Hoya kerrii
sweetheart hoya
Southeast Asia — Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia
Overview
Hoya kerrii is the sweetheart hoya, a climbing wax vine reaching 48–120 inches (120–300 cm). Bright green thick succulent heart-shaped leaves 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) across on a twining vine. Single heart-shaped leaf cuttings are sold widely around Valentine's Day; however, single-leaf cuttings without a stem node typically survive for years as a solitary leaf but do not produce new growth — a node is required for vine development. A full vine with multiple leaves requires a cutting that includes at least one stem node. Fragrant waxy star-shaped flowers in white to pale pink with dark pink-red centers form in ball-shaped clusters (umbels) on mature vines after 3–5 years. Flower peduncles must not be removed after blooming — Hoya spp. species rebloom repeatedly from the same peduncle over multiple years. Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Drought-tolerant due to the succulent leaf tissue. Slow-growing. Native to Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia). Allow soil to dry between waterings; overwatering causes root rot in the semi-epiphytic root system.
Native Range
Hoya kerrii is native to Southeast Asia — Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia.Suggested Uses
Grown as a climbing vine on a trellis or moss pole in containers of 2–3 gallons (8–12 liters) in bright indirect light. The single heart-leaf form serves as a novelty gift but does not grow without a node.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4' - 10'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White to pale pink with dark pink-red centers, star-shaped, waxy, in ball-shaped clusters, fragrantFoliage Description
Bright green, thick, succulent, perfectly HEART-SHAPED — the most recognizable leaf shape of any houseplantGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Bright indirect light. Allow soil to dry between waterings — the succulent leaves tolerate drought. Do not remove flower peduncles. Single leaf cuttings without a node do not develop into vines. Non-toxic to pets. Slow-growing.Pruning
Prune to control vine length if needed. Never remove flower peduncles — they rebloom over multiple seasons.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons