Hoya australis aka Samoan Waxplant

Taxonomy

Hoya australis, commonly known as the Waxvine or Common waxflower, is one of the species in the genus Hoya and is found on rainforest margins and rocky areas in eastern and northern Australia, from Western Australia, through the Northern Territory and coastal Queensland from Cape York to northern New South Wales. It is a popular garden plant, noted for its fragrant flowers and glossy foliage, with each flower looking like a five-pointed star, and the cluster of flowers also arranging itself in a star shape. The sweetly scented wax-like white flowers have cerise inner markings under the white corona and often several clusters open at the same time. The long, narrow fruit contains many feathery seeds that float in the wind. With over 500 species and even more cultivars, Hoya plants are native to Southeast Asia and known for their thick, waxy leaves which help them retain water in the heat and can take off if given a trellis to grow on. Their other-worldly, star-shaped flowers are often fragrant and come in brilliant shades of red, pink, yellow, and more.

Common names

Samoan Waxplant, Wax Flower, Porcelain Flower

How to care for Samoan Waxplant

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Samoan Waxplant is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Samoan Waxplant does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

Soil

Samoan Waxplant loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Samoan Waxplant requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Wax Flower is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it is common for Samoan Waxplant plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Humidity

The Samoan Waxplant does not demand additional humidity levels. Water is mostly absorbed by the roots of plants, rather than their leaves, and the best way to provide humidity to your plants is through watering the soil.

Fertilizer

Once the Samoan Waxplant has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Samoan Waxplant’s native range is Southeast Asia and Australia.


More info:
Wikipedia