Sweetheart Hoya

Feeling romantic? Love is always in the air when you have a Sweetheart Hoya in your home. This plant’s leaves are shaped like perfectly round and bright hearts, giving off one of the most adorably romantic vibes of any indoor plant.

 

The Sweetheart Hoya makes the perfect gift. But it’s also a great addition to your home. It’s easy to care for and low-maintenance. It will add some positivity to any room, inspire creativity and romance, and even clean the air! Here’s more about this exciting heart-shaped plant.

 

 

What is a Sweetheart Hoya Plant?

The Sweetheart Hoya goes by a LOT of names. You might hear people refer to this peculiar plant as the Porcelain Flower, Wax Hearts, Wax Plants, Lucky Hearts, and the Valentine Plant. You probably notice a lot of similarities between these names. That’s because they’re all based on the plant’s very distinctive appearance.

 

The Sweetheart Hoya gets its name thanks to its thick, heart-shaped leaves. This tropical succulent looks exactly like a vibrant green heart coming out of the dirt.

 

The Sweetheart Hoya is a hardy plant native to Southeast Asia. It’s easy to maintain and slow-growing. Over time, the Sweetheart Hoya becomes a mass of green hearts. This plant grows clusters of white blooms in the summer, and a mature plant can have up to 25 blooms.

 

 

 

 

Plant Size

What usually begins as a five-inch plant in a small pot can grow up to 13 feet when mature! Just keep in mind that you won’t see much growth for the first few years. This is a plant that requires a lot of patience, although its requirements are quite simple.

 

Light Requirements

For the Sweetheart Hoya to thrive, you will want to give it bright, natural light. Place this plant on a shelf or counter near a window that gets a lot of sunlight.

 

Because of this preferred amount of light, this succulent does best in zones that are sunny all year round. If you’re in a less sunny climate, the Sweetheart Hoya will be fine. It just may grow even slower. Try to move them to windows with more light in the darker winter months.

 

Remember to keep your plant away from very hot, sunny windows, especially in the afternoon. Too much direct bright light can burn your Hoya. With the right amount of indirect light, your Sweetheart Hoya will bloom beautifully.

 

Water Requirements

Succulents are notorious for being drought resistant. They still need water, however. The Sweetheart Hoya has fleshy, waxy leaves that can hold a good amount of water.

 

But you will want to water this plant whenever it dries out, which is about seven to nine days in the summer and up to two weeks or more in the winter. Just keep in mind that the Sweetheart Hoya doesn’t like to be consistently moist.

 

Temperature Requirements

Your plant is fine with whatever you’re comfortable with (we told you this plant is easygoing). But be sure to keep your Sweetheart Hoya away from cold drafts, air conditioners, and heating vents.

 

Air Humidity

The Sweetheart Hoya lives up to its durable profile by also not minding if the air is dry. That’s despite being from a tropical area of Southeast Asia. To help your plant stay extra happy, you can mist them here and there to provide a humid environment.

 

If your plant seems desperate for humidity, fill a saucer with pebbles and water. Then place the plant’s pot on the pebbles, making sure the holes on the bottom of the pot aren’t submerged in water. This hack can give your plant consistent humidity.

 

 

 

 

Why Choose a Sweetheart Hoya for Your Home?

With its adorable appearance and low-maintenance care requirements, the real question is: Why not have a Sweetheart Hoya in your home? Here are some of the most popular reasons people should keep this plant nearby.

 

Romance

Tired of giving a bouquet or a box of chocolates on Valentine’s Day or a birthday? The Sweetheart Hoya is a unique and one-of-a-kind alternative that is just as romantic. It looks like a soft, juicy heart and will make anyone feel excited to receive it.

 

Appearance

You can also keep it around your home to remind yourself to stay positive. This is a cute plant that’s sure to make you feel upbeat just by looking at it. The blooms and fun leaves are more than enough to make a strong impact on any room. All eyes will be on the Sweetheart Hoya wherever it’s placed.

 

Easy Care

The Sweetheart Hoya is one of the most low-maintenance plants out there. It only needs to be watered when the soil dries and it doesn’t mind whatever temperature your home already is. The only thing to keep in mind is your plant’s light source. It shouldn’t be getting too much or too little, both of which can damage the plant.

 

Improves Mood

Studies have shown that having a touch of green and connection to nature inside your home will leave you feeling positive, motivated, and happy. A lot of people keep plants on their desks to feel creative and determined at work. There’s no denying that having a Sweetheart Hoya nearby will make you smile.

 

Purifies Air

The Sweetheart Hoya is good for your overall health as well. NASA actually studied how impressive plants’ ability to clear the air of harmful chemicals was. The top scientists recommended everyone keeping a good amount of plants inside their own home or workspace. You’ll feel rejuvenated and healthier when the air around you is consistently cleaner.

 

 

Are Sweetheart Hoya Plants Good Indoors & Outdoors?

The Sweetheart Hoya is most popular as an indoor plant. It can adapt very well to most home environments, whether you live in a stuffy studio or bright, airy ranch.

 

This isn’t usually a plant you’ll encounter in a garden, especially in cooler areas where the night or fall and winter months get too low in temperature. On the other hand, this plant also cannot be in direct sunlight for too long. A good alternative is placing your Sweetheart Hoya in a patio that has bright, indirect light and temporary shade.

 

 

 

 

Are Sweetheart Hoya Plants Pet and Children Friendly?

This exotic plant produces a milky sap that’s packed with latex. This usually only comes out when the Sweetheart Hoya is in very hot weather outside, but it can be considered poisonous. So while the Hoya is technically non-toxic, it’s still recommended that you keep your pet (or young kids) away from this plant.

 

Try keeping the Sweetheart Hoya in a hard-to-reach spot in your home. This might be a hanging basket in the kitchen or a desk in an off-limits office. But if you have very nosy pets or children who can easily get just about anywhere, it may be best to pass on the Sweetheart Hoya in case they choose to take a chomp out of its juicy leaves.

 

 

Sweetheart Hoya Plant Family Relatives

Hoyas are in the Apocynaceae family, known as common milkweed. Within this family are 200 to 300 species of Hoya, a tropical succulent plant usually found in Asia. This includes the Philippines, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. A lot of varieties can also be found in Australia.

 

Here are some of the popular Hoya plants you may want in your home:

 

• Sweetheart Hoya (Hoya Kerrii): This is a species of Hoya native to southeast Asia. With thick heart-shaped leaves, it’s often called the Lucky Heart Plant. This is a climbing plant that grows up to 13 feet.

• Wax Plant (Hoya Carnosa): This is the most popular Hoya, cultivated for the past 200 years due to its sweetly scented flowers and interesting wax foliage. It’s native to eastern Asia and Australia.

• Common Waxflower (Hoya Australis): This is another well-known Hoya variety, usually found growing on the edge of rainforests or in rocky areas in the wild. It attracts butterflies, making it a popular garden plant. It has fragrant white flowers.

• Bush Hoya (Hoya Cumingiana): This is a succulent vine found in the Philippines. It has a bushy appearance thanks to its small leaves that grow closely together. It has yellow star-shaped flowers that also bloom in clusters, emitting a spicy aroma.

 

Plants That Are Similar to the Sweetheart Hoya

The Sweetheart Hoya is definitely one-of-a-kind. Its thick, waxy leaves come out of the ground in a perfect heart. Other plants are similarly romantic, although they show their love in a different way. Here are some other plants that might remind you of the Sweetheart Hoya:

 

• Heart-Shaped Philodendron: Known as the Sweetheart Plant, it has dark, glossy leaves that are shaped like, well, hearts! The leaves have splashes of yellow, helping the plant stand out in any decor. This vining plant is very easy to care for.

• Green Nephthytis: This is another climbing houseplant with heart-shaped leaves. It’s a dramatic addition to any interior, thanks to its beautiful color palette. While it can be pruned for fullness, it’s often found climbing walls. It loves a humid environment, but it’s otherwise easygoing.

• Golden Pothos: This is a very popular houseplant due to its versatility and hardiness. The heart-shaped leaves are yellow and green, making a bold impact on your room. This is a fast-growing plant that has no problem climbing any surface.

 

 

Final Thoughts – Sweetheart Hoya

It doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day to feel special. The Sweetheart Hoya makes you feel warm and fuzzy all year long. While slow-growing, this easy-to-care-for plant is lovely to have around and will inspire creativity and happiness in whatever room it’s in!