Does it need direct sun?

It prefers bright, indirect light and can get scorched in harsh, direct sun.

How often should I water it?

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, but be careful not to let it sit in soggy soil.

Plant guide

Wax vine.

Hoya linearis

Pronounced HOY-uh lin-ee-AIR-iss

Hoya carnosa — Photo by Takaaki Hattori (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This unique Hoya features long, slender, fuzzy leaves that hang down in beautiful, cascading stems. It is a lovely choice for a hanging basket where its delicate foliage can really shine. You will love how it looks when it produces clusters of fragrant, star shaped flowers.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Epiphytic trailing vine
Light: Bright, indirect light is best to keep the stems full and healthy.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: Stems can reach 3 to 5 feet long.
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late summer to early autumn

Care

Keep this plant in a spot with high humidity and avoid letting it sit in soggy soil. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the plant is getting too much water. It prefers to dry out slightly between waterings to keep its roots happy.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long stems in early spring if you want to encourage a bushier shape.
Repotting: Only repot when the plant becomes root bound, as Hoyas prefer a snug fit.
Soil: Well draining, airy potting mix with orchid bark or perlite.
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 15 to 27°C
Humidity: 60 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: The plant contains milky sap that can cause mild irritation if it touches the skin or eyes.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of small children, as the stems are fragile and the sap is irritating if ingested or touched.
Contact allergens: The milky latex sap may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The flowers produce a strong fragrance that might bother those with sensitivities to floral scents.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should be kept away from food preparation areas.

How to identify it

Long, thin, needle like leaves
Fuzzy leaf texture
Cascading, pendulous growth habit
Clusters of white, fragrant flowers

Height: 0.3 to 1.5m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.4m
Leaves: green, pale green, evergreen
Flowers: white, cream, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

Mealybugs · These small white insects hide in the crevices of the stems and suck sap from the plant.
Root rot · Overwatering or poor drainage leads to decaying roots and yellowing foliage.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant in a bright spot away from cold drafts or heating vents. Reduce watering slightly during the cooler months when growth slows down.
In containers: It is an excellent choice for hanging baskets, which allow its long, trailing stems to drape gracefully.

Stem Cuttings

1. Take a 10 cm cutting from a healthy stem.
2. Remove the lower leaves to expose the nodes.
3. Place the cutting in water or moist perlite.
4. Keep in a warm, bright spot until roots appear.
5. Pot into a well draining soil mix.

Group this plant with other humidity loving species to create a microclimate that helps maintain consistent moisture levels.

Grows well with

Orchids · They share similar epiphytic growing requirements and light preferences.
Ferns · Ferns enjoy the same high humidity levels that this Hoya thrives in.

Similar species

Wax Plant · It is a much more common, robust relative with thicker, waxy leaves.
String of Needles · It shares a similar trailing habit and thin foliage appearance.

Science

Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Hoya
Order: Gentianales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Himalayas, China, and parts of Southeast Asia
Conservation: This species is increasingly rare in its native habitat due to deforestation and over collection.

It grows as an epiphyte in high altitude forests, clinging to tree branches where it receives dappled light and high humidity.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: moths
Uses: hanging basket plant, indoor ornamental

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need direct sun?: It prefers bright, indirect light and can get scorched in harsh, direct sun.
How often should I water it?: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, but be careful not to let it sit in soggy soil.

Where the name comes from

The genus Hoya honors the English gardener Thomas Hoy, while the specific epithet linearis refers to the plant's long, thin, linear leaves.

Good to know

It is native to the Himalayan region.
The flowers have a lovely lemon like scent.
It prefers cooler temperatures than many other tropical Hoyas.
The stems can grow quite long, making it perfect for hanging baskets.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 28, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.