The Hoya australis is a beautiful, rare and exotic plant that is both eye-catching and easy to care for. Hailing from Southeast Asia and Australia, the Hoya australis enjoys warm, tropical climates. It’s a vigorous and fast-growing climber, boasting strikingly unique wax-coated foliage and clusters of star-shaped flowers. It’s famed for its mystery and uniqueness, yet its beauty must be seen to be fully appreciated.
For any plant enthusiast, the Hoya australis will be a prized addition to their home, but these plants need special care for them to thrive. To add to its allure, there are over 200 different species of Hoya plants in the genus, and the australis is very rarely encountered in the wild.
Tips for nurturing your Hoya australis
Light
The Hoya australis enjoys bright, indirect light. It can handle some direct sunlight, but if the plant is placed in direct sun for too long or for too often, the leaves may get scorched.
Temperature
Hoya australis thrives in warm climates between 16-30°C (60-86°F). The plant will struggle in cold temperatures and can suffer frost damage.
Soil Type & Drainage
This plant prefers well-amended, moist but not soggy, organic soil with good drainage, such as an orchid potting mix. It’s essential to ensure that there is ample drainage and that the soil does not stay waterlogged for too long.
Humidity
The Hoya australis prefers humid environments, ideally between 50-70%. However, it can tolerate lower humidity levels.
Watering
The Hoya australis enjoys regular watering throughout the spring and summer. In their pots, they need to dry out between waterings, but not completely. Water your Hoya when the top 2-3 cm (1 in) of soil is dry. Water more sparingly in the winter.
Toxicity
The Hoya australis is considered non-toxic to both children and pets.
Fertiliser
Fertilise your Hoya australis regularly with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Use half the recommended strength once every two weeks in the growing season and cease feeding in the winter.
Troubleshooting Pests, Diseases, and Common Problems
Common problems can be a bit of an issue with Hoyas from time to time, usually due to incorrect conditions or overwatering. Common issues include scale, mealybugs, spider mites or too much direct sun. Try to identify the cause and remedy the problem with appropriate treatments.
Propagating
The Hoya australis can be propagated from both leaf and stem cuttings. Cuttings should be taken in autumn or spring and should be 4-8 cm (2-3 in) long. Allow the cuttings to callous over at room temperature for 1-2 days before placing them in moist soil or a mix of perlite and water. Keep the soil consistently moist and place it in bright, indirect light. After a few weeks, roots should start to form.
Final Thoughts
No plant collection is complete without a Hoya australis. It’s a unique and beautiful plant that will surely be a conversation starter that will spruce up any indoor corner. As long as you make sure your Hoya australis receives the correct light, temperature, humidity and soil moisture levels, there’s no reason why it won’t thrive. So why wait? Get yourself a gorgeous Hoya australis today and watch it flourish!
