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4.5 out of 5 (64 experiences)


About Sweetheart Hoya
With over 500 species and even more cultivars, there's a Hoya out there for everyone! They're native to Southeast Asia and their common name, waxplant, refers to their thick, waxy leaves which help them retain water in the heat. They're excellent climbers and will take off if you give them a trellis to grow on. Their other-worldly, star-shaped flowers are often fragrant and come in brilliant shades of red, pink, yellow, and more!
Taxonomy
Hoya kerrii
Hoya
Apocynaceae
Gentianales
Also known as
Valentine Hoya

How to care for Sweetheart Hoya

How often to water your Sweetheart Hoya

every 12
Sweetheart Hoya needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
12

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Sweetheart Hoya in your home

a window
Sweetheart Hoya may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Sweetheart Hoya in your home 🏡.

How to fertilize Sweetheart Hoya

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Sweetheart Hoya after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Sweetheart Hoya is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!
Water Needs
Sweetheart Hoya thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Sweetheart Hoya may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Sweetheart Hoya is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.
Humidity
Sweetheart Hoya doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.
Soil
Sweetheart Hoya does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Sweetheart Hoya should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
Sweetheart Hoya does not have a typical pattern of dormancy. If you notice their growth slowing down substantially, double check that they are getting enough sunlight and water to thrive!
Native Region
Sweetheart Hoya is native to Southeast Asia and Australia.
Flowers
Yes, you may see your Sweetheart Hoya bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.
Growth Pattern
Sweetheart Hoya is a naturally climbing plant and can be trained to climb indoors if you provide a moss pole or trellis. The newest growth will emerge from the end of the stems.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Sweetheart Hoya can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Sweetheart Hoya can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:
- Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
- To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
Common Issues
Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Sweetheart Hoya. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.
Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!
Care Summary for Sweetheart Hoya
Sweetheart Hoya
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 3ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say










I love my Sweetheart Hoya! I wouldn’t say fast grower because my plant grows in fast spurts then relaxes for a bit. I got this plant shipped and it arrived in great condition. I’ve had this plant for just about a year now and it has grown two new leaves and I can see another getting ready to grow! I think this plant has a lot of personality. I have never had any browning, but the leaves get looser and are not a firm when she is unhappy. I am to the point where i think this plant would be happy with a stake to grow upwards :)
