Hoya Linearis - Plant Care Guide
Table of Contents
- Light Requirements
- Watering
- Soil
- Temperature and Humidity
- Fertilizing
- How to Propagate Hoya Linearis
- Common Pests and Diseases
- Hoya Linearis - Toxicity to Cats
- The Bottom Line
Hoya linearis is quite an unusual type of hoya because of its leaf shape. Rather than having waxy, thick leaves, Hoya linearis has long vines with soft and downy leaves. Still, a lot of its care requirements are very similar to other types of hoyas. So, how exactly do you take care of this specific hoya type?
Light Requirements
Hoya linearis light requirements are pretty straightforward - as long as it's placed within bright, indirect sunlight, it should be more than fine. Hoyas are tropical plants growing natively within rainforests of Southeast Asia, where they are covered from the sun by tree leaves, so for them to thrive, the light conditions you’re providing should resemble the ones they get in their natural habitat.
Watering
Hoyas are typically very forgiving when it comes to watering, but there are some varieties that have higher watering requirements, and Hoya linearis is one of them. Still, despite the fact that it likes water, it should not be left in a wet medium, as that can result in root rot.
It’s important that you make sure your plant is ready to receive more water. A very easy way to do it is by checking the top of the soil - if it's wet, hold off the watering.
Soil
Since this plant enjoys more frequent watering than other types of Hoyas, it’s important to use soil that retains some moisture, but is still well-draining enough to not cause root rot.
There are many options specifically for hoyas to choose from, but if you already have a regular potting mix, that can be used as well, as long as it is mixed with things like perlite and orchid bark to improve the drainage.
Temperature and Humidity
Hoya linearis enjoys being kept in colder temperatures, as it is native to the Himalayas. As for humidity, just like other types of hoyas, they enjoy higher levels of humidity. If your home is naturally dry, we would definitely recommend using a humidifier to increase the humidity level to ensure your Hoya linearis provides you with beautiful and plentiful blooms.
Fertilizing
While hoyas don’t mind being fertilized, you shouldn’t do it too often. Fertilizing them once a month with a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to about half its strength during their growing season (spring and summer) will be more than enough.
How to Propagate Hoya Linearis
Propagating Hoya linearis requires only a few steps, but it can help you grow your hoya collection tremendously within just a few weeks. Here’s how to do it:
- Choose the right stem - The perfect stem for propagation will have at least three nodes - once you find it, you can remove it from its mother plant using sharp pruning shears or scissors. Remove the leaves from it, leaving only the ones at the top.
- Place your cutting in water or soil - Once your cutting is ready, you can place it either in water or directly in the soil. When picking the former, however, remember to place it in a way that will keep the leaves above the surface and replace the water it is in weekly.
- Wait for it to grow - Your cutting should start growing roots a few weeks after planting. Make sure that you take care of your cutting the same way you would of an adult hoya plant. Once your water-placed cutting develops roots about 1 or 2 inches long, you can move it to a well-draining soil.
Common Pests and Diseases
Hoyas are generally resistant to a number of common plant issues, but they can sometimes experience mealybugs and scale insect infestation. In those cases, it’s important to treat it as soon as possible, as you might find yourself with a bigger problem once it starts spreading to your other houseplants.
Overwatering is also a common hoya issue, as since they’re semi-succulent, they store some of their water in their leaves. However, checking the soil before watering should fix this issue.
Hoya Linearis - Toxicity to Cats
Generally speaking, no, Hoya linearis is not toxic to cats. However, ingesting it might cause some discomfort for your cats, so you should try to keep it somewhere they will not be able to reach it. Not to mention that pots can always accidentally break, especially with a pet around, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
The Bottom Line
Taking care of a hoya plant might seem challenging at first, but most of them have very similar requirements, so as long as you master caring for one hoya type, you should be more than able to take care of the rest. Hopefully, after this guide, you’ll know all about Hoya linearis care.
