Hoya Kerrii - Care Advice

 

The Heart Hoya is one of those plants that instantly makes people smile. With its thick, heart-shaped leaf, it’s often given as a gift and has become a symbol of love, friendship and care. Native to South-East Asia, Hoya kerrii is a slow-growing, succulent-like plant that stores water in its fleshy leaves and stems.

Your plant is a single leaf cutting, grown and sold this way intentionally. While it can stay looking just as it is for a long time, it’s worth knowing that single-leaf Hoyas don’t always go on to produce vines or new growth unless there is a growth node present. That’s part of its charm — it’s a plant that encourages patience and appreciation for the small things.

Light:

Place your Heart Hoya in a bright spot with some gentle direct light. A position around 50–100cm from a South or West-facing window, or closer to an East-facing window, works well. Avoid very low light, which can slow things down even further.

Water:

Water sparingly. Hoya kerrii stores water in its leaf, so it’s far more tolerant of drying out than being overwatered. Allow the pot to dry out fully between waterings and always check the weight of the pot — it should feel very light before watering again.

Water the soil rather than the leaf itself, and pour away any excess. In cooler months, this may only be every couple of weeks.

Soil:

A free-draining mix is essential. We recommend our chunky houseplant soil mix, or a similar blend with added bark or grit to allow water to pass through easily and protect the roots.

Temperature:

General household temperatures are absolutely fine. Aim for somewhere between 15–25°C, and keep your plant away from cold draughts, radiators or sudden temperature changes.

Feeding:

Feeding isn’t essential for a single-leaf Hoya, but during spring and summer you can use a very diluted houseplant fertiliser once every 6–8 weeks if you wish.

A few last notes:

This is a very slow-growing plant. Many single-leaf Heart Hoyas stay exactly as they are for years — and that’s normal. If your plant does have a growth node, new growth may eventually appear, but there’s no set timeline. Treat it as a decorative, low-maintenance plant that rewards patience rather than speed.

There’s no rush to pot up — your Heart Hoya is happy staying snug in its small pot for a long time.

Hoya are non-toxic so are safe if nibbled by any curious pets!