The Hoya Kerrii plant looks lovely as it has heart-shaped leaves that grow on vines. These plants make ideal houseplants and have become very popular recently. The plant’s popularity may just be a fad, like the lucky bamboo craze a few years ago.
These plants are easy to propagate and look unique; only time will tell whether these plants are a fad or here to stay. Let’s look at how to care for a Hoya Kerrii plant.
What is a hoya kerrii plant?
The Hoya Kerri is a popular heart-shaped plant that’s often called the Sweatheart plant or valentine hoya. It has thick fleshy leaves like a succulent and makes a great novelty gift. Major stores such as IKEA are selling Hoya Kerrii all year, and at a fast rate. These plants make great gifts for plant enthusiasts, friends, or your other half. But remember, a plant is for life, not just for Christmas. If you’re looking for a Hoya with more vibrant leaves, check out Hoya Krimson Princess.
The disadvantage of the Hoya Kerrii plant is that it’s usually sold as a single leaf. These plants are very slow-growing and are quite dull, often being left on a shelf to gather dust. On the upside, the Hoya Kerrii is one of the easiest houseplants to grow as it doesn’t require any special care and is very hardy.
That being said, you should treat your Hoya Kerrii plant with respect and not neglect it. If you have your plant long enough and look after it well, more leaves will begin to grow, and you’ll end up with a beautiful climbing plant with multiple leaves. Alternatively, you can cheat a little and purchase a larger plant with more leaves. Larger plants look romantic and make a nicer Valentine’s gift than a single leaf as they provide a bush of green hearts.
There are two types of Hoya Kerrii the all green or variegated variety. The variegated variety has marbled green and cream leaves and is less hardy than the green version. It’s thought that the green sweetheart plant may be slightly faster growing than the variegated variety, although this is debatable. These plants also flower and produce stunning blooms annually. Flowers grow on older plants in the summer months. The flowers are delicate and grow in a star-like pattern; they also create a pleasant aroma in your home.
Hoya kerrii plants aren’t toxic, so they make a great houseplant if you have pets or young children. While you should keep plants out of the reach of kids and animals, you don’t have to worry about what would happen if a piece of the leaf was consumed.
Growth Habits
Most Hoya Kerrii plants are very small plants with just a single leaf. In time, if you care for your plant, it will produce vines and climb over the surrounding area. These plants can live for decades and will eventually end up spreading over large spaces.
If you buy a plant with just one leaf, it’s likely to be two or three years before you notice vines beginning to for. The plant’s vines start off as a light green color and, as they mature, will look darker green or even grey and have a woody texture. When your vines first start to grow, you can use a stake and encourage them to grow upwards. The vines can support the plant when it gets heavier and starts to climb. For this reason, mature vines are very stiff and will be hard to ‘train’ or bend.
As mentioned above, the Hoya Kerrii plant is very slow-growing, especially in the beginning. This is because the plant is putting more energy into developing a strong root system. Once its roots are established, the vines will grow quite quickly, but leaf growth will be slower.
Unfortunately, if you buy a plant that’s just a single leaf without a stem, there is a chance that the plant will remain that way forever. If new growth does appear, it will take a few years. For this reason, if you’re serious about growing a Hoya Kerrii plant, it may be best to buy a slightly larger plant that’s already established itself and started to grow a few vines and leaves.
How to care for a hoya kerrii
Hoya kerrii plants are hardy and easy to care for. Here are some tips for growing a thriving plant:
Watering Requirements
The Hoya Kerrii is quite adaptable when it comes to watering. It can survive quite a while without being watered. However, you should ensure your plant is watered regularly, or it will only be surviving, and its already slow growth will be stunted. Get into the habit of watering regularly. You can wait until your plant’s topsoil has dried out and then water your plant.
Be careful not to overwater your Hoya Kerrii as it doesn’t like soggy soil and could become rotten. It’s best to grow the plant in a pot with drainage holes. You can also give your plant a very small amount of fertilizer once a year. Don’t over-fertilize your plant, especially if it only has one small leaf. These plants aren’t heavy feeders. Once your plants are larger and producing vines, you can fertilize up to four times a year.
Sunlight Needs
Hoya kerrii plants need to be kept in enough light to grow. Avoid placing the plant in dark areas. Indirect sunlight is best to avoid scorching of the leaves.
Humidity and Temperature
The Hoya Kerrii plant can grow at the average temperature of a home. Don’t leave your plant in a draught from a window or air conditioning system, or its growth will be stunted. The cold may even stop the plant from growing altogether. It’s best to grow a Hoya Kerrii plant in temperatures of between 65°F and 80°F. These plants aren’t affected by humidity and can thrive in humid or drier conditions.
Conclusion
The Hoya Kerrii plant looks amazing when it reaches maturity and produces climbing vines with heart-shaped leaves. These plants are very slow-growing, and it will take years for your plant to grow, especially from a single leaf. There is also a possibility that a single leaf won’t produce vines and multiple leaves and will instead just slowly get larger. If you’re interested in growing a beautiful plant with multiple leaves, it may be best to invest in a slightly larger plant to start with.