Porcelainflower Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Porcelainflower

Scientific classification
Genus:	Hoya
Species:	carnosa

The Hoya carnosa, also known as the porcelainflower or wax plant, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the dogbane family, called Apocynaceae. This plant is one of many Hoya species that grow naturally in Eastern Asia and Australia.

People often grow the wax plant as a house plant. They love its shiny, waxy leaves and its sweet-smelling flowers. It grows very well in pots and hanging baskets. The Hoya carnosa has been grown by people for over 200 years. Many different types, called cultivars, have been created from it. These types have different leaf shapes or flower colors. In the UK, this plant has even won an award called the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

About the Wax Plant
- Flowers of the Wax Plant
Where the Wax Plant Grows
How to Grow a Wax Plant
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About the Wax Plant

The Hoya carnosa grows slightly succulent stems. This means its stems can store water, just like a cactus. These stems are smooth, pale gray, and can twine or climb around things.

Its leaves stay on the plant all year round. They have short stems, about 1 to 1.5 cm long. The leaf itself can be wide oval, long oval, or even heart-shaped. The leaves feel a bit fleshy and have a waxy, shiny surface. They are usually 3 to 5 cm wide and 3.5 to 13 cm long.

Flowers of the Wax Plant

The beautiful Hoya carnosa flower

The flowers of the Hoya carnosa grow in groups called an umbel. There are many flowers in each group, and they can hang down or stand upright. The flowers are usually light pink, but they can be almost white or a darker pink. They are shaped like stars and look like tiny models made of wax.

The surface of each flower is covered in tiny hairs. This makes them look fuzzy and shiny. These flowers have a very strong, sweet smell. They might even produce extra nectar that drips from them! Each flower is about 1.5 to 2 cm wide and is whitish or light pink.

Like all Hoya plants, H. carnosa flowers grow from special parts called spurs. These spurs appear where the leaves meet the stem. New flowers grow from these same spurs every year. So, it's important not to damage or remove them.

The plant blooms from spring until late summer. One group of flowers can have 10 to 50 small star-shaped flowers. These flowers open slowly over 2 to 3 weeks on the same stem. The sweet smell of the flowers is strongest at night.

Where the Wax Plant Grows

You can find the Hoya carnosa in many places. It grows in Queensland, East India, and in southern China. It is also found in Taiwan, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Malaysia. In Japan, it grows on the islands of Kyushu and Ryukyu.

This plant likes to grow in humid subtropical forests. It also lives on the Fiji Islands.

How to Grow a Wax Plant

The Hoya carnosa likes bright light, but it can also grow in less bright places. It can handle cool temperatures, but it does not like to freeze. The best temperature for it is between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 30 degrees Celsius).

You can grow new plants from an existing one in a few ways. One way is called air layering. Another way is by taking stem cuttings. The plant likes soil that lets air get to its roots. Good soil mixes often include things like perlite, pumice, or ceramic balls. You should also feed your plant regularly with a plant food made for plants that grow on other plants.

Some people believe that Hoya plants like to be "potbound." This means keeping them in a small pot. They think this helps the plant flower faster.

Scientists at the University of Georgia studied the H. carnosa in 2009. They found that it is very good at cleaning the air inside homes. It can remove harmful things from the air, making your home healthier!