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Hoya Linearis is a little bit different from other popular hoyas, but I mean that in the most loving way possible 🙂 Read on to learn all about the unique Linearis—how to care for and propagate this beauty and other essential tips!
Where can I buy a Hoya Linearis?
You can easily find a Hoya Linearis for sale on Etsy! Check out this gorgeous Hoya from one of my favorite Etsy shops.
Is Hoya Linearis hard to grow?
Hoyas can be somewhat tricky in general, but like any plant, it’s all about getting the hang of it.
While Hoya Linearis is not a super difficult plant, I wouldn’t recommend it for people just starting with houseplants. Also, larger specimens of this plant can be pricy, which is another reason why I wouldn’t recommend it as a beginner plant.
How do you care for a Hoya Linearis?
Hoya Linearis is an epiphyte native to the Himalayas. An epiphyte grows on the surface of another plant (usually a tree) but without harming it.
It gets a lot of its nutrients and moisture from its surroundings, rather than getting it all from its roots in the ground.
Its basic care requirements are the following, but read on for a full guide and important tips!
- Provide with bright, indirect light
- Water when the top two inches of the potting mix are dry
- Use a well-draining, well-aerated potting mix that still holds a little bit of moisture
Hoya Linearis light requirements
Hoya Linearis prefers bright, indirect light. Too much direct light can damage the leaves, while too little light can lead to leggy and sad-looking growth.
If you’re wondering what the heck you’re supposed to do if your home doesn’t actually see any bright, indirect light, you’re in luck because I’m about to tell you how awesome grow lights are.
Grow lights are seriously PLANT LIFESAVERS. They have allowed me to keep so many more plants and so many different kinds of plants than I’d be able to otherwise.
Below is one of my absolute favorite sets of grow lights. The clip combined with the two easily repositioned gooseneck lights are SO convenient.
How often should I water my Hoya Linearis?
The question is not necessarily “how often”—you should never water your plants on a set schedule—but rather, how do you know when it’s time to water your plant. Water your Hoya Linearis when the top two inches of the potting mix are dry.
Your hoya shouldn’t completely dry out and shouldn’t be soaking wet for a long period of time, either.
While many other hoya species store water in their leaves and therefore like to dry out more in between waterings, Hoya Linearis has small, skinny leaves and does not store as much water. Therefore, they’ll need water a little more frequently.
Hoya Linearis Soil
Hoya Linearis likes a well-draining and well-aerated potting mix that can still hold onto a little bit of moisture. This is because it’s an epiphyte, so it’s used to growing in a loose, airy medium, but it also doesn’t like to totally dry out.
This doesn’t have to be complicated. A few ways to accomplish this mixture are by using a houseplant potting mix with some perlite and orchid bark, or a succulent/cacti mix with some additional perlite to increase the drainage and loosen it up.
Repotting
Hoya Linearis does not like to be disturbed. It thrives when rootbound, but as with any plant, there comes a point where it’s TOO rootbound and needs to be repotted.
Its roots grow pretty slowly, so you’ll only need to repot it every few years at the most frequent. Seriously, don’t be in a rush to repot this one.
When you’re repotting, choose a pot the next size up and make sure it has a drainage hole. Try to leave your repotting to the growing season (the spring and summer).
Pruning
Hoya Linearis does not necessarily need to be pruned, but if you want to give your hoya a haircut, you can cut it back. This can also help encourage new growth. Also, you should remove any dead/dying leaves.
An important note that goes for all hoyas—don’t remove the peduncles (where your hoya blooms)! They bloom from these same peduncles each time. If you remove one, your hoya will lose its ability to bloom in that area.
Buy a gorgeous Hoya Linearis here!
Foliage and Flowering
Hoya Linearis has small, thin, fuzzy, needle-like leaves on long strands that hang down from the pot. It’s commonly grown in a hanging basket where its long strands can gracefully cascade down from.
It also blooms those famous star-shaped flowers that other hoyas do. The Linearis flowers are white with yellow centers and have a wonderful, sweet smell.
You can’t really force your hoya to bloom, and if yours never blooms it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong! There are a few ways you can increase the likelihood of seeing flowers on your hoya, though.
- First, you have to have a mature hoya. A baby plant won’t bloom. Your hoya will need to be at least a couple years old.
- Don’t skimp on the light. Ensure it receives plenty of bright, indirect light.
- Allow it to be rootbound (which it likes, anyway).
- Remember, DON’T remove the peduncles!
Fertilizing
Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half-strength, once a month during the growing season (the spring and summer). It’s important to never overdo fertilizing your plant, which could cause serious damage.
Temperature
Hoya Linearis prefers warmer temperatures, however, being native to the Himilayas, it can tolerate some cooler temperatures.
Just don’t let it get below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (about 10 degrees Celsius). Your average indoor temperatures will be fine.
Humidity
This Hoya does appreciate some extra humidity. While there are a few ways to provide extra humidity to your houseplants, my favorite is by using a humidifier.
It’s a low-maintenance method and it can help many plants at once. Below is my favorite humidifier because it lasts SO long—up to 96 hours!
I also have a post on even more ways to provide humidity to your houseplants.
Hoya Linearis Propagation
Although it may take a while for roots to develop, the process of propagating Hoya Linearis is actually quite easy!
- Use a pair of clean scissors to snip off a few healthy vines and cut them into pieces each a few inches long
- Make sure each piece has at LEAST one node and a set of leaves (the node is where leaves and roots grow out of the stem)
- Stick the cuttings into moisted potting mix so at least one node is buried in the potting mix. You might have to snip off a little more stem below the node if there’s too much stem on the bottom of the cutting.
- Provide the cuttings with bright, indirect light, warmth, and humidity.
- Don’t let the potting mix dry out—moisten it again when the top inch or so starts to get dry.
- Remember, since the cuttings are so short, if you let the potting mix dry out too far down, the part of the mix that’s touching the cuttings will be completely dry!
- It will take a while for roots to form and grow significantly (this is true with a mature plant, anyway. They have very slow-growing root systems). However, you’ll soon notice new foliage starting to grow.
Common Hoya Linearis Problems
Some common Hoya Linearis problems with their potential causes include:
- Leaf drop – This can be caused by an extreme temperature shift or by overwatering your plant.
- Leggy stems – Legginess is caused by lack of enough light. The stems will grow long and stretched-out but with fewer leaves. The plant is trying to “reach out” for more light.
- Shriveled/wrinkly leaves – Your plant is very dry and needs a drink! Hoya Linearis’s small leaves store SOME water, but really not that much, so if its leaves are shriveled that means it’s REALLY dry! Once you water it, the leaves should “fill” back up.
- Yellow leaves – Yellow leaves can be caused by many things, but overwatering, too much light, or underwatering are the most common causes.
- Root rot – Root rot is caused by overwatering—the EASIEST way to kill a plant! Essentially, you’ve drowned and killed the roots, so the plant will start to die as well. If you catch root rot early enough, your plant has a chance of surviving. Check out my root rot post for more help!
- Pests – Mealybugs and aphids are two common pests to watch out for with the Hoya Linearis (and lots of other hoyas). For general pest prevention and control, I really like Bonide Systemic Houseplant Instect Control. I used it on all new plants that come into my home.
With all of these problems, it’s important to observe your plant’s surroundings to help determine what’s actually the cause.
For example, is a plant sitting in a dark corner and clearly not receiving enough light? Or, feel the potting mix. Is it still sopping wet a week after you’ve watered it?
Taking a look at your plant’s surroundings will help you to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem.
Additional Information
Growth rate and size
Although Hoya Linearis’ roots grow very slowly, the foliage can actually grow relatively fast if provided with optimal conditions. The plant itself can grow upwards of six feet long!
Is Hoya Linearis the same as string of needles?
Nope—they are not the same plant, although they do look extremely similar. Hoya Linearis is in the genus Hoya while Ceropegia Linearis, the scientific name for string of needles, is in the genus Ceropegia.
Is Hoya Linearis rare?
The Hoya Linearis was rare at one point, but these days it’s relatively easy to find online. However, I will say that large Linearis specimens can get pretty pricey, even though they’re not necessarily hard to find.
Is the Hoya Linearis toxic?
Technically, the Hoya Linearis is non-toxic, but it does have a sap that can cause irritation. It’s best to keep all plants out of pets’ reach regardless.
Convinced this is your new favorite plant? Buy a Hoya Linearis here!
Hoya Linearis Care Summary
- Provide with bright, indirect light
- Water when the top two inches of the potting mix are dry
- Use a well-draining, well-aerated potting mix that still holds a little bit of moisture
- Allow it to be root bound. Repot it every few years at the most frequent
- Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half-strength, once a month during the growing season
- Provide it with warm temperatures, but it can tolerate some cooler temperatures
- Provide it with humidity
More Hoya Posts
Huge thanks to @3littlefaces_mum and @magda.kwa for allowing me to include their GORGEOUS photos in this post!
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