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Indoor plant care
Hoya Hearts
Hoya kerrii
Light requirements
Hoya Hearts prefers bright, indirect light at 150 to 250 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹.
- Position the plant about 5 ft / 1.5m from a south, west or east-facing window.
- Avoid a location where the foliage has a direct view of the sky. Use a sheer curtain to filter any direct sunlight.
- Intense rays can scorch the fleshy leaves. Too little light slows vine growth and weakens overall performance.
- Check photosynthetically active radiation with a PAR meter or PAR meter app, measuring PPFD in μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹.
Watering
Allow Hoya Hearts soil to dry completely before watering again. Check several depths with a knitting needle or chopstick, since moisture may remain near the bottom after the surface dries.
- Use room temperature rainwater, distilled water or reverse osmosis water.
- Soak the soil until water leaves the drainage holes. Wait until all extra moisture drains before returning the pot to a saucer or decorative planter.
- A container with drainage holes is essential. Constant moisture can cause root rot and soft or yellow leaves.
- Water considerably less during winter, when active growth slows. Excessive drought during growth may leave the thick leaves wrinkled or crisp at the edges.
Soil
Use a specialty organic succulent potting mix for Hoya Hearts. Its roots need an airy medium that dries quickly after each thorough watering.
- DIY mix: combine 2 parts coir, 2 parts coarse sand and 1 part pumice.
- Avoid dense soil and always use a pot with drainage holes.
Feeding
Apply an organic fertiliser formulated for succulents every 2 to 4 weeks from March to October. Feed Hoya Hearts at the label strength after watering. Do not increase the dose to speed its naturally slow growth, and pause in winter.
Temperature & humidity
Hoya Hearts prefers 65 to 80 °F / 18 to 27 °C. Keep humidity between 40 and 60%. Protect the vines from cold drafts and abrupt temperature shifts. Good airflow is useful when conditions stay near the upper humidity level.
What to expect
Hoya Hearts takes about 3 to 5 years to mature and is generally slow growing. Mature vines can reach 6 to 10 ft / 1.8 to 3 m. The eventual spread is 2 to 4 ft / 0.6 to 1.2 m.
Varieties & cultivars
- H. kerrii ‘Splash’: Green leaves carry irregular white or cream splashes.
- H. kerrii ‘Variegata’: The foliage displays green and cream variegation.
- H. kerrii ‘Reverse Variegata’: Each leaf has a cream or white center surrounded by green edges.
- H. kerrii ‘Super Silver’: The leaves are mostly silvery white with scattered green speckles.
Hoya Hearts: questions
Is Hoya Hearts toxic to cats and dogs?
Hoya Hearts is described as non-toxic to people and pets. Hoya kerrii is not specifically listed by the ASPCA, so there is no species-level safety ruling. It cannot be called pet…
How much light does Hoya Hearts need?
Hoya Hearts prefers bright, indirect light at 150 to 250 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹. - Position the plant about 5 ft / 1.5m from a south, west or east-facing window. - Avoid a location where the foliage has a direct view of the sky. Use a sheer curtain to filter any direct sunlight. - Intense rays can scorch the…
How often should I water Hoya Hearts?
Allow Hoya Hearts soil to dry completely before watering again. Check several depths with a knitting needle or chopstick, since moisture may remain near the bottom after the surface dries. - Use room temperature rainwater, distilled water or reverse osmosis water. - Soak the soil until water leaves…
How big does Hoya Hearts get?
Mature size indoors: Mature vines can reach 6 to 10 ft / 1.
