Hoya finlaysonii ‘Round Leaf’

Origin of Hoya finlaysonii ‘Round Leaf’

Hoya finlaysonii ‘Round Leaf’ is a cultivated form of Hoya finlaysonii, although its exact horticultural origin is still unclear.

Hoya finlaysonii occurs naturally from southern Thailand to western Malesia.

A home-growing guide for Hoya finlaysonii ‘Round Leaf’

Give ‘Round Leaf’ a trellis in bright indirect light, shielded from hot sun. Aim for about 16–24 °C and 50–60% relative humidity with gentle airflow around the leaves.

Keep the roots lightly moist during growth in chunky, freely draining mix. Water when the pot is lighter and the deeper mix is only slightly damp, then soak and drain the whole root ball. When growth slows, allow it to become fairly dry between waterings without drying it completely.

Use balanced orchid fertiliser about every two weeks during new growth, at a modest dose; pause when it stops. Repot one size larger once roots fill the pot.

Choose healthy stem growth and take a clean cutting with one or two nodes. Remove the lower leaves and root a leafless node in lightly moist, loosely packed sphagnum in a pot with drainage holes. Keep the remaining leaves above the moss and provide warmth, indirect light and humid air. If you use a cover, keep it off the leaves and ventilate it. Transfer to airy mix once a healthy root system has formed.

Temperature: Move the plant away from any position that stays under 10 °C.

What to do when Hoya finlaysonii ‘Round Leaf’ looks unhealthy

• New dry, pale patches on the light-facing surface: Hot sun or a sudden increase in light can scorch leaves. Move the plant into bright, filtered light. If you later move it to a brighter position, introduce the stronger light gradually. Existing dry patches will not recover; retain healthy foliage.
• Rounded leaves lose firmness with dry mix: 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.
• Soft, yellowing foliage in 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.
• Cottony insects at the leaf joints: 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 finlaysonii ‘Round Leaf’ 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.

Hoya finlaysonii: name and meaning

Hoya honours the English gardener Thomas Hoy. Hoya finlaysonii honours Scottish naturalist George Finlayson.

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

Robert Wight first described Hoya finlaysonii in 1834 in Contributions to the Botany of India, page 38.