Pink Wax Flower Plant Care
Eriostemon australasius Pers.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Eriostemon australasius commonly known as pink wax flower is a plant in the citrus family Rutaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is an erect, bushy shrub with narrow oblong leaves and pink flowers with five petals in late winter and early spring.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Pink Wax Flower?
Plant Pink Wax Flower in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Pink Wax Flower Native To?
What Is the Pink Wax Flower?
Pink Wax Flower (Eriostemon australasius) belongs to the Rutaceae family within the Eriostemon genus. Pink Wax Flower is native to eastern Australia. Pink Wax Flower is also known as Native Star Flower.
Pink Wax Flower displays a compact, evergreen shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Pink Wax Flower produces small white or pink fragrant flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Pink Wax Flower?
Water a young or newly planted Pink Wax Flower every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Pink Wax Flower Need?
Pink Wax Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Pink Wax Flower Prefer?
Eriostemon australasius tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Pink Wax Flower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Pink Wax Flower?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Pink Wax Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Pink Wax Flower?
Feed Pink Wax Flower every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Pink Wax Flower?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Pink Wax Flower is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Pink Wax Flower?
Pink Wax Flower can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Pink Wax Flower?
Prune Pink Wax Flower while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Pink Wax Flower in Winter?
Pink Wax Flower is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Pink Wax Flower?
Pink Wax Flower can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to banks' wax flower plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Pink Wax Flower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Pink Wax Flower, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Pink Wax Flower?
Pink Wax Flower is susceptible to citrus whitefly, scale insects, aphids. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Pink Wax Flower Need?
Pink Wax Flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Pink Wax Flower is native to eastern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Pink Wax Flower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Pink Wax Flower is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Eriostemon genus — compare its care with other Eriostemon species on PlantoScan.
Eriostemon is part of the Rutaceae plant family — browse all Rutaceae genera and species.
Pink Wax Flower thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Eriostemon australasius Pers., family Rutaceae (first published in Syn. Pl. 1: 465 (1805)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Pink Wax Flower, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
