Botanical Name: Hoya carnosa Common Name(s): Porcelain Flower, Wax Plant, Honey Plant Description: Porcelain flower or wax plant is a commonly grown houseplant. It has long slender vines covered with waxy, deep green leathery leaves sometimes flecked with silver or creamy white. To make this plant appear denser, wrap its sparsely leaved stems around a bamboo trellis and secure with florist tape or nylon stocking strips. Bright indirect light year-round is ideal. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Wax plants love high humidity and the foliage appreciates misting. The flowers are star-shaped, in parachute-shaped clusters, with a sweet fragrance and may produce a sticky sap. *Limit 2 Per Customer* ✓ Carefully packed live plant · ✓ Ships across the United States · ✓ 48-hour live-arrival guaranteeNatural variation expected with live plants Botanical Label Common name: Hoya Carnosa Botanical name: Hoya Carnosa Pot size: 4" or 6" nursery pot (choose at checkout) Light: Bright, indirect (more light = more likely to bloom); no harsh midday sun Water: when the soil has dried out — Hoyas like to dry between waterings. Difficulty: Beginner-friendly — easy as long as you don't overwater. Growth style: Trailing / climbing vine (epiphyte). Mature size: Vines can trail several feet over time — can vary by growing conditions. Lifespan: Can live for many years with regular care — varies by growing conditions. Pet safety: Pet-friendly — considered non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). As with any plant, discourage pets from nibbling. Best for: Hanging baskets, shelves, bright windowsills, and small trellises. Vibe/personality: Trailing, waxy-leaved, and rewarding when it blooms. Curator's Note: Hoya Carnosa is a collector's quiet favorite — thick, waxy leaves that trail beautifully and, with patience, reward you with clusters of star-shaped flowers. Easygoing and long-lived, it only gets better with time. Continue the Collection Browse more Hoyas → Explore pet-friendly plants → Browse all live plants → Why It Belongs in Your Collection Thick, waxy, almost succulent leaves Trails beautifully from shelves and hanging baskets Can reward you with clusters of star-shaped, often fragrant flowers Forgiving and low-fuss as long as you don't overwater Easy to propagate from cuttings Care Notes from the Greenhouse Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal — the more bright (indirect) light it gets, the more likely it is to bloom. A little gentle morning sun is fine, but avoid harsh, direct midday sun. Watering: Let the soil dry out between waterings — Hoyas store water in their thick, waxy leaves and dislike staying wet, so err on the drier side to avoid root rot. Water less in winter. Humidity: Appreciates higher humidity but adapts well to average household humidity. Temperature: Warm room temperatures (about 65–85°F). Keep it away from cold drafts and vents. Soil: A chunky, very well-draining mix (orchid bark with perlite, or a cactus/aroid mix) — Hoyas are epiphytes and hate soggy soil. Fertilizer: Feed lightly with a balanced houseplant fertilizer in spring and summer; pause in winter. Pruning: Trim to shape, but don't remove the old flower spurs (peduncles) — Hoyas rebloom from the same spurs year after year. Care tip: If it won't bloom, give it more bright, indirect light and be patient — and leave those flower spurs intact. Best Display Spots Bright windowsill (east-facing): gentle morning light helps it bloom. Hanging basket: shows off its trailing, waxy vines. Shelf where vines can trail: a lush, living curtain. Small trellis or hoop: train it to climb. Bright bathroom: enjoys a little extra humidity. Best For / Think Twice If Best for: Hoya and wax-plant fans Bright spots and sunny windowsills People who like trailing plants and eventual flowers Anyone who tends to underwater (Hoyas forgive dry spells) Think twice if: Very dark rooms — it likely won't bloom People who tend to overwater — Hoyas rot in soggy soil Anyone wanting instant flowers (blooming takes maturity and patience) Spots with harsh, all-day direct sun Botanical Exhibit Notes Hoyas are nicknamed "wax plants" for their thick, glossy leaves and "porcelain flower" for their star-shaped, often fragrant blooms. They're epiphytes — in the wild they grow on trees across tropical Asia and the Pacific, clinging with their roots rather than rooting in soil. Hoyas bloom from spurs called peduncles and rebloom from the same spurs — so it's best not to cut the old flower stalks. Considered non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA), so they're a pet-friendly choice. With good light and a little patience, mature Hoyas reward you with waxy, scented flower clusters — though blooming can vary by plant and conditions. Shipped Fresh from Florida to Your Home Florida Plant ships across the United States. Your plant ships from Florida and California, USA, carefully packed in its nursery pot with soil unless noted. Orders dispatch within 1–4 business days, early in the week so plants don't sit over a weekend in transit. During cold weather, orders to colder areas are sent with a heat pack, and we may hold delivery to very cold areas until it's safe to ship. Every plant is backed by our 48-hour live-arrival guarantee — contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos if there's an issue. Because this is a live plant, each one is unique — size, fullness, color, and shape vary naturally, and minor cosmetic imperfections can happen. Give your plant a little time to settle in after it arrives. Plant Questions, Answered How often should I water Hoya Carnosa?Water when the soil has dried out — Hoyas like to dry between waterings. It prefers to dry out a little between waterings rather than stay soggy. What kind of light does Hoya Carnosa need?Bright, indirect light is ideal — the more bright (indirect) light it gets, the more likely it is to bloom. A little gentle morning sun is fine, but avoid harsh, direct midday sun. Is Hoya Carnosa pet safe?Yes — Hoyas (wax plants) are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA), a popular pet-friendly choice. As with any plant, it's best to discourage pets from chewing the leaves. Why won't my Hoya Carnosa bloom?Hoyas need plenty of bright, indirect light and some maturity to bloom — and they rebloom from the same flower spurs, so don't cut those off. More light and patience usually help; blooming can still vary by plant and conditions.
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