Hoya kerrii has many unusual names, such as ‘Sweetheart hoya‘ or ‘Valentine cactus plant’. This is due to the original shape of its leaves – in the shape of a heart. The symbolic plant is often presented as a gift to loved ones, especially since, according to Chinese legends, it brings love and peace to the house. The beautiful appearance makes this tropical plant a favorite of flower growers.
Hoya Kerrii Types
- Hoya kerrii ‘Spot Leaf’. It is distinguished by original foliage, decorated with specks and dots of a lighter shade.
- Hoya kerrii ‘Variegata’ is a very unusual member of the species. It is also called variegated since on the leaf, there are changes in the yellow tint.
- Hoya kerrii ‘Albomarginata’. This flower is distinguished by a luxurious edging along the edge of the leaves, which is lighter in tone than the main color.
- Hoya kerrii ‘Spot Center’. A characteristic feature of this species is the elongated structure of the leaves and the accumulation of spots in the middle.
- Hoya kerrii ‘Spot Margin’. The shape is usual for a representative of this species, it is distinguished by its light border and dark middle.
All subspecies have very fleshy leaves, which is why the veins are practically not visible. They have the shape of an inverted heart with a length of 2-6 inches, the width varies within the same range.
Hoya heart plant flowers reach up to 1 inch in diameter. Their white color can be diluted with yellow or pinkish. The inflorescence is umbellate. The light intensity changes the brightness of the colors. As the plant ages, it produces more nectar, which gives the flowers a darker tone. When flowering, hoya gives off a persistent aroma.
Now that we have got to know this amazing plant better, let’s find out how to care for the hoya heart plant.
Benefits of Growing A Hoya Kerrii
One of the main things that the Sweetheart Plant is known for is its leaves that are shaped like tiny hearts. While this is a plant that can grow on vines, it is typically found in individual cuttings with a single leaf is potted and given as a Valentine’s Day gift. While the Sweetheart plant is adorable in its “miniature” version, you can’t really grow vines if the cut leaf doesn’t have a stem (more on that, later in the article).
Aside from being a plant suitable for people who want to give a different gift on the most romantic day of the year, it’s also a plant suitable for beginners because it doesn’t require any intensive care. That means that even if you’re new to this whole plant owner thing, you can have a Sweetheart Plant that thrives with the basic care rules that we’re about to show you.
How to Grow Hoya
The key to growing good hoyas is emulating the fast drainage their roots experience when anchored in a cleft in a tree: in other words, soggy compost is the enemy. Allowing the growing medium to dry out between waterings helps, but the key is potting plants in a porous mix: I tend to use two parts peat-free Melcourt SylvaGrow to one part perlite and one part finely milled orchid bark, but every grower has their own recipe. Many hoyas will be happy with bright indirect light, but do some research if you buy a new plant, as their light requirements vary: Hoya kerrii needs lots of sunshine, whereas Hoya linearis likes partial shade.
So what’s not to like about these plants? Perhaps their Achilles’ heel is the propensity for the flowers to drip nectar; Hoya kerrii, with red nectar that stains soft furnishings, is one of the worst offenders. But I’m happy to put a sheet under the flowers to catch the drips. It’s a price worth paying for these stunning plants.
Light: Bright, indirect light year-round. Don’t have a sunny spot? Artificial grow lights work beautifully. Put your Hoya plant about 8 inches (20 cm) beneath the light and keep the lights on for about 14 hours a day. It’s also important to give them darkness at night. Plants need a rest, too.
Water: Water thoroughly spring through fall, allowing potting mix to dry out a bit between waterings. This succulent won’t tolerate soggy soil. Be sure to use a pot with drainage holes and empty the drainage tray. Use room-temperature water for your houseplants; cold water can shock them. In winter, water sparingly giving the plant just enough to keep the mix from drying out completely. Brown or wrinkled leaves indicate the plant is too dry.
Humidity: Give this tropical evergreen plant at least 40% relative humidity year-round. If your indoor air is dry in the winter months, boost the humidity with a cool-mist room humidifier. Keeping a humidity gauge near your houseplant will help; indoor humidity can drop drastically in winter, without our noticing it.
Temperature: Average to warm room temperatures (65-80°F/18-27°C) year-round. It will tolerate a minimum of 50°F/10°C. Keep Hoya kerrii out of drafts and away from heat/AC vents.
Soil: Grow in a good-quality, all-purpose potting mix
Fertilizer: Feed monthly spring through fall with a water-soluble fertilizer specially made for succulents, diluted by half.
How to Propagate Hoyas
Stem cuttings are easy to strike from most Hoya species, provided you follow a few simple rules. Remove a stem from the plant and divide it into sections, cutting so that you end up with two leaf nodes (the point where the leaf joins the stem), one at either end of each section. Remove the lower leaves and place into a glass of water or pot of damp compost with added perlite, and cover with a clear plastic bag to raise humidity. Within weeks, cuttings should start rooting to make a new plant, and you can offer admirers a baby plant of their own to take home.