Hoya australis ssp. tenuipes D9

Hoya australis subsp. tenuipes is a botanical subspecies from New Guinea and Queensland, with a slender, climbing, vine-like growth habit. The foliage is green, glossy, and fleshy, while young shoots may temporarily develop reddish hues. Under good growing conditions, the plant produces umbels of pale, waxy flowers with a reddish tinge toward the corona and a noticeable fragrance. This is a separate batch from other listings of the same subspecies: the pot may contain 2 plants at various stages of development. It is also known as Wax Flower or Mother of God’s Tears.

Foliage and growth. The stems are slender, flexible, and climbing. The leaves are opposite, thick, and fleshy, approximately 5–10 cm long and 3–6 cm wide. The surface is smooth and glossy, while new growth may display reddish hues. In brighter light, the foliage may become lighter, yellowish-green, without this indicating variegation.

Flowers and fragrance. The flowers measure approximately 10–11 mm and appear in umbel-like inflorescences. The corolla lobes are white, with a purplish-red tinge toward the corona; the corona lobes are white. The flowers are fragrant and may remain open for several days, sometimes nearly a week. The exact fragrance profile is not specified here, as sources describe it differently. Flowering depends on the plant’s maturity and growing conditions.

Botanical identity and origin. Hoya australis subsp. tenuipes (K.D.Hill) P.I.Forst. & Liddle is an accepted subspecies, published in 1991; the basionym is Hoya oligotricha subsp. tenuipes K.D.Hill. Its native range, verified in Plants of the World Online, includes New Guinea and Queensland. In the wild, it grows as a vine in humid tropical forests, including lowland areas and swamp forests. The broad geographic range of the Hoya australis complex does not apply to this subspecies.

Substrate: use an airy, well-draining mix suitable for epiphytic species. We recommend the professional substrate for Hoya and Anthurium – SG Mix.

For complete recommendations on light, watering, substrate, fertilization, propagation, and flowering, read the complete Hoya care guide.