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Have you ever seen a wax flower? If so, what did you think of it?
Were you intrigued by its beauty? Wax flowers are a popular choice for home gardens and landscaping projects. You’ll realize just how interesting they are when you learn about them!
What is a Wax flower?
This flower is a beautiful and fragrant bloom native to Australia. The flower gets its name from the waxy texture of its petals. Wax flowers are available in various colours, including white, pink, purple, and red.
Its appearance is somewhat similar to that of a daisy, and wax flowers make excellent cut flowers. It is called a Wax flower because of the wax-like substance on the petals. The plant is a herbaceous perennial and can grow to about 3 feet. It has lance-shaped leaves, which are dark green. The stems of the wax flower are slightly woody.
History of Wax flower
This flower was introduced to Europe in the early 19th century. It is native to Australia and gets its name from the waxy texture of its flowers. The waxflower is a member of the myrtle family, including eucalyptus and tea trees.
Waxflowers are grown commercially for the cut flower industry in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. The waxflower is popular for wedding bouquets and other floral arrangements because of its long-lasting blooms.
Meaning of Waxflower
Waxflower means can be traced back to the Victorian era. Back then, this bloom was used as a wax filler for making candles. People would go into the bush, pick the flowers and boil them until the wax seeped. Once it cooled, they’d use it to make their candles at home.
Waxflower symbolizes purity and innocence. Righteousness because of the colour of its blossoms and innocence because waxflower is often used in baby showers and christenings.
Types Of Wax Flowers
- Brabant waxflower (Gardenia brighamii)
- Emperor waxflower (Gardenia imperialism)
- Queen waxflower (Gardenia Reginae)
- Star waxflower (Gardenia sterculioides)
- Tuberous waxflower (Gardenia tubifera)
- Yellow waxflower (Gardenia jasminoides)
These Plants have their beauty and are commonly used in various settings such as weddings, funerals, and other events. Each type of wax flower has its unique appearance and meaning.
How to Grow and Care for Waxflower
To grow and care for this flower:
- Start by planting the seeds in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
- Water the seeds regularly, and thin them out once they’ve sprouted.
- When the flower is big enough to transplant, move it to an area with full sun and well-drained soil.
- Once it’s transplanted, water it regularly and fertilize it monthly.
- Waxflower generally blooms in late spring or early summer.
- To encourage more flowers, deadhead the spent blooms.
- Waxflower is generally a low-maintenance plant, but it can be susceptible to aphids and other pests.
Growing conditions
It prefers well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant. Once established, it does not require much water. The flower can be grown as a shrub or small tree. It has dark green leaves, and white or pink flowers bloom in spring and summer.
These flowers are low-maintenance plants that are relatively pest and disease free. They can be propagated from seeds or cuttings.
Light & Temperature
The light requirements for these flowers are shallow. They will do just fine in bright, indirect sunlight or in a spot that receives several hours of daylight daily. If you live in a scorching climate, it’s best to give your wax flower some afternoon shade to prevent the leaves from burning.
Watering and Feeding
Water them regularly, but do not allow them to sit in water. Feed it with a balanced fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.
Soil & Transplanting
These flowers grow best in well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH.
- If you transplant your flower, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and only as deep.
- This will help encourage new root growth.
- Water the plant deeply after transplanting.
Grooming and Maintenance
These flowers are effortless to take care of. They don’t require a lot of water or attention. You can deadhead the spent blooms as they occur, and that’s all that is needed in terms of maintenance. These plants are also relatively pest and disease free, so you shouldn’t have any problems with them.
Regular grooming is a must if you want to keep your wax flower looking its best. As mentioned earlier, deadheading spent blooms is essential. It would be best if you also trimmed back any leggy or overgrown stems from time to time to encourage new growth. Other than that, sit back and enjoy the beauty of these flowers!
Pest or Diseases
They are relatively disease resistant but can be susceptible to fungal infections if grown in humid or wet conditions. Some common diseases affecting wax flowers include powdery mildew, rust, and leaf spot.
To prevent these diseases, plant wax flowers in well-drained soil and avoid overhead watering. If you notice any signs of illness, remove affected leaves and flowers and destroy them.
How To Grow Waxflower Plants
To grow these plants,
- Start by planting the seeds in soil that’s been loosened and had any large clumps broken up.
- If you’re growing them indoors, put the pots in a sunny spot.
- Water regularly, making sure the soil is moist but not soggy.
- When the plants are big enough to handle, thin them out, so there’s only one per pot.
- Once they’re big enough, you can transplant them into your garden.
- Pinch back the stems to encourage bushiness.
- These plants are generally low maintenance and aren’t susceptible to many pests or diseases.
- They will bloom from late spring through early summer.
- To keep the plants blooming, deadhead the spent flowers.
- The plants are drought tolerant once they’re established.
How To Grow Wax Flowers In A Pot
To grow in a pot:
- Start by planting the wax flower in a small pool with drainage holes.
- Next, water the wax flower regularly, but do not keep the soil too wet.
- Fertilize the wax flower every two weeks during the growing season.
- When the wax flower is done blooming, cut back on the watering and fertilizing.
- Finally, repot the wax flower every two to three years.
Use of Wax Flowers in bouquets
They have a solid fragrance, making them perfect for use in bouquets and arrangements. Flowers are also known for retaining their colour and shape for a long time after being cut, making them a popular choice for fresh and dried arrangements.
Other uses for Wax Flowers
- Flower oil is used as a fragrance in soaps and candles.
- The oil has a light floral scent that is similar to jasmine.
- The flowers can be used as a natural insecticide.
- The oil from the flower repels insects such as mosquitoes.
- The petals of flowers can be used to make a natural dye.
- Flowers can be used in potpourri or sachets.
- Dried flowers can be added to floral arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wax Flower
Where does a wax flower grow best?
A wax flower grows best in a humid environment. You can place it in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or on a windowsill that gets a lot of suns.
You can also increase the humidity in your home by using a humidifier. If you live in a dry climate, you may need to use a humidifier year-round to keep your home’s humidity level between 40% and 60%.
What is a wax flower used for?
A wax flower is used for many things. It can be used as a filler in bouquets, dried and used in arrangements, or placed in a vase by itself.
One of the reasons why these flowers are so popular is because they last for a long time. They don’t wilt like many other types of flowers, so they make great additions to arrangements that will be displayed for a long time. Plus, their bright colours add a splash of brightness to any setting.
Why is it called wax flower?
It is called a wax flower because the petals are covered in a thin layer of waxy substance. This helps protect the flower from becoming too dry or being eaten by insects.
The waxy substance is also what gives the petals their glossy appearance.
Are wax flowers fragrant?
Yes, they are fragrant. They have a sweet, floral aroma often used in perfumes and other fragrances.
What does wax flower symbolize?
This flower symbolizes purity, innocence, and virginity. They are often used in wedding bouquets to represent these virtues. Additionally, wax flowers can also symbolize innocence and modesty.
How long do wax flowers last?
The flower can last for a few weeks, but they may start to droop after a while.
If you want to make your flowers last longer, you can place them in a vase of cold water and change the water every other day. You can also put them in the fridge or freezer to slow down their wilting process.
Are wax flowers easy to grow?
Yes, they are easy to grow. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun to part shade. You can propagate wax flowers by taking stem cuttings in late winter or early spring.
How often do you water wax flowers?
It depends on the climate and the type. It would help if you generally watered them when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. If it’s a hot, humid climate, you may need to water them more often; if it’s a dry climate, you may need to water them less often.
Ensure to avoid getting water on the buds or flowers themselves, as this can cause them to rot. Instead, focus on watering the soil around the plants.
Why is my wax flower dying?
Your flower may die because of too much or too little sunlight. These flowers need bright, indirect light to thrive. If they’re getting too much sun, they may be scorched; if they’re not getting enough light, they may become leggy and weak.
Another possibility is that your plant is not getting enough water. These flowers like to dry out slightly between waterings, so you should wait until the soil feels barely damp before watering again. Overwatering can also be deadly to wax flowers.
How much sun does a wax flower need?
These flowers need a lot of sun! They will perform best if they receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. If you can’t provide that much sunlight, be sure to place your wax flower plants in a spot where they will receive plenty of indirect light.
