PlantFiles: Hoya, Australian Waxflower, Wax Plant, Porcelain Flower
Hoya australis

I have two different Hoya australis plants and could never remember which was which, until I learned from a very knowledgeable person here on the DG Hoya Forum how to distinguish one from the other. This plant, Hoya australis ssp. australis, has pubescent leaves (soft tiny hairs). To me, the underside of the leaves feel even softer and fuzzier than the top. My plant is small and hasn't bloomed yet, but I look forward to seeing signs of peduncles, buds, and especially those beautiful fragrant blooms!

This is one of the more arid tolerant species, needing very little humidity in its care (unlike the majority of species which prefer some humidity). It is one of the more ideal Hoyas for those with cactus collections who want a Hoya in their succulent cold frames.

There are more than one subspecies of this Hoya.

Plant originates from the east of Australia (Queensland, New South Wales), where it lives in rainforests. It is the most common Hoya of the 7 species occurring in Australia.
(The genus Hoya contains about 200 different species).
It can be grown in subtropical and tropical gardens; for colder climates it is more suitable as a houseplant.
It needs a support for its long vines, it forms stems that can be several metres long.
The milky juice in the stems is poisonous.
The fragrant waxy flowers, growing in umbels, attract insects. When growing indoors, green aphids may attack and spoil the flowers (the same as with other Hoya species).
Cuttings with a few leaves root easily in potting-soil.
The name Hoya is derived from Thomas Hoy, an English gardener.
There is one more subspecies, H. australis ssp. sana, which has narrower, pointed leaves.