Hoya Linearis Plant Guide

The Hoya Linearis is an interesting and exotic houseplant that makes a great addition to any home. It can be grown outdoors in the right conditions but is much better suited to be grown indoors.

This evergreen perennial is one of the rarest species in the Hoya genus and also one of the hardest to grow and care for. However, you can keep it healthy and thriving, providing you look after it right.

We teach you how to do that in this guide to the Hoya Linearis plant, which includes lots of helpful information and advice.

What is Hoya Linearis?

The Hoya Linearis is a beautiful succulent that is part of the Apocynaceae family. This plant is native to the tropical areas of the Himalayas in Asia and prefers similar climatic conditions when grown outdoors. Although reasonably rare, it can grow perfectly well indoors and is excellent as a houseplant.

This plant matures in three to five years. It gets its name from its linear leaves which are long and thin with smooth edges. They can also be hairy or fuzzy. Hoya Linearis can bloom flowers that are white, star-shaped, and have a lemony scent.

A well-looked after Hoya Linearis will look magnificent hanging almost anywhere in any home.

Hoya Linearis Plant Overview

• Botanical/Scientific Name: Hoya linearis
• Common Names: wax plant, porcelain flower
• Family: Apocynaceae
• Genus: Hoya
• Other Classifications: Indoor, Flowering Plant, Succulent, Evergreen, Perennial, Vine

How to Propagate and Grow Hoya Linearis

You can buy established Hoya Linearis from some garden centers and online nurseries, but they are not widely available in all parts of the world. It’s easier to find cuttings and propagate them yourself at home, and that’s the course of action we suggest.

Planting Hoya Linearis from seeds is also an option, but we recommend using cuttings for the best results.

Below we detail the basic requirements and optimal conditions for growing Hoya Linearis. We also explain how to take your own cuttings if you already have a Hoya Linearis and how to use those cuttings (or purchased ones) for propagation.

Taking Hoya Linearis Cuttings

When you take cuttings from a Hoya Linearis, you’ll likely notice a white, milky sap leak out. This sap won’t harm you in small amounts, but you should still wash your hands after coming into contact with it.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to taking Hoya Linearis cuttings.

• Sterilize a sharp knife or pair of scissors.
• Cut a piece of stem from a healthy plant, ensuring that there are at least two nodes on the part of the stem you cut. A node is where a leaf joins the stem.
• Carefully remove the leaves from the lowest node.
• Dip the cutting into water and then a rooting hormone. This is an optional but recommended step.

Planting Hoya Linearis from Cuttings

Here’s how to plant your Hoya Linearis cuttings. We’ve explained the process using soil propagation, which we recommend, but water propagation is also an option.

• Choose a pot to use. A small pot is best as Hoya Linearis does not like being over-potted.
• Fill the pot with your chosen soil or potting mix, which can be almost anything as long as it’s well-draining. We recommend bonsai soil or an all-purpose potting mix with added perlite.
• Insert the cutting into the soil or potting mix so that the bottom node is just underneath the surface. It’s fine to add multiple cuttings into one pot as long as you space them around one centimeter or half an inch apart.
• Water the pot gently so that the soil or potting mix is damp without being completely wet.
• Place the pot in a location where it will get plenty of indirect light.
• Water at regular intervals to prevent the soil from drying out completely.
• New roots should start appearing within four weeks.

How to Care for Hoya Linearis

Here are some tips to help you care for your Hoya Linearis effectively.

General Care Tips

• Make sure you let your Hoya Linearis dry out between waterings.
• Water in the morning if possible, and avoid any standing water. Hoya Linearis do not like being overwatered.
• Use water at room temperature.
• Make sure your Hoya Linearis gets plenty of bright but indirect sunlight and some periods of darkness.
• If humidity is low, consider using a humidifier or misting your plant’s leaves.
• Do not let your Hoya Linearis experience temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit).

Tips for Repotting and Pruning Hoya Linearis

• Hoya Linearis only needs to be repotted every two or three years.
• When you do repot, make sure you use a pot that’s only slightly bigger than the previous one.
• Try to use the same soil or potting mix when repotting.
• Regular pruning will improve the appearance of your Hoya Linearis but shouldn’t be overdone.
• Use pruning shears or scissors to cut back any dead or dry stems and leaves whenever you notice them.
• Do not cut or remove the woody peduncles, as this will prevent flowers from blooming.

Tips for Fertilizing Hoya Linearis

• We recommend fertilizing Hoya Linearis twice a month during the growing season (spring to summer).
• You don’t need to fertilize Hoya Linearis at all during the fall and winter. Limit it to once a month if you choose to do so.
• A general-purpose fertilizer with a balanced ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium will work well. You can also use a succulent or cactus fertilizer.
• Water your Hoya Linearis before fertilizing to protect the roots from fertilizer burn.

Common Problems With Hoya Linearis

You should be able to maintain healthy and attractive Hoya Linearis if you follow our advice above. However, there are a few issues that may arise.

Here are some common problems with Hoya Linearis and what to do about them.

• Scorched leaves. This will likely be down to too much sun, not enough humidity, or both. Move your Hoya Linearis to a more shaded area, and start misting regularly.
• Wilting leaves. These indicate a lack of water or exposure to cold drafts. Try watering a little more frequently and relocate to avoid drafts if necessary.
• Yellow leaves. This is most likely due to excess watering or not enough drainage. If watering a little less doesn’t work, try repotting into a better draining pot and using soil or potting mix that dries more quickly.
• Lack of flowering. The most likely cause of this is a lack of light. Consider relocating your Hoya Linearis or putting it in direct sunlight for short bursts.
• Mealybugs. The succulent foliage of Hoya Linearis can attract mealybugs. If they appear, treat your plant with insecticidal soap.

Other Hoya Plants

There are many other plants in the Hoya genus that you might want to consider growing at home. Here are a few that we recommend.

Hoya Carnosa

There are several types of Hoya Carnosa that vary in foliage form or flower color. A selection of different types can make an excellent houseplant display.

Hoya Carnosa is a good choice for gardening beginners as it’s easy to grow and look after. It’s also tolerant of lower light levels than some other Hoyas.

Hoya Australis

Hoya Australis is a fast-growing vine that can reach up to 20 feet in length. The leaves are dark green, and the flowers are white with pink or red centers.

Although this Hoya is fairly easy to care for, it can be a challenge to get it to flower indoors.

Hoya Curtisii

This is a wonderful Hoya to grow if you’re looking for one that doesn’t take up too much space.

Hoya Cutisii is a trailing plant with small but dense spade-shaped leaves. It’s pretty unusual, and care is straightforward.

Hoya Kerrii

Commonly known as the Sweetheart Hoya, this plant features heart-shaped leaves. It’s a slow grower, but the results are well worth the wait.

This is one of the more flexible Hoyas as it works in hanging baskets, as a single-leaf plant, or as a climbing vine.

Check out more of our plant guides to discover other plants you may want to add to your garden or houseplant collection.