Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:07 pm
Hoya finlaysonii (Hoya EPC 317) is one of the species of wax plants that are commonly used in terrariums. Though they do not require much care, they do need careful handling to ensure that they stay healthy and beautiful in your home or office environment.
When you’re looking to add some tropical flair to your home or office, look no further than Hoya finlaysonii (Hoya EPC 317). This plant originates from the Philippines and grows with small glossy leaves on arched petioles, reaching about two feet in height. Hoya finlaysonii requires bright light and warm temperatures, making it an ideal addition to homes with Southwestern and tropical décor.
Hoya finlaysonii epc 317 is part of the family Apocynaceae and the genus Hoya, native to Southeast Asia and Oceania. The flowers on this hoya are either red or yellow in color, with the yellow variety known as Hoya finlaysonii variegata, having white streaking throughout its leaves as well as red flowers.
Hoya finlaysonii plants prefer partial shade and high humidity in order to thrive. The most common methods of propagating this plant include rhizome cuttings and leaf cuttings.
This guide will show you how to grow Finlayson’s hoya and how to care for it properly so that it can grow and thrive as your beautiful, year-round houseplant.
Origin and distribution
Hoya epc 317 is native to Malaysia. The plant can also be found growing in Assam, where it grows as an epiphyte on trees in moist forests. The branches are flattened and form a broad crown of leaves up to 15 inches long by 6 inches wide.
Hoya epc 317 blooms between October and December with small white flowers that are 1/4 inch wide with pointed tips and greenish-yellow centers. The filaments that hold each flower’s pollen have hair-like projections.
These plants grow well when they receive indirect sunlight or partial shade. They also do well in temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They need to be watered regularly, but care should be taken not to overwater them because they will rot if they stay wet for too long.
Hoya finlaysonii propagation
Hoya finlaysonii epc 317 is a very easy Hoya to propagate via air layering, which is an effective method for propagating Hoya and Cattleyas. Air layering involves gently peeling off part of a leaf and dipping it in rooting hormone before wrapping it around an object such as a pencil or cork.
The leaf will then eventually form roots that can be planted into the soil once they’ve grown large enough. If you don’t have access to the rooting hormone, you can use tape instead; just wrap a piece of tape around your chosen object so that there are two separate layers with some space between them.
Then place your leaf overtop and secure it with more tape. Check on your new plant regularly; if all goes well, you should see new growth within a few weeks! If you have trouble locating Hoya finlaysonii epc 317 seeds, try searching online for hoya horticultural society. They often offer rare species at reasonable prices.
Hoya finlaysonii care information
Hoya finlaysonii makes an excellent houseplant. The plant should be placed in a spot with plenty of sunlight, but out of strong direct sunlight. Hoya plants like high humidity and warm temperatures; in colder weather, you can increase both by placing your plant on a tray filled with pebbles and water.
Keep soil moist but not wet. Fertilize three times per year with a balanced fertilizer like Miracle Grow or Water Soluble Fertilizer applied at half strength.
Light requirement
Hoya epc 317 does best with medium to high light. On average, Hoya epc 317 should get 5 to 6 hours of sunlight each day. However, it’s important not to place your Hoya epc 317 in direct sunlight because it will dry out and burn. In addition, consider placing your Hoya epc 317 near a south-facing window.
Soil/potting mix
To start, get a pot that has plenty of drainages. Hoya epc 317 will do well in almost any soil or soilless mix. Make sure it is an evenly moist medium—you don’t want to leave your plant sitting in water.
If you are starting from cuttings, add a rooting hormone like Dip ‘n Grow or Super Thrive to help with propagation. Mix it up and wait for roots to appear at least 3 inches long before transplanting into their final home.
Watering
Hoya finlaysonii epc 317 plants require regular watering. If your hoya is receiving less than average light, you may need to water it twice a week. While some hoyas can survive on a diet of rainwater, those that are exposed to direct sunlight for most of their lives will grow faster and produce more blooms if watered regularly.
After you water your plant, make sure to wait until all soil is dry before watering again. This will ensure that your plant doesn’t get overwatered and die. It also helps prevent root rot. You should also avoid wetting leaves when watering, as they can become moldy or fall off with too much moisture.
Fertilizer
Giving your hoya plant fertilizer once a month will keep it happy and healthy, whether you’re growing it inside or outside. The best fertilizer for a hoya plant is one that has slow-release pellets. These are easy to find at any garden center.
Follow package directions to determine how much fertilizer to use each time you fertilize your hoya plant.
Temperature
This species will grow in either very warm or slightly cool conditions. It grows best in indirect light, but it can handle some direct sunlight as well. The temperature will not be a limiting factor for growing Hoya finlaysonii epc 317.
In fact, temperatures above 80°F/27°C might cause new leaf growth to become more compact and bushy, rather than lanky.
If you live in an area that experiences cold winters, be sure to bring your Hoya epc 317 inside during the winter months. If you don’t want to bring your plant inside for winter, make sure that it is at least 10 degrees warmer than its usual temperature outside.
You can do so by putting a heating mat under one side of its pot or by wrapping its pot in insulation material before bringing it indoors for winter.
Humidity
While some succulents like low humidity, Hoya finlaysonii thrives when grown in higher humidity. If you’re trying to grow it indoors or as a houseplant, make sure you place it near a humidifier or regularly mist your plant with water.
If you’re growing your hoya outdoors, make sure to plant it where it will receive morning sunlight and afternoon shade, this is what gives hoyas their tropical appeal!
The ideal humidity range is between 50% and 70%. If you’re growing your hoya outdoors, you can use a hygrometer to check your plant’s relative humidity. For most succulents, you should aim for a slightly lower level of humidity than what’s considered optimal for humans.
Pruning
Hoya epc 317 is a slow-growing species that rarely needs pruning. If you do decide to prune, remove dying or dead leaves and stems, not buds or young branches.
Since it is slow-growing, it will not be necessary to prune every year. Instead, wait until new shoots appear and then trim away some of them as well.
This will keep your plant from becoming overcrowded and allow more light in for maximum growth potential. The most common problem with hoyas is over-pruning; if you’re not sure how much to cut back, consult an expert before making any cuts.
When to repot
Hoya epc 317 is a young plant, so you probably won’t need to repot it until early spring. This species grows in warm, humid areas of Thailand and Malaysia, so it should be exposed to high humidity when growing indoors.
Mist your plant frequently and place it on a tray with pebbles that you fill with water once a week. Repot into an 8-inch pot filled with soil designed for cacti and succulents. Allow only one root per hole; make sure each one is at least 2 inches long before planting.
Keep your hoya in bright light but out of direct sunlight, which can scorch its leaves. Water every two weeks if there isn’t enough humidity in your home. If you notice leaves turning yellow or falling off, move your plant to a more humid environment or mist it more often.
Dormancy/Winter rest
During dormancy, Hoya finlaysonii will be completely inactive. During dormancy, your plant should be kept in a well-lit area that is between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
You should avoid moving or repotting your plant during winter rest. The soil can become hard as it dries out, so water sparingly. If you are keeping your plant indoors, you can use a humidifier to keep humidity levels high enough for healthy growth.
If you are growing outside, make sure to bring your plant inside before temperatures drop below freezing. Once temperatures rise above freezing again in springtime, move your hoya back outside and resume watering normally until it begins to grow again on its own.
Growth rate
Hoya finlaysonii is a slow-growing plant with unusual leaves and a long flower spike. This hoya can easily reach 5 ft or more tall when grown in a proper environment.
The leaves will grow up to 1 inch long and are triangular in shape. The flowers are dark purple and bloom in late summer through fall. This plant prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
Toxicity
Hoya finlaysonii has no toxic effect reported. However, care should be taken when growing the plant around small children and pets, better safe than sorry.
USDA hardiness zones
Hoya finlaysonii thrives in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11. If you live outside of these zones, your hoya plant will likely be a houseplant. Regardless of where you live, check with your local garden center to see if they carry hoyas. This variety is sometimes sold under its scientific name, Hoya epc 317.
Pests and diseases
Tropical Hoya plants are susceptible to mealybugs, scale insects, and aphids. These pests may be controlled with horticultural oil spray or neem oil concentrate. Hoya plants can also be infected by fungi that produce galls.
This type of fungal infection may spread quickly through a collection of plants, so it is important to isolate infected ones and discard them if they cannot be cured. Bacterial diseases of hoyas include brown spot disease, black band disease, and bacterial leaf spot.
Hoya callistophylla vs finlaysonii
Although the plants are really similar, they are still somewhat different. The Hoya finlaysonii have bolder veins than Hoya callistophylla. That is, Hoya finlaysonii has a vein pattern that is less contrasting than Hoya callistophylla.
Conclusion
Growing conditions and Uses for Hoya finlaysonii epc 317 is a unique plant that exhibits a wide variety of characteristics. This plant can be grown indoors as well as outdoors, making it a great addition to any green-thumbed hobbyist’s collection. When choosing where to grow your hoya epc 317, try using a location that allows it ample sunlight during its first year of growth.
