Sweetheart hoya guide
Hoya kerrii, also called Hoya kerrii, valentine hoya, lucky heart
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- When the soil is almost dry
- Humidity
- Average room air is fine. Thin-leaved types like more.
- Temperature
- 16 to 27°C (60 to 80°F). Keep above 10°C (50°F).
- Soil
- Chunky mix of potting soil, orchid bark, and perlite
- Feeding
- Half-strength fertilizer monthly in spring and summer
- Pets
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Mature size
- Vines trail or climb 1 to 3 m (3 to 10 ft)
- Propagation
- Stem cuttings with a node, rooted in water or moss
- Where to buy
- Common
This page covers what makes sweetheart hoya different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the hoya care guide.
What it is
Sweetheart hoya, Hoya kerrii, has thick, fleshy leaves shaped like hearts. It is often sold as a single leaf in a tiny pot around Valentine’s Day. As a full vine, it climbs or trails with heart-shaped leaves along the stem and can bloom with clusters of creamy, star-shaped flowers. Select-A-Plant lists it as a cascading vine that can trail to 4 m (13 ft).
The single-leaf problem
A single heart leaf stuck in soil roots, and it can live for years. But unless the cutting includes a node, the spot where the leaf meets the stem, it will never grow a vine. It stays one leaf. If you want a plant that grows, buy one with a stem, or check that the leaf has a bit of stem at its base.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetheart hoya | Thick, fleshy, heart-shaped | Clear heart shape with a notch at the top |
| Hoya obovata | Round, thick, silver speckles | Round, not heart-shaped |
| Wax plant | Oval, pointed | Pointed oval leaves |
Care differences
Its thick leaves hold a lot of water. Let the soil get almost dry before you water. It grows slow, slower than wax plant.
Variegated forms, with cream edges or centers, are common too. They need brighter light.
Grow it from a cutting
Cut a vine with at least one node and a leaf or two. Root it in moist sphagnum or a chunky mix. Roots form in three to six weeks.
Buying it
Single-leaf sweetheart hoyas are sold everywhere in February. Buy one as a cute leaf, not as a growing plant. For a vine, look for a pot with stems at plant shops or garden centers.