Hoya Kerrii
Hoya Kerrii care is an easy Hoya to grow and care for. If you want a houseplant that will trail with heart-shaped leaves but won’t get too big, a sweetheart Hoya may be the plant for you!
To give this Hoya plant the best care, it requires airy soil that drains well, allow the soil to dry out before watering, provide it with bright direct sunlight, temperatures ranging from 60-80F, and average humidity levels.
Quick Care Overview
| Common Name | Sweetheart Hoya |
| Scientific Name | Hoya Kerrii |
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Origin | Philippines |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Identification | Climbing vine with heart-shaped waxy leaves |
| Height | Up to 13 feet in length |
| Soil | Well aerated, good draining soil |
| Water | Allow top two inches to dryout before watering |
| Temperature | 60-80F |
| Sunlight | Bright direct sunlight |
| Toxic to Cats & Dogs | No |
| Toxic to Humans | No |
| Pests | Scale, spider mites, mealybugs, aphids |
| Diseases | Root rot, botrytis blight |
Below we will dive deep into this Hoya Kerrii care guide.
Hoya Kerrii History
Hoya Kerrii is a unique hoya with thick heart-shaped leaves, earning it its common names, the valentines Hoya, sweetheart vine, and the lucky heart plant. These tropical vining semi-succulents become very popular around Valentine’s Day and may be hard to find. This Philippian native is also known for its air-purifying properties.
Hoya Kerrii Identification
Hoya Kerri is a climbing vine with heart-shaped waxy foliage. These unique plants are becoming increasingly hard to find. Heart-shaped leaves may become up to 6cm wide and may each be individually rooted to create a single leaf heart-shaped hoya. However, it should be noted that rooted single-leaf Hoya’s will not vine. The leaves of this succulent are bright green and may be variegated, depending on the variety.
Hoya Kerrii Growth Facts
Hoya Kerrii is notoriously slow-growing and will be happy to be left alone on a windowsill to grow.
How Big Does a Hoya Kerrii Get?
Hoya Kerrii can grow up to 13 feet long.
Hoya Kerrii Care
When caring for Hoya Kerrii, it is essential to ensure that they get a lot of sun, little water, and well-draining soil. These succulents thrive on neglect and will be happy only to be watered every few weeks.
Hoya Kerrii Soil
Being an epiphyte, Hoya Kerrii prefers to be grown in a very airy growing medium with excellent drainage. A mixture of potting soil, perlite, orchid bark, and sand will be perfect for your Hoya.
Hoya Kerrii Fertilizer
During the warm growing season of spring and summer, you should provide your Hoya with a monthly feeding from a balanced liquid fertilizer during active growth. Ensure that you follow all label instructions.
Hoya Kerrii Watering
When it comes to Hoya Kerrii, you should allow the soil to dry thoroughly before rewatering. Being a vining semi-succulent, Hoya Kerrii holds on to water and is drought-tolerant due to their thick water-storing leaves. You should water your Hoya when leaves start to thin and look wrinkled.
Hoya Kerrii Light Requirements
Your Hoya requires a lot of bright, direct light and should be laced near a southern or western facing window. Alternatively, if you cannot provide your plant with several hours of bright, direct sunlight, you may choose to keep it under a grow light to keep it happy. While this Hoya will tolerate lower light conditions, it may lead to loss of variegation, legginess, and growth to be halted.
Hoya Kerrii Temperature & Humidity
Your Hoya will thrive in warm, humid conditions and does best when kept between 60 to 80 degrees. Do not expose your Hoya to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, as this may cause permanent damage. Typically, Hoya Kerrii will tolerate average household humidity levels, but this plant will benefit from additional humidity, such as from a humidifier or pebble tray.
Repotting Hoya Kerrii
You should repot your Hoya every 2-3 years. Keep in mind that your Hoya will like to remain slightly rootbound and should not be given a container that is too large as this will cause added stress. Repot your plant and refresh the soil. Water thoroughly and place your plant into indirect light.
Hoya Kerrii Maintenance & Pruning
Hoya Kerrii may be pruned annually in early spring to maintain its length and overall appearance. Cut stems may be easily rooted and propagated. In early spring, cut lengthy tendrils using sharp, sterilized shears.
Hoya Kerrii Propagation
Your Hoya Kerrii may be easily propagated from stem cuttings. To take a cutting, take a sharp, clean pair of shears and take a cutting with at least three nodes. Next, remove the bottom leaves from the stems, place the cut end of the cuttings into water, and place them in indirect, bright light. Within a few weeks, roots should appear. Plant them into soil in their own container after the roots have become 1-2 inches long. Keep the cuttings moist for a few weeks until well established.
Hoya Kerrii Toxicity
Hoya Kerrii is not considered toxic to humans, cats, or dogs.
Toxicity to Humans
While considered non-toxic, this plant should not be ingested. Hoya Kerrii when injured produces a latex substance that may be irritating to the skin.
Toxicity to Cats & Dogs
Hoya Kerrii is considered non-toxic to pets but should not be ingested, as it may cause stomach upset to your pet.
Hoya Kerrii Problems
Hoya Kerrii Leaves Turning Yellow
Foliage of Hoya Kerrii may turn yellow due to various reasons. The plant’s foliage may turn yellow due to pests, disease, overwatering, inadequate lighting, nutrient deficiency, or temperature fluctuations.
Hoya Kerrii Leaves Turning Brown
When leaves of your Hoya Kerrii turn brown, it is often due to underwatering and indicates that your plant is needing more moisture.
Hoya Kerrii Diseases
Your Hoya may become susceptible to several plant diseases, especially if it is receiving too much water. Hoya plants are specifically susceptible to root rot and Botrytis blight.
Hoya Kerrii Pests
Hoya Kerrii may become susceptible to pests like many other indoor houseplants. Keep an eye out for scale, aphids, spider mites, or mealybugs. Upon identifying pests, treat your plant with a pesticide, ensuring that you follow all label instructions.Â
