Houseplants are a unique addition to any home. I had the Hoya in my home. It bloomed from January to the end of May with at least 7 magnificent flowers filling the house with an aroma of cherry chocolate. Up to 3 flowers bloomed; one after the other. It was soon time to win it and change the plant location because it got too hot. These flowers are simply magnificent in their colors and have a delicate porcelain effect.
In This Article
What is the Hoya Lisa (Hoya Australis Lisa)?
The Hoya Lisa is one of the rarest kinds of houseplants with very little need of water in order to thrive. These plants are at their best when placed in a lot of sunlight. However, you should place them no fewer than three feet away from the window. This plant loves well draining soil and this means you shouldn’t have to add fertilizers to it if you have to repot when it grows in size.
The Hoya plant is nicknamed:
- Wax Flower
- Porcelain Flower
- Hoya Australis
- Variegated Hoya
- Variegated Australis
It grows best in tropical climates. Plant lovers appreciate its picturesque flowering, especially during the summer months. It grows fleshy-looking flowers that emit a fragrant aroma and that is one reason why homeowners like to keep it indoors. There are many different hoyas grown and sold as indoor plants.
What are the Features and Appearance?
The Hoya Lisa plant is considered a trailing or climbing plant with leaves that look hand painted. This plant is characterized by its succulent and fleshy dark green and soft peach leaves. There are at least 3 distinct shades of green on each of its broad leaves. It is very easy to grow.The stems measure from 1 to 3 meters. The plant can grow up to 10 feet indoors. The Hoya flowers have a waxy appearance and are grouped together in umbels. It also has a long life expectancy.
When it blooms, you can expect aromatic clusters of bright white flowers. They need bright, natural light to set seeds and flowers . You can put them on a table, in a corner, next to a sliding glass door with a northerly exposure, or next to a tall, narrow window with an EAST exposure. Rotate it every two months so that it receives light evenly all around.
Because the bulbs all grow downward, it is more suitable for planting in higher hanging pots, so that the flowers are easier to see.
Where Can They Be Found?
These plants are mostly perennial, evergreen vines that grow on trees, but they can also be found on the ground or in rock-prone areas. Their leaves are usually succulent and vary in size, color, texture, and venation.
Most of these species are of Australian origin and enjoy great popularity in countries like China, Thailand, India and others. Due to their epiphytic (on other plants) growth habits, Hoya plants are not the easiest to harvest. However, botanists and collectors can access them and collect them from fallen trees.
Where Should the Plant Be Located?
If you were to place this hoya plant in your home, it would have to be put in a pot first and then placed in a room with a temperature of 18 to 22 degrees Celsius.
- The room has to be light and warm.
- The plant should be placed in a location where it has long hours of sunlight.
- Do not leave it in direct sunlight.
- Place the potted plant about a meter from the window.
How Should You Water The Hoya Plant?
Since this is a tropical plant, it loves humidity. Therefore, you should water it more in the growth period using non-calcareous water. Before you water it again, be sure to wait for the soil’s surface to dry out to around 1 centimeter in depth. After that, you should space out the instances of watering between the months of October and March.
During the hot summers, you can drench the pot by plunging it in water. Once the water starts to evaporate, it will produce moisture to the plant’s foliage without actually wetting it. Try to avoid leaving water in the saucer to stagnate.
Important: Too often, the plant suffers from too much watering. Wait until the soil is very dry to a great depth before watering it. A fertilizer rich in potassium (K), diluted (half the recommended rate each week) can give it a little boost to help flowering.
How Often Should You Water the Plant?
In summer, you will need to water the plant weekly. In winter, you water it every 2 weeks. When you have brought it to a larger container with your special potting soil, you will water it less often.
How Should You Nourish Your Plant?
Like all plants, Hoyas need good nourishment for proper development. All houseplants are fed with a light application of vermicompost followed by a light layer of compost on top each spring.
Potting soil
There are several types of potting soil. You can use it because of its high-quality ingredients that serve as fertilizer for your plants . It is ideal for potted plants , including houseplants.
Compost
Local compost can be used because of its nutrients. If you can’t find it anywhere you live, replace it with potting soil. Compost naturally enriches the soil.
What Fertilizer Should You Use?
From March to September (growth period), add liquid fertilizer to your hoya every 15 days. Preferably choose a fertilizer rich in potassium . In the spring, you can occasionally add a fertilizer richer in phosphorus to promote the appearance of flowers.
Materials needed:
– Liquid fertilizer for green and flowering plants
– Liquid organic and vegetarian grass-based fertilizer
When Should You Fertilize?
You should only fertilize the plant during the spring and summer because that is its growing season. Use liquid fertilizer, which is high in potassium and phosphorus, especially when the plant is flowering.
How Do You Repot It?
Stem cuttings in the spring and summer are the easiest way to propagate your hoya . Then take stem ends of about 8/10 cm and remove the bottom leaves. Dip the tips of the cuttings in a rooting hormone powder and then plant them in a mixture of peat and moist sand. Leave the pots in a warm place (21°C) and water regularly. You can permanently repot your new hoya plants 3 months later in a 5 inch pot.
How Do You Prune the Hoya?
Unlike most houseplants, faded flower umbels should not be removed as other flowers may appear there. However, you can pinch the ends of the stems to promote their branching and keep a Hoya compact and provided.
Equipment needed for pruning the Hoya:
– pruning shears
– pruning scissors
Diseases and Parasites
Regularly monitor the presence of spider mites and scale insects . Drenching the plant should be enough to make them go away. If your Hoya’s leaves are drying out and curling up, the air is probably too hot.
Can The Plant Be Grown Outdoors?
Yes, the Hoya Lisa plant can be grown outdoors, but is mostly grown indoors. However, the Hoya Carnosa, known as ‘Krimson Queen’, is an evergreen perennial climbing plant that climbs on trees or rocks through entwined or adventitious roots, producing rich nectar, mostly using moths, flies and ants to pollinate it. The leaves will provide shelter for the ants and form a symbiotic relationship with the ants!
The plant is not as pampered as it looks, but rather rough, with rapid growth of branches and leaves. And because the leaves are thick and collect water, you don’t need to water them too often. But getting them to bloom is a challenge, which is why it is rare to see blooming orchids for sale.
Outside Care
The Hoya Plant will appreciate being taken outside in the summer, provided you place the pot in the shade and bring it inside as soon as the nights become cool. Clean the leaves regularly with a damp cloth to remove dust.
What Happens If The Plant Does Not Get Enough Sunlight?
If the Hoya Lisa receives no direct sunlight, it will require approximately 0.8 cups of water every 12 days. Without enough sunlight, the leaves will start to drop. It is best to place the potted plant facing south in the window for maximum potential growth.
Hoya Lisa vs Krimson Princess
The Hoya Lisa and Krimson Princess are two popular cultivars of the hoya plant. Both plants are known for their beautiful, fragrant flowers. But which one is the better choice for your home?
If you’re looking for a plant that will bloom year-round, the Krimson Princess is the better choice. If you prefer a fragrance in your plants, go with the Hoya Lisa. And if price is a factor, the Hoya Lisa is typically more affordable.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide which plant is best suited for your home. Both the Hoya Lisa and Krimson Princess make great additions to any indoor garden!
Hoya Lisa Blooms
The Hoya Lisa is a beautiful cultivar of the hoya plant. It is known for its fragrant, pink flowers. The Hoya Lisa blooms year-round, making it a great choice for indoor gardens. They prefer well-drained, moist soil and full sun to partial shade.
Hoya Lisa Propogation
Hoya Lisa plants can be propagated by stem cuttings. To propagate, take a stem cutting that includes at least two leaves. Dip the cutting in rooting hormone and plant in well-drained, moist soil. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Place the cutting in a warm, bright location out of direct sunlight. New growth should appear within 4-6 weeks.
What to Do if Your Hoya Australis Lisa is Dropping Leaves?
If your Hoya Lisa is dropping leaves, it is likely due to too much water or not enough light. Make sure the soil is well-drained and only water when the top inch of soil is dry. Place the plant in a bright location out of direct sunlight. If the problem persists, consult a professional horticulturist.
Hoya Lisa vs Tricolor
Both the Hoya Lisa and Tricolor have their own unique set of characteristics. So, which one is right for you?
If you’re looking for a plant that will bloom year-round, the Tricolor is the better choice. If you prefer a fragrance in your plants, go with the Hoya Lisa. And if price is a factor, the Hoya Lisa is typically more affordable.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide which plant is best suited for your home. Both the Hoya Lisa and Tricolor make great additions to any indoor garden!
Is the Hoya Australis Lisa Toxic?
The Hoya Lisa is not considered to be toxic. However, as with all plants, it is best to keep it out of reach of children and pets. If ingested, the plant may cause stomach upset. If you have any concerns, consult a medical professional.
Repotting a Hoya Australis Lisa
This is a good video overview of how to repot your Hoya Lisa if you need to repot your plant:
Additional Care
Once the Hoya plant has bloomed, don’t remove any faded stalks from the flower. It will use the same stalks to produce new flowers when it blooms again. In addition, do not move the plant once it has started to develop new buds. This could disturb its growth, causing the buds to fall off before they even open.
Where Can You Find The Plant For Sale?
This hanging houseplant can be found for sale online and in various nurseries across the United States. You can buy it along with a hanging basket to beautify your home.
Here are some specific links to places to buy the plant online:
- https://www.nnplant.com/products/hoya-australis-lisa-rare-plant-6inches-wax-vine-plant-houseplant-premium-live-plant-pr7
- https://www.etsy.com/listing/1315917998/hoya-australis-lisa-exotic-rare
- https://canopyplantco.com/products/hoya-australis-lisa
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional Sources & Resources
– https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321188970_Hoya_australis_Roxb_-_A_Review
– https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/nancyvirden/hoya-australis-lisa
– https://depts.washington.edu/hortlib/plantlist/search-result-detail.php?ID=158&ShowAll=1
– https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/129856-Hoya-australis
– https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=503915#null
– https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=HOAU3
– https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=46872
– http://www2.hawaii.edu/~eherring/hawnprop/hoya-aus.htm
– https://botany.org/CPC_Redlist/redlist.asp?Criteria=CR2& Publications:
Hoya australis. (n.d.). Retrieved from the World Conservation Monitoring Centre database: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/32288/0
World Conservation Union (IUCN). (2011, May 5). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.1.<br><br>
Created By:
Alyssa Dernbach for Biology 202, Autumn Quarter 2018, Section 1<br>
Instructor: Gage Dayton<br>
Teaching Assistants: Ava Chadwick, Evan Butler<br>
University of Washington, Seattle<br><br>
This document was created with the help of:
https://stackedit.io/editor#!provider=gist&gist=fb9bfb03c12dcf454e764f5b5ea2ec42<br><br>
Additional sources used not listed here due to space constraints:<br>
– Kewscience.org. (n.d.). Hoya australis – Plant Finder. Retrieved October 17, 2018, from https://science.kew.org/taxonomy/evolutionary-history/
Image credit: etsy.com
