Growli

Container guide

Growing finlaysonii wax plant in a pot

Verdict
Ideal in pots
Pot size
15-20 cm (6-8 in) across
Mature size
Vines can reach several feet (1-2 m+) indoors with support. Thick, ovate leaves grow up to about 6 in (15 cm) long and 2 in (5 cm) wide; mature plants produce ball-shaped clusters of small, fuzzy, star-shaped flowers.

Compost and drainage

Use a quality peat-free compost with a handful of perlite for air, and make sure the pot has drainage holes. Compost in containers compacts over time, which suffocates roots — that is the main reason potted plants decline.

Watering finlaysonii wax plant in a pot

Containers dry far faster than open ground, so finlaysonii wax plant in a pot needs checking more often than the general guidance of "Every 1-2 weeks; let the top half of the mix dry out first" — especially in summer, wind, or a heated room. Check the top few centimetres with a finger rather than watering on a fixed day.

Potting on

Pot on when roots show through the drainage holes or growth slows noticeably — usually every 1-2 years for a plant this size. Move up one pot size only; jumping several sizes leaves wet compost the roots cannot reach, and that is what rots them.

More finlaysonii wax plant care

Growing finlaysonii wax plant in containers — FAQ

Can you grow finlaysonii wax plant in a pot?

Finlaysonii Wax Plant is well suited to container growing — at about 15 cm mature it is comfortably pot-sized. A container around 15-20 cm (6-8 in) across gives it room without leaving the compost sitting wet, which is the usual mistake when people over-pot a small plant.

What size pot does finlaysonii wax plant need?

Aim for a container 15-20 cm (6-8 in) across. Pot on when roots show through the drainage holes or growth slows noticeably — usually every 1-2 years for a plant this size. Move up one pot size only; jumping several sizes leaves wet compost the roots cannot reach, and that is what rots them.

What compost and drainage does finlaysonii wax plant need in a container?

Use a quality peat-free compost with a handful of perlite for air, and make sure the pot has drainage holes. Compost in containers compacts over time, which suffocates roots — that is the main reason potted plants decline.

How often should I water finlaysonii wax plant in a pot?

Containers dry far faster than open ground, so finlaysonii wax plant in a pot needs checking more often than the general guidance of "Every 1-2 weeks; let the top half of the mix dry out first" — especially in summer, wind, or a heated room. Check the top few centimetres with a finger rather than watering on a fixed day.