Although sweetheart hoya maintenance is simple and straightforward, the plant has some preferences for its growth environment.
This Valentine hoya can handle little shade, but not complete darkness. The plant does better and has a higher chance of blooming in direct or strong sunshine, though. Maintaining a room’s temperature between 15 and 26 C or 60 to 80 F is recommended.
Sweetheart hoya is comparatively drought-tolerant and can survive with as few as one or two waterings per month thanks to its plump, succulent leaves. When the soil feels just barely dry to the touch, water deeply and then allow the container to completely drain.
Wet, sluggish soil can lead to lethal rot even though it should never become bone dry. Make careful you place the sweetheart hoya in a container with a drainage hole.
Sweetheart hoya just needs a small amount of fertilizer and is a light feeder. It is sufficient to mix 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) of a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer in a gallon (4 L) of water. During the growing season, feed the plant once each month, and stop feeding it in the winter.
Try exposing a mature plant to stronger light or colder nighttime temps if it doesn’t blossom.
How long does a Hoya heart take to develop?
If you just bought your plant and haven’t spotted any blooms, that’s okay because hoya kerrii often don’t bloom until they’re at least 2 to 3 years old. There are a few things you can do to expedite the process and promote blooming, though.
Hoya kerrii: Is it a cactus?
Due to its low maintenance requirements and heart-shaped leaves, the Hoya kerrii makes a stylish houseplant. Because of its heart-shaped leaves, this species of Hoya is known by names like “sweetheart plant,” “lucky-heart plant,” and “love heart plant.” On Valentine’s Day, leaf cuttings growing in little pots are a common gift to represent love and dedication. Although they are succulents and not cacti, these heart-shaped plants are frequently referred to as such. They thrive in the majority of indoor conditions and require very little maintenance.
Hoya kerrii needs just occasional watering and thrives in bright, direct sunshine and loose, well-draining soil. Maintain these succulent heart plants at a 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C) temperature range with a medium humidity level. Up to four times a year throughout the growing season, fertilize.
A kind of climbing vine in the genus Hoya known as wax plants is the hoya heart plant. The long, trailing stems, which can be up to 13 feet (4 meters) long, bear the thick, succulent heart-shaped leaves. The average heart leaf is 2.3 (6 cm) wide, and it roots readily in the soil to form a distinctive plant with a heart-shaped shape.
It might be challenging to locate mature Hoya Kerrii plants. These “lucky heart plants,” if you can locate them, are typically exceedingly expensive. Most people have seen lover hoyas growing in little pots as a single, large leaf. Rarely do these slow-growing novelty plants enlarge the cutting in the pot. A stem cutting is required to reproduce a vining Hoya kerrii.
The most popular hoya heart plant has succulent leaves that have a perfect heart shape and are bright green. Green and creamy-yellow leaves are variegated on several Hoya Kerrii varieties. The variegated Sweetheart Hoya and the Hoya Kerrii “Reverse Variegata” are the two most popular varieties of lucky-heart plants. The succulent leaves of the Hoya kerrii ‘Splash’ are decorated with light green specks.
Do succulents with hearts grow?
Even if it was a stem cutting, it will take a very long time for your plant to develop into a luxuriant adult because they grow so slowly. However, it’s likely that you’ll only keep this adorable tiny leaf—which is ideal for your desk at work—for a few years before it passes away.
How large are Hoya hearts?
An epiphytic plant called Hoya kerrii climbs and twines as it develops, affixing itself to trees with its aerial roots.
This species’ popular name, “heart leaf,” refers to its heart-shaped leaves “Heart leaf hoya, sweetheart hoya, and Valentine hoya.
The plant’s large, succulent leaves enable it to store water during dry spells.
Long, smooth vines have oppositely growing leaves that are smooth and start out incredibly small.
The vines of H. kerrii are quite thick and can occasionally be quite stiff in comparison to many other hoya species.
Sweetheart hoya grows long-lasting, fragrant, and spectacular flower clusters that are simple to nurture to bloom inside. Each of its blossoms has a core that is creamy white with a rusty hue.
These five-petal flowers have a star-like shape and are waxy, possibly explaining another of this plant’s common names, “wax heart ”.
Valentine hoyas can grow incredibly slowly. They occasionally do nothing for years before ultimately sprouting new growth.
But once they’re in a good mood and ready to expand, their vines may grow to astounding lengths of at least 10 feet.
This kind of hoya will grow long tendrils that are initially naked, like many other hoyas. These elongated tendrils have a climbing function, enabling the trees to naturally ascend higher into the forest canopy.
Feeding
If the plant is little or only has one leaf, minimal feeding is needed. Most likely twice a year. You can feed your plant a little bit more if it’s older or if a leaf is producing new shoots. Even so, you shouldn’t do it more frequently than four times a year. The Sweetheart Plant does not consume a lot of food.
Temperature
Most interior temperatures are comfortable. The ideal growing temperature range is between 18C and 27C/65F and 80F since if it becomes too cold, growth will decrease or stop.
Repotting
Many Hoya owners disagree on this issue. There are numerous general schools of thinking, but they all adhere to the same “rules”:
- The soil mixture must have good free drainage and little rich organic matter.
- In general, plants in small pots that are root- or pot-bound are more likely to bloom (this only applies to mature plants with many leaves).
- No matter how big or young the plant is, it won’t mature if the pot is too small.
- It is much more likely for a large pot of plants with only one leaf to decay due to unintentional overwatering, therefore avoid doing it.
After breaking everything down into understandable examples from real-world situations:
- Only when there is fresh development can young plants with one leaf begin to be repotted.
- Every two years, young plants with few leaves should be repotted, each time going into a slightly larger container.
- At most every two years, mature plants with numerous leaves should be replanted, each time putting them up into a somewhat larger container.
Propagation
The good news is that it’s incredibly simple to reproduce this plant, should you wish to do so. Copy the ZZ Plant’s propagation technique. The bad news is that the new plants can take several months (or even longer), exactly like the ZZ Plant, before they begin to show signs of fresh development.
After about a month, if the leaves haven’t turned yellow or begun to wrinkle and shrivel up, the “cutting” has definitely “taken.” Which implies you now possess Hoya kerrii in its common form, which is available for purchase in numerous stores.
In the big picture, propagation isn’t the ideal route to go if you want a mature plant with plenty of leaves or one that can flower soon. Instead, you’ll need to spend a lot of money to get one.
Speed of Growth
Early on in a new plant’s life, growth is frequently slow to begin, and even after it does, it proceeds slowly. However, once it has a strong root system, “vines” will swiftly emerge on which new leaves will grow.
A very real possibility exists that your plant will remain in this state forever if it has just one leaf and no stem. Only rarely, and typically after several years, do Hoya kerrii leaves growing on their own give birth to new shoots. The growth rate will, of course, be zero if you actually have a non-grower.
Your plant may remain in that form for all time if you have just one leaf.
Height / Spread
Nowadays, a small plant is the most typical indoor form, but given time and the right conditions, your Hoya will spread out and take up a sizable amount of room.
Flowers
On more mature plants, you can anticipate a stunning annual show. In the summer, blooms with a profusion of tiny flowers arranged in a star pattern are frequently seen. They truly stand out and catch the eye because of the color contrast. Another frequent odor emanating from the blossoms is a subtle yet potent scent.
Anything Else?
Assuming you have a mature plant or a young plant with multiple leaves (anyone with a single leaf plant should save this website and check back in a year or two! Most likely, you’ve already spotted the vines that emerge from the plant’s inside.
Older vines are gray and frequently seem and feel “woody.” The majority of this rigidity comes from lignin created to sustain a large climbing plant (out in their natural habitat they tend to grow up and up). These vines gradually become thicker and more rigid, making training and bending nearly impossible.
The simple solution is to train the vines while they are still tender and growing, possibly over a little pot trellis, so that you get the precise framework you desire right away.
But what if you inherited an older specimen or failed to teach the plant when it was young?
You do, however, still have some limited influence over training. The plant will stretch and lose a small amount of rigidity if it becomes severely dehydrated, which means it hasn’t had water in a while. Although it isn’t much and reckless bending will harm the plant, you can try to shape the plant if you’re not satisfied with how it now looks.
What is a succulent with a heart shape?
Because of its heart-shaped green leaves, the Hoya kerrii is also known as the Hoya Heart. This one-leaf cutting is a cute, quirky way to express your passion for plants. It lacks a node but is largely rooted. It will continue to be an endearing heart-shaped leaf for many years.
- Since every plant is different and its size and shape varies seasonally, all measurements are given as a range.
- Mini plant height from the soil line to the top of the leaves is between 23″ and 24″ tall.
- arrives in your chosen planter, snuggled in a nursery grow pot.
Water in direct sunlight every two to three weeks, letting the soil dry up in between applications. In brighter light, water more frequently, and in less-bright light, less frequently.
Because of its heart-shaped leaves, the Hoya kerrii is also known as the Hoya Heart. Until it becomes established, this one leaf cutting will grow slowly because it is only half rooted.
It is guaranteed that your plants will be happy and healthy when they arrive. If not, we will gladly replace them.
Just get in touch with us and provide a picture within 30 days after receiving your item. Study More.
Can Hoya be multiplied from a leaf?
What is the most effective strategy to spread Hoyas? Hoyas are most frequently propagated through leaf and stem cuttings, layering, and seedling growth. Leaf and stem cuttings are the most effective method of Hoya propagation since it is not only simple but also inexpensive.
Are Hoya kerrii plants sluggish to grow?
There is no magic mix, but some people prefer their own unique combinations. As long as your mix has adequate drainage and dries up pretty quickly, there is no such thing as a magic mix.
FERTILIZER
Hoyas, especially the variegated Hoya kerrii, grow quite slowly and don’t require a lot of fertilizer.
Dyna-Gro Grow is my preferred all-purpose fertilizer, and you can get it on Amazon.
Get this fertilizer if you want to use just one for all of your houseplants. The outcomes of utilizing this fantastic, premium fertilizer on my houseplants have exceeded my expectations.
If you apply this fertilizer, there won’t ever be any nutrient deficits because it contains all the micro and macro nutrients that plants require.
Observe the label’s usage instructions, however I fertilize from roughly March to October.
Want to purchase a Hoya kerrii? Etsy is one of my favorite and most practical one-stop shopping for plants. Browse the Hoya kerrii collection (link to Etsy). You won’t be let down!
HUMIDITY
Hoyas are typically tropical plants that develop as epiphytes in Asia’s tropical regions. They enjoy humidity, then! But they are extraordinarily resilient to typical indoor humidity.
But if you have forced air heat, it’s always a good idea to raise the humidity for your Hoyas and other plants. The dryness of winter air can hurt your skin and your plants.
In my sunroom, where I keep a lot of my plants, I keep a humidifier running all winter. In the link I provided above, I discuss my preferred humidifier.
SUPPORT
Growing these plants is beautiful since you can exhibit them in a variety of ways. They can be used as hanging plants, or you can add a support if you want something more structural.
Since they are epiphytes and rely on tree trunks and branches for support, if you provide them a support, it will be more like how they grow in nature.
Many people use U-shaped bamboo supports that are easily placed into the pot to train their hoya plants. With a little time and attention, you can train and attach the vine to the support as it grows and have a wonderful plant!