Why people love it
Every leaf of the sweetheart hoya is a thick, perfect heart. Around Valentine’s Day, shops sell single leaves stuck in small pots as a gift. Given time and good light, a full plant grows into a vine covered in hearts, and it can produce clusters of small, waxy flowers.
About single-leaf plants
A single heart leaf in a pot can live for years, but it usually never grows any bigger. New growth comes from a node, the joint where a leaf meets the stem. Most single-leaf gifts are cut without one.
- If you want a vine, look for a plant with a piece of stem, or several leaves on stems.
- If you have a single leaf, enjoy it as it is. Water it lightly when the soil is dry, and give it bright, indirect light.
Care in a nutshell
- Bright, indirect light. More light means faster growth and a better chance of flowers.
- Let it dry out. Its thick leaves store water, so it handles a missed watering much better than too much water.
- Airy soil. Like other hoyas, it grows on trees in the wild, and its roots need air.
Watch out for
- Soft, yellow leaves or a mushy stem usually mean too much water. Let the soil dry out more between drinks.
- Wrinkled, thin leaves mean it’s thirsty.
Fun fact: Hoya kerrii is a slow grower, even as hoyas go. A plant that seems to do nothing for months may suddenly send out a long new vine.
