Hoya kerrii: flower, growth & care of the sweetheart Hoya
The heart-shaped Hoya kerrii is a fantastic romantic gift. Here is our guide on caring for the hoya heart plant at home.
The Hoya heart plant is a great alternative to the traditional red rose on Valentine’s Day, and is a particularly long-lasting token of love. Here, you will learn how to care for Hoya kerrii and propagate it at home.
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Hoya kerrii: origin and characteristics
As a romantic Valentine’s Day gift, the Hoya heart plant (Hoya kerrii) is a delightful alternative to the classic red rose (Rosa). Known also as the sweetheart Hoya plant, lucky heart, or sometimes, the wax plant, Hoya heart plants belong to the milkweed family (Asclepiadoideae), which is a subfamily of the dogbane genus (Apocynaceae). Do be careful, however; the porcelain flower (Hoya carnosa) is also called the wax plant, but is a totally different species. Hoya kerrii originates from mountainous regions of China and Java, one of the largest Indonesian islands.
This climbing, herbaceous plant can grow up to four metres high. Its smooth, pale green stem is covered with pairs of leaves that grow opposite one another and remain on the plant throughout winter. Each heart-shaped leaf has a 2cm long stalk and a thick, plain leaf blade that is about 12cm wide and 10cm long. The leaves are the reason for the Hoya’s name: Hoya heart plant, and why it makes such a popular gift on Valentine’s Day.
Hoya kerrii flowers between March and July. The striking flower clusters (or umbels) are about 5cm wide and consist of about 25 flowers attached to a single inflorescence. The flowers have white sepals and red, fuzzy-haired petals. They tend to produce a lot of red-brown nectar, although the nectar is usually odourless. Hoya heart flowers take around two weeks to open.
Hoya kerrii varieties
There are three particularly special varieties of the Hoya heart plant:
- Hoya kerrii ‘Albomarginata’: striking, white, variegated leaves; more common than other varieties.
- Hoya kerrii ‘Variegata’: leaves have a prominent yellow border and turn green towards the centre; less common.
- Hoya kerrii ‘Reverse Variegata’: leaves have green borders that gradually turn yellow towards the centre; also called ‘Yellow Splash’; less common.
Hoya kerrii care tips
Hoya heart plants prefer bright locations, but avoid direct sunlight, as this can burn the leaves. Given its tropical origins, the plant thrives in humid, warm temperatures – around 21°C is ideal. A bright bathroom is a perfect location for Hoya kerrii.
Spray the plant regularly with water to increase the humidity. Hoya heart plants grow between March and October, when they can reside outside in partial or full shade. During winter, however, move the plant indoors. It should be cool but bright, 10°C to 15°C is fine. Remember: Hoya kerrii is very sensitive to frost.
For the perfect growing conditions, plant your Hoya heart plant with cactus soil. If you can’t find any, you can make your own from all-purpose compost, quartz sand, pumice and expanded clay. Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost will work well as a base; it is produced sustainably, without peat, and provides the plants with lots of nutrition.
Mix your own cactus soil: Mix about 50% all-purpose soil with 20% quartz sand, 20% expanded clay and 10% primary rock flour from basalt or granite. You should have a loose, slightly acidic and well-aerated soil that can store water well and does not waterlog.
During summer, water your Hoya plant regularly with rainwater – the plants are very sensitive to lime. To avoid waterlogging, ensure the soil has good drainage, and wait for it to dry out each time before you water it.
Hoya kerrii will also appreciate fertiliser every three to four weeks. Ideally, apply a liquid fertiliser as you water. This will provide instant nourishment, and make the plant lush, green and vigorous. Our Plantura Liquid Houseplant Food, which promotes healthy root growth and an active soil life, is a great choice.
- Perfect for a wide variety of houseplants & foliage plants
- Liquid fertiliser for robust plants & healthy growth
- Quick & easy application - child & pet friendly
You can guide your Hoya kerrii vine with a support, or alternatively, place it in a hanging basket, if it starts to grow too tall. In any case, you will probably have to repot your Hoya heart plant every two years. Repot your plant in early spring, between February and March. The new pot should not be too large, and must provide good drainage. To repot a Hoya heart plant, remove a little of the old soil from the root ball and place the plant in the new pot. Carefully cover it with soil and press down lightly.
Hoya kerrii does not need pruning. Just remove any diseased or stunted parts as and when is necessary. New buds will form on the old flower heads each year, so there is no need to remove them.
How to propagate Hoya kerrii
To propagate Hoya kerrii, you need only take cuttings. To do this, cut one leaf from the plant, and put it into fresh, sowing soil, such as our Plantura Organic Herb & Seedling Compost. With regular watering, roots will start to form, and the leaf will grow. Once the first roots of the Hoya heart plant appear at the bottom of the pot, it is ready for repotting. This time, in cactus soil.
Is Hoya kerrii poisonous?
The plant sap and the flower heads of Hoya kerrii are slightly poisonous. Particularly for birds, only a little is needed for symptoms to display: gastrointestinal problems, vomiting and diarrhoea. Touching the Hoya kerrii, however, is harmless.
Think the classic red rose is the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day? Then it is good to know which red rose varieties are best!
