If you are a fan of hoya plants but never grow them in your life. Then you should grow Hoya australis before other hoya species. Because hoya australis care is very easy. This is a beginner’s plant. Many times, new gardeners start their indoor garden from this plant.
By growing australis hoya plant, you can easily learn about houseplant needs. And their behavior in different environments.
In today’s post, you’ll learn how to grow and care for Hoya australis. How to fix and prevent many common growing problems.
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Quick care guide
| Common Name | Hoya Australis |
| Plant Size | 4- to 10-Meter-long vines |
| Light | Indirect bright light |
| Water | Water until the soil gets dry |
| Humidity | Above 40 % |
| Toxicity | Not toxic to animals and humans |
| Pests | Aphids, Spider mites, Scales |
| Diseases | Root rot and Fungal leaf |
About the hoya Australis
This plant is native to Australia. It is a member of the Apocynaceae family and mainly found in northeast parts of Australia.
Hoyas australis is a strong plant. It can survive in the mild cold and mild dry conditions.
The plant only gets infected by pests and diseases when growers do not give time to their plants.
Under perfect growing conditions, this plant can grow more than 5 meters. Even if you grow it in hanging baskets the vines grow large in size and climb on near supports.
In the evening it releases a sweet fragrance.
Australis hoyas develop oval-shaped leaves with wax-like textures. In the first few months of growth, the plant produces red-hued leaves. These leaves then turn into their final green color as they get mature.
Hoya Australis Care guide
It needs indirect bright light with above 40 % humidity. Loose and well-draining soil is a perfect choice. The ideal temperature is 18 to 26 degrees C.
Moderate water and fertilization are needed for the best possible care.
Light
Most of the time growers said that this plant can survive in low light. But this is not 100% true. In Low light condition, this pant cannot grow well and do not produce flowers. Low light is just for the survival of the plant.
Filtered bright light is required to grow and care for healthy plants.
Do not put it on the sunny window. Because the direct sun rays can damage the plant leaves. The plant leaves are soft and they cannot absorb and tolerate the high intense sun rays.
But as I said it needs indirect bright light. Therefore, put it close to the sunny window approx. 3 feet away.
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Soil
Do not use regular soil to grow hoya australis. In fact, do not use any kind of soil. Any high-quality soilless mixture would be the best growing medium.
Mix coco coir + orchid bark + perlite in equal parts.
The mixture will become a well-draining soilless mixture. Such type of soil does not hold much water in it. This saves lants from root fungus. Also, you do not need to water your plants frequently. Because this type of soil absorb moisture for long time.
This way the plants get a continuous supply of moisture.
If you are living in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11. Then you can easily grow this plant in your outdoor garden. In other zones, it is best to grow it as an indoor plant. Keep in mind australis plants cannot survive in cool temperatures.
Therefore, the soil must have insulating abilities. The above formula protects the plants in cold weather.
Water
For good hoya australis care, give them low to moderate water. Generally, the plants can tolerate little dry conditions. But this does not mean you do not water your plants for weeks.
Yellow and crinkle leaves are the signs of underwatering.
In the summer season do not water the soil until the upper 3 inches of the soil gets dry. Then water the plant until the water comes out through the bottom hole.
In warm weather, hoya plants need more water. Because the water stored in plant leaves and stems gets evaporated quickly.
In winters, plants go to their sleep mode. This means they stop growing and due to cold weather; they need less water. Following the same rule of watering in winters causes root rot issues.
First of all, let the 4 inches of the soil get dry. Then water it to keep the root ball moist. Do not wait for the water to come out by the bottom hole. Just pour the limited amount of water in the plant pot.
Temperature
18 to 26 degrees C temperature range is good for this plant growth. But it can tolerate the little cold conditions. The plant will survive at 12 degrees C. But it will stop growing and become week. If the temperature does not rise within 7 days.
The temperature of the growing room directly affects the watering need of plants and blooming time.
In a cooler climate bring the pot inside. Put it anywhere under indirect bright light. The amount of light it needs is the same for all seasons.
If you are using HPS grow lights then stop using them for this plant. Because they produce a high amount of heat. This heat is different from natural heat released by sun rays.
Australis hoya plants cannot survive in a high heat climate.
Humidity
Most of the hoya plants prefer humidity above 60%. But this particular plant needs low humidity to 40 %. For proper hoya australis care set the humidity between 40 % to 60 %.
The best part is australis hoya plants easily adapt to the low humid areas.
Generally, we have our home humidity between 35 to 70 %. Which is great for growing plants that like moderate to high humidity.
To increase the humidity in the grows room, use a humidifier. If this is not within the budget then you can use a gravel tray, fill the tray with water and let the plant pot sit over it.
Fertilizers
Fertilize it only once a month in the summer season. Use balanced fertilizers like 15-15-15. Or you can also use blooming fertilizers like 7-9-5. Both will work like miracles. The choice of fertilizers is depending on your budget. Choose which is easily available and is cheaper.
I prefer organic fertilizers over synthetic ones. Australis hoya plants need fewer nutrients to grow. But they need a regular supply of them.
Therefore, organic nutrients are the best choice. They are called slow-releasing nutrients.
This forms a chain of nutrients to plant roots. Plant nutrients also increases the life of the soilless potting mixture.
Nowadays they are available in liquid form. Dilute them more than the recommended dosage.
Pruning
It is necessary for the good health and growth of plants. But in this case, pruning is not necessary to encourage the growth. Because when you cut the foliage to promote its growth. The plant reduces its energy production due to the reduction of vines and leaves.
Therefore, do not cut the foliage let them do their work.
You just remove the dead leaves and keep the pot and surroundings clean.
Repotting
Since it is a slow grower plant so it does not need frequent repotting. Generally, growers give good care to their hoya australis plants. Repot it once in 2 years.
- Spring is the best time for repotting because this is a growing time.
- Buy once size big pot
- Water the plant 24 hours before repotting
- Use fresh soil if possible
- Take it out from its old container and inspect the roots
- Remove the soil from the roots with hands.
- Plant it in the new pot.
How to Propagating hoya australis
Hoya propagation is quick and simple. You can grow it from seeds but this will take time to grow plants. Whereas propagation of hoya australis from cuttings is a fast process.
- Take the healthy cuttings and put them in the clean galls of water.
- Put the glass in warmth place under good bright light.
- Cutting will form roots in few days
- Once the roots develop transfer them into the plant pot
- Use soilless mixture
Propagating plants from stems and leaves is a way simple and fast process of propagation then seeds. Seed propagation is late propagation. Because in this method you have to wait until the plant produces seeds. Then you need to save them and after that, you can think about growing more plants.
But in the plant cuttings technique, you can grow many plants once the plant gets mature. No need to wait for the seeds.
Moreover, the cutting technology has a 97% success rate and seeds have a 70 % success rate. If you sow 10 seeds then only 6 or 7 will germinate.
Hoya Australis care and pests
Aphids, Scales, Thrips, and Mealybugs are common pests. Hoya plants are pest-resistant plants. But due to their soft leaves and weak immunity. Often these insects attack hoya plants.
As we all know prevention is better than cure. So, you need to use preventive methods. The first method is the use of neem oil. Spread it over the plants and save them from pest attacks.
In case your plants are already infected then you should use rubbing alcohol. Dilute it in water and spray it all over the plant. Then use a clean cloth to wipe the leaves.
Hoya australis yellow leaves
Overwatering is the most common cause of hoya plant yellow leaves. If the top leaves are yellow this means the light is too bright for the plant. If the bottom leaves are yellow then the extra water is the reason. Move it to the less bright location. Or reduce watering applications to revive the plant.
Hoya plants stop growing
This is due to the sudden change in their growing environment. If you move the plants from one location to another location then this is a common issue.
Give hoya australis plants good care and they will again start growing. But until they show stunted growth do not use fertilizer.
Hoya plant is not blooming
Australis is grown for its beautiful flowers. Sometimes due to some changes in the light and temperature the plants do not produce flowers. In this situation, you need to try the following things
Increase the amount of light that plants receive.
Reduce the night temperature to 12 degrees C.
Australis need cooler temperatures just before the spring for 4 weeks to produce flowers.
Is Hoya australis Toxic?
The plant is not toxic to cats, dogs, and humans. It will not cause any problem even if the horse consumes it. But it can only cause stomach-ache if humans consume it in large quantity.
