Hoya crassipetiolata (long leaf form)

Home care for Hoya crassipetiolata (long leaf form)

During growth, water when the pot is lighter and the deeper mix remains lightly moist. Wet the full root ball and drain thoroughly through the pot’s holes. Use chunky mix, and allow it to become fairly dry between waterings when growth slows, without drying it completely.

Give the long-stemmed plant a trellis in bright indirect light, protected from hot sun. About 18–24°C and 40–60% relative humidity are suitable, with gentle airflow around the foliage.

Feed lightly with balanced orchid fertiliser about every two weeks while new growth develops, following the label; pause when it stops. Flush occasionally with plain water. Repot one size larger once roots fill the pot. Read the fresh mix’s label for added feed and instructions on when to resume fertilising.

Root a one- or two-node cutting in lightly moist sphagnum, loosely packed in a container with drainage holes. Use a clean blade and wear gloves, as the sap can irritate skin. Remove the lower leaves and keep the rest above the moss. Provide warmth, indirect light and humid air. Any cover should remain ventilated and clear of the foliage. Move the rooted cutting into a small pot of airy mix.

Common problems with Hoya crassipetiolata (long leaf form) and what to do

• Soft or yellowing leaves with persistently wet mix: Persistent wetness can damage roots. Drain trapped water and inspect roots if decline continues. If you find a small amount of root rot, use a clean, disinfected tool to cut the soft roots back to firm, healthy tissue. Throw away the rotten roots and old mix. Repot in fresh, airy mix, using a clean pot just large enough for the roots that remain. The pot must have drainage holes. If decay is widespread, save only healthy stem cuttings. Discard the plant if no healthy stems remain, and disinfect your tools afterwards.
• Long leaves lose firmness in a dry pot: Check whether the mix around the roots is dry. If the root ball is dry, water thoroughly and drain. If the leaves still wilt after watering, inspect the roots. Avoid repeated watering while the roots are still wet.
• Cottony insects at the stem–leaf junctions: Confirm mealybugs beneath the wax and isolate the plant. Remove visible insects with a damp swab or tweezers. Inspect sheltered leaf joints, stems, the pot and any support weekly, removing any mealybugs you find until none remain. If mealybugs persist, use a product approved for home use against mealybugs on indoor ornamental plants in your country. Follow the label for how much to use, where to apply it, when to repeat treatment and all safety precautions.

Hoya crassipetiolata (long leaf form) is non-toxic to people and pets

• This plant is non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
• Chewing a large amount can still cause an upset stomach.
• If a large amount is eaten and symptoms continue, contact a veterinarian or medical professional.

Why is it called Hoya crassipetiolata?

Hoya honours the English gardener Thomas Hoy. Crassipetiolata combines Latin crassus, meaning thick, with petiolatus, meaning petioled, referring to the robust leaf stalk.

Robert Brown established the genus Hoya in 1810 in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae, page 459.

Leonid Vladimirovich Averyanov, Van The Pham, and Tuan Anh Le first described Hoya crassipetiolata in 2017 in Turczaninowia, volume 20, issue 3, page 112.