Wax plant (porcelain flower) Hoya carnosa
Wax plant (porcelain flower) (Hoya carnosa) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Apocynaceae family, native to Southern China, Taiwan, southern Japan, South-east Asia and Queensland. It grows 1–6 m (3.3–20 ft) tall and 50 cm–2 m (20 in–6.6 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and low water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
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Wax plant (porcelain flower) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Mature height | 1–6 m (3.3–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50 cm–2 m (20 in–6.6 ft) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–313 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southern China, Taiwan, southern Japan, South-east Asia and Queensland |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇧🇷 Brazil |
Is Wax plant (porcelain flower) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous to cats or dogs (ASPCA).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Wax plant (porcelain flower)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and low water.
Questions about Wax plant (porcelain flower)
- How far apart should I plant Wax plant (porcelain flower)?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50 cm–2 m (20 in–6.6 ft).
- Does Wax plant (porcelain flower) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Wax plant (porcelain flower) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Wax plant (porcelain flower)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Wax plant (porcelain flower) flower?
- About 156–313 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Wax plant (porcelain flower) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous to cats or dogs (ASPCA).
- What grows well with Wax plant (porcelain flower)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Wax plant (porcelain flower). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- A tropical plant: outdoors only in frost-free, humid climates; elsewhere a houseplant for bright, indirect light that likes warmth and humidity and hates cold draughts.
- A twining climber with thick, waxy leaves and round clusters of star-shaped flowers that look like porcelain, pale pink with a red centre, sweetly scented at night. Do not cut off the old flower spurs: new flowers come from the same ones each year.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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