in weight. You will notice that dried-out soil weighs much lighter.
As a general rule, always allow the potting soil to get evenly soaked with water. The amount should be good enough to see the excess fluid flow out of the drain holes.
Another good trick when watering your plants is to use moisture meters. This is a simple garden tool that allows you to measure the moisture level within the soil. Thus, you will know exactly when it becomes dry and ready to be watered.
Our top picks for moisture meters:
Flexrake Classic Moisture Meter
Hydrofarm Active Air 2-Way pH & Moisture Meter
Dr. Meter Soil Moisture Sensor Meter
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Soil
Hoya linearis is an epiphytic plant. In particular, they often grow on trees for support rather than into regular soil. Considering their nature, you will understand why hoyas would not suit well in heavy soil. Moreso, it won’t be much pleased to get its roots drenched in water for a long time either.
Instead, hoya linearis thrive best in a well-draining organic compost. An equal ratio of cactus soil, orchid bark, and perlite mixed altogether is a good medium for hoya. This potting mix is lightweight, fast-draining, and provides ample of gaps for aeration.
Our top picks for potting soil substrates:
The Next Gardener Professional Grower Mix Soil
Orchiata New Zealand Pinus Radiata Bark
Clear Pots Rexius Douglas Fir Bark for Orchids
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Lighting
Hoya linearis loves to be in bright yet filtered lighting. So, when placed outdoors, make sure it sits under a shaded spot where it is shielded from direct sunlight. This is necessary because the intense heat from the sun can burn the plant.
In an indoor setting, though, the best spot you can place your hoya is near an east or northern-facing window. These areas tend to give you good amounts of light but not too harsh to cause sunburn.
If you’re having trouble looking for the right spot, or your space just ain’t got enough sunlight, you can use artificial lighting instead. Grow lamps are the perfect alternative to sunlight. The right combination of color temperature and intensity will provide your hoya the light it needs to thrive even in indoors.
Our top picks for grow lamps:
Vivosun T5 HO Fluorescent Grow Light
Hydrofarm Agrobrite T5 Fluorescent Grow Light
Garpsen Full Spectrum T5 LED Grow Light
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Temperature
In general, the hoya linearis flourishes best in a grow area with a temperature range between 60°F to 85°F. This kind of plant is naturally accustomed to high-altitudes in the wild. Thus, they can fairly tolerate slightly cooler nighttime temperatures.
However, make sure though not to let it drop further below 50°F. Otherwise, your plant may suffer untoward chill damage. Signs of this may include growth stunting and abrupt falling of the leaves. On that note, you have to avoid placing your plant near aircon vents or drafty areas.
It would be wise as well to have a thermometer device on hand. This simple tool allows you to conveniently keep track of the changes in the temperature within your grow space.
Our top picks for thermometers:
Vivosun Digital Indoor Thermometer & Hygrometer
ThermoPro Digital Indoor Room Thermometer
Springfield Vertical Thermometer & Hygrometer
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Humidity
Hoya linearis enjoys moderate to high levels of humidity. In particular, it thrives best within the range of 50% to 70% moisture.
As an epiphyte, it naturally gathers its moisture from the surrounding air high up above the tree. But in an indoor setting, the confined and slightly damp space in the bathroom seems to be the perfect spot for this hoya plant. This is especially applicable during the cold winter season.
Although, it is still possible to put it someplace else other than the bathroom. So long as the humidity is being maintained at a suitable level. The easiest and most convenient way to promote humidity is through misting. Spraying your hoya linearis with plain water from time to time helps to moisten its immediate surrounding. See to it to use a fine-mist spray to give you better control over the amount of water you spritz your plant.
You can also use humidifiers inside a designated grow room or tent. But, you should know that it is not likely favorable for an indoor home setting. You see, the ideal humidity level inside the house is around 30% to 50%. Anything above that can already cause all sorts of structural and health problems. This includes molds and mildew, paint peeling, warping of floors, and more.
Our top picks for fine-mist garden sprayers:
T Tovia Automatic Electric Garden Sprayer
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Fertilizers
Hoya linearis are not heavy feeders. Although it would also be beneficial to give it a little boost of essential nutrients to further support its growth and development.
In this case, you can use all-purpose balanced fertilizers. Make sure to prepare accordingly as recommended by the manufacturer. Other growers also suggest diluting it at half-strength to ensure you won’t overfeed. You can apply this once or twice a month during its active growth in the spring and summer seasons.
When your hoya is about to bloom, you can switch then to a phosphorus-rich fertilizer. Phosphorus is one of the major nutrients in plant foods. Its main function is to support energy transfer and convert nutrients into usable forms. Thus, it is vital for the plant’s overall health, especially during its flowering phase.
Our top picks for fertilizers:
Schultz All Purpose Water Soluble Plant Food
JR Peters Jack’s Classic All Purpose Fertilizer
Schultz Bloom Plus Water Soluble Plant Food
Jack’s Classic Bloom Booster Water Soluble Plant Food
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Maintenance
Most people prefer their hoya linearis to grow large and bushy. Although, you can also trim your plant especially when its trail has grown quite too long for your liking. Pruning is also a good chance for you to cut out those unhealthy or dead parts. When pruning, make sure to trim back to its node. Never cut the peduncle where the flowers grow into.
A key thing to remember when pruning is to use sharp and sterile garden shears. It is important to keep the blades sharp to create clean cuts. Thus, making it less traumatic for your plant. Moreover, it is also equally important to disinfect your scissors every after use. This prevents cross-contamination of diseases from one plant to another.
Repotting is also another part of your maintenance. Hoya linearis though loves to be slightly root bounded thus needs infrequent repottings.
The ideal time to repot is when you already see a bunch of roots circling around the base. To give it more room to further grow, transfer it to a new container that is a few centimeters larger. Repotting should be done during early springtime.
Our top picks for pruning shears:
Fiskars Steel Pruning Bypass Shears
Felco Classic Manual Hand Pruner
Wrapping Up about Hoya Linearis
There you go! Those factors above are the basic considerations when growing the hoya linearis plant. As you know by now, they are not as complicated as others think it is. So long as you follow our tips, you can assure that your hoya plant will grow happy and lively.