Rutaceae
Pink wax flower: Complete Care Guide
Eriostemon australasius
A beautiful but somewhat touchy shrub. Give it a semi-shaded spot and very free-draining sandy or sandy-loam soil, acid to neutral. Keep the soil from drying out for long periods, but never let it become waterlogged, since poor drainage leads to root rot, its only real problem. It handles at least moderate frost. Prune lightly after flowering for a denser bush and more flowers next season. Where garden soil does not suit it, grow it in a pot of native potting mix.
Every 7 days
Partial shade
° - °C
% - %
Categories
What is Pink wax flower?
Pink wax flower (Eriostemon australasius) is a medium-care plant from the Rutaceae family. Eriostemon australasius, the pink wax flower, is an upright, fairly stiff evergreen shrub in the citrus family (Rutaceae), native to eastern Australia: mainly coastal New South Wales, from Lake Conjola north to Fraser Island in Queensland, with inland populations on the tablelands. It grows in heath...
Pink wax flower grows up to 2.0m, spread of 100cm, watering every 7 days. It is not suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many popular species, Pink wax flower is safe to keep around pets.
How to Care for Pink wax flower?
TLDR: Pink wax flower needs Partial shade, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between 15-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Pink wax flower?
Water about once a week in dry weather, more often in pots and in summer, so the soil never stays dry for long. Let excess water drain away completely: it does not tolerate wet feet.
How Much Light Does Pink wax flower Need?
Light to half shade, such as dappled light under taller shrubs or morning sun with afternoon shade. It grows and flowers well in part shade.
What Is the Best Soil for Pink wax flower?
Well-drained sandy to sandy-loam soil, acid to neutral. Avoid heavy clay or any spot where water pools; raised beds help in heavier soils.
What Pot Should You Use for Pink wax flower?
A pot of at least 30 cm with good drainage holes, filled with a quality potting mix for Australian native plants (low phosphorus). Do not leave it standing in a saucer of water.
What Is Pink wax flower and Where Does It Come From?
Eriostemon australasius, the pink wax flower, is an upright, fairly stiff evergreen shrub in the citrus family (Rutaceae), native to eastern Australia: mainly coastal New South Wales, from Lake Conjola north to Fraser Island in Queensland, with inland populations on the tablelands. It grows in heath, shrubland and dry sclerophyll woodland, usually on sandstone and sandy soils. It is often under 1 m tall but can reach about 2 m and 1 m wide. The narrow, greyish to dark green leaves, 3 to 7 cm long, are dotted with oil glands. From late winter into spring it carries waxy, five-petalled star flowers up to 4 cm across, pale to mid pink with darker streaks, sometimes white, near the tips of the stems. In the wild it probably regenerates from seed after fire.
How to Propagate Pink wax flower?
Softwood cuttings
Cuttings are difficult to strike; take several to get a few plants. A selected clone that roots more readily and does better in gardens is sold by native nurseries.
- 1 Take short tip cuttings of new, firm growth after flowering
- 2 Remove the lower leaves and dip the base in rooting hormone
- 3 Insert into a sterile, very free-draining propagating mix (coarse sand and perlite)
- 4 Keep humid and warm, in bright indirect light, and pot up only once roots have formed
Materials needed:
Seed
Seed is notoriously hard to germinate, as in most of the citrus family; in nature the plant regenerates from seed after fire.
- 1 Collect ripe seed from the brown fruit segments
- 2 Sow on the surface of a free-draining native seed mix
- 3 Keep lightly moist and be patient: germination is slow and erratic
Materials needed:
How Big Does Pink wax flower Grow?
TLDR: Pink wax flower can reach up to 2.0m tall with Medium growth rate.
Max height
2.0m
Spread
1.0m
Foliage
Evergreen
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Pink wax flower?
TLDR: Pink wax flower is susceptible to 1 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Fieldcap | Medium | Low light | 2d | ⚠️ |
| Azalea | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | ⚠️ |
| Muriel's Bamboo | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | ✓ |
| Bougainvillea | Medium | Direct sun | 7d | ⚠️ |
