Hoya Australis
A vigorous, glossy-leaved hoya that climbs fast and flowers young: white star clusters with a red centre and a strong, sweet perfume. Rounder, brighter leaves than carnosa, the same easy care, and pet-safe.
Hoya australis is the Australian cousin of the wax plant, and the one to buy if you want flowers fast. It grows quickly, the leaves are rounder and glossier than carnosa, and a plant in a bright window can bloom in its second year: umbels of white, red-eyed stars with a scent that fills a room in the evening.
It climbs more than it trails. Give it a hoop or a trellis and it will wrap itself around it in a season. The variegated form, Lisa, is one of the most popular hoyas sold, with cream-splashed leaves that open pink.
Light
Bright, indirect light with a few hours of gentle direct sun. It takes more sun than most hoyas and flowers better for it; a south or west window a few feet back is ideal. In medium light it grows slowly and greener and rarely blooms. Midday sun through glass in summer can still scorch.
Water
Water when the top half of the pot is dry, roughly every ten days in summer and every two to three weeks in winter. It is a bit thirstier than the succulent-leaved hoyas, but still rots in soggy soil. Water thoroughly, drain, and empty the saucer.
Soil and potting
A chunky mix of bark, perlite and potting soil in a pot with drainage. Snug is good; it flowers root-bound. Repot every two to three years, one size up, and give it a trellis at the same time.
Feeding
Half-strength balanced feed every six weeks in spring and summer; a bloom feed once buds show. It grows fast and appreciates it.
Propagation
Easy. Two-node cuttings in water root in three to five weeks. Lisa cuttings should include a well-variegated leaf, or the new growth may come back green.
In a hot, dry home
Very good in a hot, dry home. It likes the light and warmth and shrugs off dry air. In the hottest weeks water a little more often than a carnosa; the leaves are thinner. Keep it away from cold AC drafts, which can drop buds.
Hoya Australis varieties
Same care, different look. These are the named forms you will see for sale.
- Lisa
The variegated australis: cream and yellow centres with green margins, new leaves flushed pink. The form most people mean by "Hoya Lisa".
Problems and fixes
Buds dropping before they open
Likely cause: Moved, cold draft, or watering changed
Fix: Leave it in place and keep watering steady while in bud.
Yellow leaves, soft stems
Likely cause: Overwatering
Fix: Dry the pot out; check the roots.
Lisa going green
Likely cause: Not enough light
Fix: Brighter spot; trim fully green stems back to variegated growth.
Long bare vines
Likely cause: Normal searching growth
Fix: Give it something to climb; leaves fill in.
Hoya Australis questions
Is Hoya australis safe for pets?
Yes. Non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Is Hoya Lisa the same plant?
Yes. Lisa is the variegated form of Hoya australis. Same care, a little slower, and it wants bright light to keep the cream colour.
How soon will it flower?
Often in the second year in bright light, sooner than most hoyas. The flowers are white with a red centre and strongly scented at night.
Plants with a similar rhythm
Hoya Pubicalyx
- Light
- Medium to bright indirect
- Water
- Every 10 days
- Pets
- Safe
Hoya Obovata
- Light
- Medium to bright indirect
- Water
- Every 2 weeks
- Pets
- Safe
Hoya Rope Plant
- Light
- Medium to bright indirect
- Water
- Every 2 weeks
- Pets
- Safe
