Hoya globulosa ‘Long Leaf’

Care for the long, hairy leaves

Support the stems on a trellis and allow space around the long leaves for gentle airflow. Keep ‘Long Leaf’ in bright filtered light, shielded from hot sun and cold draughts. About 18–24°C and 40–60% relative humidity are suitable indoors.

Use an airy mix in a pot with drainage holes. Water when the pot is lighter and the deeper mix is lightly moist, then soak and drain the roots. With slower growth, allow the mix to become fairly dry before watering again, without drying the entire root ball.

Use all-purpose fertiliser at 25–50% of label strength during new growth, no more often than the label recommends and using plain water between feeds. Pause when growth stops. Repot one size larger when roots crowd the container. Read the fresh mix’s label for added fertiliser and follow its feeding instructions.

Root a one- or two-node cutting in lightly moist sphagnum, loosely packed in a pot with drainage holes. Use a clean blade and wear gloves, as the sap can irritate skin. Remove lower leaves and keep the remaining foliage above the moss. Provide warmth, indirect light and humid air. Ventilate any cover and keep it off the leaves; pot into airy mix once rooted.

Mite damage and water stress on the hairy leaves

• New pale speckling (stippling) with fine webbing: Use magnification to check among the hairs and on the undersides of damaged leaves; tapping a leaf over white paper can help locate mites. Confirm spider mites before treatment. Isolate the plant, gently rinse both leaf surfaces and let water drain. Recheck every few days and repeat rinsing while live mites remain.
• Leaves become limp or yellow while the mix stays wet: 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.

Hoya globulosa ‘Long 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.

The meaning and history of Hoya globulosa

Hoya honours the English gardener Thomas Hoy. Globulosa refers to the rounded flower cluster.

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

Richard Dean first described Hoya globulosa in 1880 in The Floral Magazine (London), new series, volume 9, issue 102, plate 406; Joseph Dalton Hooker had proposed the name.