Hoya linearis guide
Hoya linearis, also called linearis, string bean hoya
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- When the top 2 cm (1 in) of soil is dry. It wants more water than most hoyas.
- Humidity
- 50% or higher
- Temperature
- 15 to 24°C (60 to 75°F). It likes cooler rooms.
- Soil
- Chunky mix of potting soil, orchid bark, and perlite
- Feeding
- Half-strength fertilizer monthly in spring and summer
- Pets
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Difficulty
- Fussy
- Mature size
- Vines trail or climb 1 to 3 m (3 to 10 ft)
- Propagation
- Stem cuttings with a node, rooted in water or moss
- Where to buy
- Plant shops
This page covers what makes hoya linearis different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the hoya care guide.
What it is
Hoya linearis does not look like a hoya. Its leaves are thin, soft, fuzzy, and round in cross section, like green pine needles. They hang in long, curtain-like strands. In late fall and winter, it blooms with small clusters of white, lemon-scented flowers at the vine tips. It comes from the Himalayas, where it grows in cool, misty forests.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| Linearis | Thin, fuzzy, needle-like | Soft needles in hanging strands |
| Hindu rope plant | Curled and crowded | Thick, curled, waxy leaves |
| Rhipsalis | Thin, smooth, cactus stems | Smooth, jointed stems, no fuzz |
Care differences
Linearis is the opposite of most hoyas. It wants:
- More water. Do not let it dry out all the way. Thin leaves cannot store much.
- More humidity. Dry air browns the needles.
- Cooler air. It struggles in hot rooms.
A bright bathroom or a spot near an east window with a humidifier suits it.
Grow it from a cutting
Cut a strand with several nodes. Lay it on moist sphagnum moss and keep it humid. Roots form in three to five weeks.
Buying it
Linearis is sold at plant shops and online. Look for green, fuzzy strands with no brown, dry sections. Brown strands near the soil often mean rot from soggy soil, while brown tips mean dry air.