If you’re looking for an easy-to-care-for houseplant, the Hoya Australis is a great option. This succulent can be grown indoors or outdoors in a warm climate, and it only needs moderate light and water to thrive.
In this blog post, we’ll give you Hoya Australis care tips and how to grow these indoor plants. Keep reading to learn more!
Plant Facts
| Scientific name | Hoya australis |
| Common names | Waxvine, common waxflower |
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Plant Type | Houseplant |
| Height and Width | 13-33’ long and 2-5 cm wide vines |
| Origin | Australia |
| Flower colors | Red |
| Foliage color | Dark green |
| Sun Exposure | Direct sunlight |
| Soil Type & pH | Well-drained, neutral soil |
| Special features | Great for pollinators, attractive foliage, good for trellises |
How to Grow Hoya Australis
This succulent is native to Australia and New Zealand, but can be successfully grown indoors in most parts of the United States.
These plants offer a beautiful fragrance reminiscent of chocolate and vanilla and an attractive appeal. Read on to learn more about growing hoya australis!
Propagation
The most common way to propagate hoya australis is by stem cuttings. Cut a 6-8 inch piece off of a healthy stem, making sure to include at least 2-3 leaf nodes. These nodes will be where new roots will grow from. Dip the cutting in rooting hormone and plant in a well-draining potting mix.
Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. Within 2-3 weeks, you should see new growth appearing on the cutting. Once the plant is established, you can begin watering it less frequently. Enjoy your new wax plant!
Soil
While it can be grown in a variety of soil types, hoya australis prefers well-draining, slightly acidic soil. The ideal soil mix for hoya australis would be two parts peat moss to one parts perlite or coarse sand. This type of soil will help to keep the roots of the plant moist while also providing good drainage.
Make sure the containers you use to grow these flowers have lots of drainage holes and that you use a well-draining soil mixture. You can use a moisture meter to get an idea of how much water your plants truly need.
Pruning
Pruning a hoya australis is a simple but important task that will keep your plant healthy and looking its best. First, take a close look at the plant and identify any dead or dying leaves. These can be removed with a sharp pair of scissors.
Next, consider the shape of the plant and how you want it to look. Trim away any stray leaves or vines that are spoiling the overall shape.
Finally, cut back any long branches that are growing out of control. By taking these simple steps, you will keep your hoya australis looking neat and tidy – and ensure that it continues to thrive for years to come.
Repotting and Transplanting
Although hoya australis can tolerate being pot-bound, it will eventually outgrow its nursery pot and will need to be repotted or transplanted. Repotting is necessary when the roots of the plant are visible at the bottom of the pot or when the potting mix becomes compacted.
To repot hoya australis, carefully remove the plant from its current pot and place it in a new pot that is only slightly larger. Be sure to use a well-draining potting mix and water thoroughly after repotting.
Transplanting is necessary when the plant becomes too large for its current pot. To transplant hoya australis, choose a new location that has bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. Carefully dig up the plant and transplant it to the new location, being sure to water it thoroughly.
How to Care for Hoya Australis
If you’re lucky enough to have a Hoya Australis in your life, you’ll want to know how to take care of it! This plant is known for its glossy leaves and delicate blooms, and with the right care it can thrive for years.
Keep reading for tips on watering, fertilizing, and potting your Hoya Austalis.
Water
Hoya australis is a low-maintenance plant that does not require frequent watering. In fact, overwatering can be harmful to the plant.
When watering hoya australis, allow the soil to dry out completely before giving it a deep drink and try to water in the early morning rather than the late afternoon or evening. During the winter months, when the plant is dormant, reduce watering even further.
Sunlight
These plants do best in bright filtered light, so they make an ideal plant for an east- or west-facing window. If you live in a particularly hot climate, you may want to provide some afternoon shade to prevent the leaves from scorching.
Temperature and Humidity
This evergreen vine is native to Southeast Asia and typically thrives in humid, tropical environments. However, the hoya australis can also adapt to drier conditions. The key to success is to maintain consistent temperature and humidity levels.
While the wax plant prefers temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, it can tolerate a wide range of humidity levels, from 40% to 60%.
Maintaining consistent temperature and humidity levels for your houseplants can be challenging, but it is essential for their health. One way to help regulate temperature is to place your plants near a window where they can receive indirect sunlight.
In addition, adding a layer of mulch around the base of your plants can help to retain moisture and prevent the soil from drying out. Humidity can be increased by placing a tray of water under your plant, or by running a humidifier near the plant.
It is also important to make sure that your plants are not in an area where they will be exposed to drafts from doors or windows. By taking these simple steps, you can help ensure that your houseplants stay healthy and thrive.
Fertilizer
Hoya australis is a relatively easy plant to care for, but it does require regular fertilization to maintain healthy growth. When fertilizing hoya australis, it is important to use a balanced fertilizer that contains both nitrogen and potassium to ensure the plant’s growth and flowering.
Apply the all-purpose fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season, and be sure to water deeply afterwards to help the nutrients reach the roots.
The perfect fertilizer for hoya australis helps the plants to achieve the ideal levels of growth without any adverse effects. For this reason, there are certain elements to look for when finding the best fertilizer.
First, nitrogen is necessary for plant growth, so it is important to find a fertilizer that contains this element. Second, phosphorus helps plants to develop strong roots and produce flowers, so it is also beneficial to find a fertilizer that contains phosphorus.
Finally, potassium aids in water uptake and helps to prevent plant diseases, so a fertilizer with potassium is ideal. By looking for these key ingredients, you can be sure to find the perfect fertilizer for your hoya australis plants.
Pest and diseases
Some of the most common problems faced by hoya australis include aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, spider mites, and root rot.
Aphids
Aphids are tiny, sap-sucking insects that can cause a lot of damage to houseplants. They are most often found on the undersides of leaves, where they can feed undetected. Aphids can quickly reproduce, and a small infestation can quickly become a big problem. Left unchecked, aphids can weaken plants and even kill them.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to get rid of aphids and keep them from coming back. One of the easiest ways to get rid of aphids is to simply blast them off with a strong stream of water. This will knock them off the plant and leave them vulnerable to predators. You can also remove aphids by hand-picking them off the plant and squishing them.
For larger infestations of these bugs, you may need to use an insecticide. Be sure to follow the directions carefully and only use the amount specified, as too much insecticide can damage the plant. With a little effort, you can get rid of aphids and protect your houseplants.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, wingless insects that feed on plant sap. They can be difficult to control, as they often hide in the plant’s succulent leaves and flowers.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are also tiny pests that feed on plant sap. However, they are dangerous because they can quickly reproduce, leading to infestations that can damage a plant beyond repair.
Whiteflies
Whiteflies are small, winged insects that are often seen in large numbers on the undersides of leaves. They feed on plant sap, causing leaves to yellow and eventually drop off. Whiteflies can quickly damage houseplants, so it is important to take steps to control them as soon as they are noticed.
One way to deal with whiteflies is to physically remove them from plants using a soft brush or your fingers. Another option is to use yellow sticky traps, which will trap and kill the insects. predatory wasps can also be used to control whiteflies; these wasps lay their eggs inside the whiteflies, causing them to larvae and ultimately die.
Root Rot
Root rot is a disease that affects the roots of a plant. It is often caused by overwatering, which can lead to fungal growth. If left untreated, root rot can kill a plant.
Common Varieties and Cultivars
A member of the Asclepiadaceae family, it is related to plants such as milkweeds and hawkweeds. H. australis is a popular houseplant due to its easy care requirements and tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. It can be found in a variety of flower clusters’ colors including green, pink, and red.
The most common cultivar is the ‘Variegata’ which has leaves with creamy-white margins. Another popular cultivar is the ‘Rubra’ which has deep green leaves with red veins. Another common subspecies is Hoya australis Lisa.
Hoya australis are typically propagated by stem cuttings, but can also be grown from seed.
Conclusion
Now that you know all about how to grow and care for your Hoyas, it’s time to get planting!
So what are you waiting for? Get growing!
See more similar plants you can grow:
*image by jojoo64/depositphotos
