Plant Know-How: Hoya kerrii

Who can resist these adorable heart shaped leaves? This is Hoya kerrii, a beloved plant among Hoya collectors and plant lovers alike. It's sometimes called the Sweetheart Hoya for the shape of its leaves.  Like many others in its genus, is a vining epiphyte that climbs trees in its natural habitat. 

Unlike most Hoyas, Hoya kerrii is commonly grown to have two different forms. You'll often find Hoya kerrii sold as a single rooted leaf (especially near Valentine's Day), and these rooted leaves won't necessarily grow into a full plant, since growers don't always include a node (the portion of the stem where new growth can emerge from) when they propagate the plant. The single rooted leaves can still live for many years and are quite cute on their own, plus, occasionally you'll luck out and score a plant with a node included so the plant can grow into a full plant. When cultivated as a full-plant, Hoya kerrii can have a little bit of a wild growth habit. When young, it generally grows upright, but as it becomes older and its vines grow longer gravity can eventually weigh them down and it can be grown as a sort of hanging plant, or left to spread out. Alternatively, Hoya kerrii can be trained to grow up a structure or around a hoop or u-shaped trellis if you prefer a more contained shape. We think no matter how you grow your Hoya kerrii it makes for an excellent addition to any home!

HOW TO CARE FOR HOYA KERRII:

Light requirements for Hoya keriii: Hoya kerrii does best in very bright indirect light. It may tolerate medium indirect light, but growth will be extra slow and leaves will be small. If you'd like your Hoya kerrii to bloom and grow large, we recommend growing it in bright indirect light.

Watering tips for Hoya kerii: Like most Hoyas, Hoya kerrii does not want to sit in soggy soil. Water your Hoya kerrii when the soil is dry at least 2/3 of the way down. Leaves will begin to look slightly puckered when ready for water. Hoyas tolerate drying out much better than they do being watered too often, so when in doubt, wait another week. If you need some help knowing when to water your plant a moisture meter is a helpful tool that can take out some of the guesswork!

The best soil for Hoya kerrii: Hoyas grow best in a chunky, well-draining soil. Our Folia Favorite Potting Mix is a great choice!

Is Hoya kerrii pet-safe? Hoyas are non-toxic, so they're safe for curious pets who may take a bite. Looking for more pet-safe plants? Check out the  Pet Safe category of the Plant Care Compendium! 

Did you know? Hoyas send their vines out first, before leaves form, so even though it may look odd initially, be sure to let those wild vines do their thing until the leaves come in. Hoyas are also notoriously slow-growing plants, and don't usually bloom until they're a bit more mature. Have patience though- the unusual blooms are extremely rewarding. Once your plant has bloomed, don't remove the area of the vine that the bloom came from (called a peduncle), as Hoyas bloom from that same spot over and over. 

Ready to add this adorable Hoya to your home? Shop for Hoya kerrii in our Eagle Rock store and find single rooted leaves in the webshop!