Buying guide

Hoya Carnosa (Wax Plant) for Sale: Flowering Care and Where to Buy

By the Plantshop.com Editorial Team · Updated 6 Nov 2026 · How we research · Report an error

Quick verdict

• Buy it if you can give it bright indirect light; some gentle morning sun helps flowering.
• Difficulty: Easy · Pets: Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)
• Size to buy: A tabletop pot or a hanging basket; vines can reach Trailing or climbing vines 3-6+ ft.
• Where to buy: 1 shop we checked lists it (21 Oct 2026): The Sill. Amazon also returns live-plant search results.

Quick picks shop listing checked 21 Oct 2026

Top verified shop: The SillView at The Sill ↗Highest rated of the shops listing it: 4.5/5 from 1,284 reviews on Sitejabber

AmazonCheck price on Amazon ↗Search results for a live plant

Amazon by size: Small · Hanging

Compare all 1 shop ↓ · Care guide

Amazon links open an Amazon search, not a specific product we have tested; prices and sellers vary. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure.

Hoya carnosa is the classic wax plant: thick, waxy leaves and fragrant starry flower clusters on mature vines. It differs from generic 'hoya' listings that mix species; carnosa is the one most often sold for hanging baskets and for bloom.

Is a hoya carnosa (wax plant) right for you?

It suits you if you can give it bright indirect light; some gentle morning sun helps flowering and you are happy to water when the soil is mostly dry; thick leaves store water. Difficulty: Easy. It is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, so it is a good choice for pet homes. Not sure? Try the Plant Finder.

Similar plants to consider: Monstera, Pothos, Snake Plant, ZZ Plant.

Size and age buying guide

Younger or older plant? A younger, smaller plant costs less and settles in easily; an older, larger plant gives you the look straight away but costs more to buy and ship. With a slow to moderate; flowers on older vines growth rate and a mature size of Trailing or climbing vines 3-6+ ft, buy close to the size you want.

Sizes and what you will receive

Online shops sell plants by nursery pot diameter: about 4 in (small, shelf), 6 in (desk or table), 8-10 in (small floor plant) and 12 in and up (floor statement). Height varies a lot within one pot size, so read the listed height too. A mature hoya carnosa (wax plant) can reach Trailing or climbing vines 3-6+ ft and growth is slow to moderate; flowers on older vines, so a smaller plant will take time to fill out; buy closer to the size you want.

What to check when buying: a healthy hoya carnosa (wax plant)

• Firm, evenly colored leaves with no mushy stems at the soil line.
• Soil that is not sour-smelling or waterlogged when it arrives.
• No webbing, sticky residue or tiny moving insects under the leaves.
• Roots, if you peek, that are pale and firm rather than brown and soft.

Problems to know about before buying:

• Soft, yellow leaves: Overwatering.
• Wrinkled leaves: Underwatering or very dry air.
• No flowers: Plant too young, too little light, or spurs pruned off.

What to check on arrival

1. Photograph the box and the plant before and while you unpack; most guarantees ask for photos.
2. Leaves and stems: firm, evenly colored leaves; no snapped stems or mushy tissue at the soil line.
3. Soil: not sour-smelling or waterlogged.
4. Pests: no webbing, sticky residue or tiny moving insects under the leaves.
5. Size: compare the pot size and height with the listing you ordered.
6. Report problems quickly under the shop’s guarantee.

Guarantee terms of the shops that list it, from their own policy pages (checked 21 Oct 2026):

• The Sill: 30-Day Guarantee: replaced free if plants don't arrive healthy; send a photo within 30 days of receiving the order.

Problems that often show up after delivery:

• Soft, yellow leaves: Overwatering.
• Wrinkled leaves: Underwatering or very dry air.
• No flowers: Plant too young, too little light, or spurs pruned off.

Prices

We do not quote prices until we have checked them. They change with pot size, season and sales. To compare fairly, compare the same pot size and check whether a decorative pot and shipping are included.

Shipping and seasonal risks

Tropical plants like this one suffer below about 50°F (10°C). In winter, order from a shop that adds heat packs or holds shipments in freezing weather, and bring the box inside as soon as it arrives. Summer heat in a delivery truck can also damage plants, so avoid long weekends in transit.

Your first week after delivery

1. Unbox right away and photograph any damage; most guarantees need photos within a set window.
2. Water only if the soil is dry; many plants arrive already moist.
3. Give it bright indirect light, but avoid harsh direct sun for a few days.
4. Keep it away from other plants for one to two weeks in case of pests.
5. Wait two to four weeks before repotting. Full care guide: Hoya Carnosa (Wax Plant) care.

Where to buy a hoya carnosa (wax plant) online, and why

Comparing shops in general? See the best places to buy plants online. We list a shop only after confirming it currently lists this plant (checked 21 Oct 2026). Stock changes daily. We may earn a commission from some links; it never decides what we list. Disclosure.

Compare shipping and guarantee terms side by side in Online plant shop policies compared.

More: Hoya Carnosa (Wax Plant) care guide · Best online plant shops, ranked · Free plant care calendar