Hoya Australis Care - Teak And Terracotta

Welcome to our guide to Hoya Australis care and propagation…

Hoya Australis Care Summary

Light needs:	Bright indirect sunlight.
Watering needs:	Check it weekly and water it only if the soil is dry.
Fertilizer:	Use a balanced fertilizer once a month in spring and summer.
Soil:	Equal parts soil, perlite and orchid bark.
Humidity:	60%.
Temperature:	15-28°C (59-82°F).
Where to buy:	Try our list of Rare Plant Shops.
Common issues:	Root rot from overwatering.

Introduction

The hoya australis is originally from Australia (hence its name), it is also called ‘New South Wales wax flower’, and is now a worldwide houseplant with many sub-varieties that are becoming increasingly popular.

Light Needs

Bright indirect sunlight is idea. They grow fairly slowly and need as much help as they can get! Lots of indirect sunlight, especially if the you have the more variegated ‘Lisa’ variety. Aeriated soil.

How Often To Water A Hoya Australis

It is really important not to over water a hoya, they do not grow in soil in the ground, they grow in trees in bark in the wild, so make sure you do not let them sit in wet soil. So check it weekly and water it only if the soil is dry.

Tip: you can tell if it needs water if the leaves are thin and wrinkly, they will be fatter and more difficult to curl up if well watered.

Fertilizer

Use a balanced fertilizer once a month in the growing months. It will encourage leaf and bloom growth.

Soil

As mentioned these plants are epiphytes and grow up in trees in bark, so you want to give them a soil that imitates their natural habitat as much as possible. I use equal parts soil, perlite and orchid bark. For more on hoya soil (what to buy and how to make your own) see our guide here: Hoya Soil.

When To Repot Hoya Australis

They are OK to be pot bound a bit, but check them yearly and give them a new pot if they are too crowded.

Humidity

60% is ideal, they do just fine at 50% though.

Temperature

They are fairly tough when it comes to temperature and can survive low temperatures at night, but aim for a normal range of 15-28°C (59-82°F).

Hoya Australis Varieties

There are a few different varieties of Hoya australis:

Hoya australis kapaho,
Hoya australis keysii,
Hoya australis lisa,
Hoya australis lizard isle,
Hoya australis Mrs G
Hoya australis oramicola,
Hoya australis rupicola,
Hoya australis ssp. australis.
Hoya australis tenupes,
Hoya australis tonga,
Hoya australis variegata

How To Propagate Hoya Australis

Propagate a hoya australis by taking stem cuttings and rooting them in water until you get a good amount of healthy roots, then you can pot them up into a good hoya mix. You’ll need a section of stem with at least two or three nodes, and take the leaves off the bottom node so that there are no leaves in the water.

Is It Toxic To Cats?

They are not toxic to cats.

Hoya Australis Bloom

They bloom with white or very light yellow flowers that smell like hyacinth.

When Do Hoya Australis Bloom?

They can grow flowers all year round but most commonly they bloom in summer.

Hoya Australis Vs Australis Lisa

The Hoya Australis Lisa is different from the standard Australis as it has big patches light green variegation on it’s leaves.

Where To Buy

Try our list of Rare Plant Shops.

FAQs And Common Problems

Root rot from overwatering is a common issue with these hoyas. Do not water them until dry and don’t leave water in the saucer or external container. Keep them in a really well draining medium too so the soil does not get waterlogged easily.