Variegated Australis, or Hoya australis lisa plant, is not an easy Hoya to care for, but the unique leaf coloration and shape of its flowers are certainly worth the extra effort required. Lisa’s leaves have dark green leaf blades with pale green leaf margins, giving them an attractive marbled appearance that’s hard to forget once you’ve seen it in person.
An easy-to-care-for houseplant, the Hoya australis lisa plant needs minimal attention in order to thrive in just about any environment.
These low-maintenance plants are ideal for beginners and enthusiasts alike, providing a unique and eye-catching addition to the house or office without much of the work typically associated with other kinds of plants.
The Variegated Australis is one of the smaller varieties of this popular family of plants. This particular variety offers beautiful light green leaves with creamy yellow splotches and pink flowers. Hoya Australis Lisa care is fairly easy to accomplish if you know what to look out for and are willing to spend the time needed.
If you’re interested in learning more about Hoya Australis Lisa care and how you can incorporate this attractive flowering plant into your life, here’s everything you need to know about this variety and how to take care of it so that it will live and thrive in your home or office!
Origin and descriptions
Hoya australis lisa is a perennial vine that belongs to the family Apocynaceae. The plant hails from Southeast Asia and India. It is generally quite difficult to grow but has a soft creeper-like look. Plants are usually around 4 to 6 inches in diameter, however, larger specimens can be found in stores. Leaves are green with red edges and have a waxy texture.
They tend to grow between 2-3 feet long. Flowers appear on female plants only and range in color from white to pink or purple depending on the variety. Plants require moderate sunlight (at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day) and should be watered moderately throughout their growth cycle. Be sure not to overwater, as Lisa’s will rot easily if kept too moist for too long of a period of time.
Hoya australis lisa propagation
One of many hoyas that are considered to be non-intergeneric hybrids. These plants can be propagated by division or leaf cuttings. Try leaf cuttings during spring and summer while they’re actively growing. Cut leaves, remove lower petiole, place on top of moistened perlite, and cover with a plastic bag. Within a few weeks, new plantlets will form along the leaves edges.
Transplant them into individual pots when they’ve developed roots. Plants prefer bright indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions. They require high humidity, so mist them regularly or keep them in an enclosed terrarium environment. Water when the soil is dry to touch and fertilize monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.
The temperature should be kept between 65°F and 80°F (18°C – 27°C). Use caution when handling, as sap may irritate skin and eyes. Leaves are variegated and irregularly lobed; giving it an interesting texture. It has lovely little yellow flowers that grow alongside each stem which adds interest for us indoor gardeners.
Hoya australis care information
Hoya australis care is easy. Australis lisa is a beautiful, easy-to-care-for succulent that features thick, rounded leaves and a naturally variegated pink and green leaf edge. They are great houseplants that can be grown almost anywhere with little attention; they prefer bright indirect light and should be watered sparingly when in active growth.
During warm months, allow the soil to dry out between waterings. In cooler months, fertilize occasionally with controlled-release fertilizer or liquid fertilizer if leaves begin to drop.
If you notice brown tips on your plant, it may need more moisture—the roots of these plants often grow along their stems so be sure to check there as well. If you have questions about your hoya’s health, consult an expert at your local garden center.
Light requirements
Hoya australis lisa only needs a few hours of light each day, but it should be bright. If your plant doesn’t get enough light, its leaves will become spotted or misshapen and begin to fall off. More than 8 hours of direct sunlight is too much for these plants; any more exposure can damage them and even kill them.
The best way to provide bright light is with fluorescent bulbs that are designed for growing plants. The amount of time you need to keep your plant under lights depends on how close you place it to them; if you keep it right next to a bulb, you may need less time than if you keep it farther away. To ensure optimal growth, change out your bulbs every 6 months.
Soil/potting mix
Use a light, well-draining potting mix. If you use a commercial bagged mix, make sure it doesn’t contain fertilizer or other additives that will harm your plant. A simple mixture of coconut coir and sand works fine for hoyas. Add more sand if needed to keep from having too much water drain out of your pot when you water your plant.
You want good drainage in case you overwater (which can kill your plant). You also want good drainage because hoyas are tropical plants that need high humidity but prefer a dry atmosphere. The coir holds moisture while still allowing air to circulate around the roots.
Watering
Hoya species are succulent plants, that require regular watering to maintain plump leaves. They can withstand long periods of drought, but keep in mind that they’ll need more frequent misting when grown indoors.
The rule of thumb is to give them as much water as they will drink up in a 24-hour period. Then, let them dry out for one to two days before watering again. Never let your hoya sit in standing water, which can lead to root rot and eventually death.
Fertilizer
Water your Hoya australis lisa once a week with a balanced liquid fertilizer that contains micronutrients. Use at half-strength. I use Miracle Grow or Peters 20-20-20 Vegetable and Flower Food, diluted in half with water. Apply to soil only; do not spray on leaves. New plants should be fertilized every two weeks until they are well established.
Once they are growing vigorously, you can switch to a monthly schedule of fertilization. Make sure you never apply too much fertilizer, as it can burn new growth.
Temperature
Hoya australis lisa plants are tropical plants, and therefore prefer temperatures of 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 65-70 degrees at night. If you choose to keep your Hoya outside, be sure to bring it inside before frost occurs. You can also grow Hoyas in a greenhouse or sunroom where they will receive indirect sunlight year-round.
Humidity
Hoya australis lisa thrives in high humidity (around 70 percent), so don’t forget to mist it every couple of days. To encourage your plant to produce more blooms, put it in a terrarium and install a mini-humidifier on top of it.
Pruning
It’s crucial to prune and shape your hoya australis lisa frequently. While I don’t personally have any experience with the Hoya Australis, it is said that they benefit from monthly trims. The goal of pruning is to keep your Hoya compact so it can put its energy into healthy, new growth. If left unpruned, Hoyas will tend to bush out as they continue to grow.
When to repot
Hoya australis lisa is a vigorous grower that should be repotted every 1-2 years to ensure adequate space and fresh soil. While you don’t want to over-pot your hoya, you do want to leave a little room for healthy root growth. If you notice your plant starting to crowd its pot or showing signs of distress such as yellowing leaves, it’s time for a new home.
Dormancy
You can maintain your Hoya australis lisa in a dormant state by reducing its exposure to light and water. However, it is important that you still perform daily care such as misting to prevent mold from growing on its leaves and to keep its soil moist. When your Hoya does come out of dormancy, you may notice that its colors are more vibrant than before.
Hoya australis flower & fragrance
Hoya australis lisa is a plant with variegated foliage and fragrant flowers. The flowers of Hoya australis are long-lasting and highly scented, giving off a scent similar to gardenia blossoms.
These flowers are also quite unique in their shape, resembling butterflies more than traditional flower petals. This tropical plant enjoys indirect sunlight and warm temperatures of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Growth rate
Hoya australis lisa is a small, slow-growing plant that would prefer a little neglect. Too much water will cause your hoya to wilt and die within a week. Like most Hoya plants they do not like being overwatered and will show signs of distress if you give them too much water on a regular basis.
Toxicity
Hoya australis lisa is poisonous, but only when ingested. It contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain if consumed. When using it as a decorating plant for your home, be sure to keep it out of reach of children and pets.
USDA Hardiness Zones
Hoya australis lisa will thrive in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12. If you live outside of these zones, it’s best to grow your hoya plant as a houseplant. While it can survive outdoors during warm summer months, its leaves are likely to burn and fade if left out in frosty temperatures.
Even if you live within one of these three warmer regions, be sure to protect your hoya from freezing temperatures by bringing it indoors when winter weather approaches.
Pests and diseases
While Hoya australis lisa is not necessarily prone to pests or diseases, it’s still important to keep an eye out for problems. Botrytis and gray mold can be especially tricky because they attack quickly—so make sure you remove any yellowed leaves right away.
Aphids are a common pest of Hoyas; if you notice a problem, spray your plant with a soap-and-water mixture to eliminate them. Scale insects look like tiny shells on your leaves; scrape them off with a fingernail or toothpick. Mealybugs look like cottony clumps on stems and undersides of leaves; use rubbing alcohol to get rid of these bugs (or dab them with cotton swabs dipped in alcohol).
Conclusion
Hoya australis lisa plants are easy to care for succulents that require minimal effort. Their defining characteristic is their ability to produce new stems from an underground rhizome, making them excellent houseplants for someone who isn’t around often.
They thrive in a moist environment and need very little sunlight to survive. When you do have time, these plants appreciate a good thorough cleaning with room-temperature water and soap to help keep them healthy!
