Heart-Shaped Leaves

by Genevieve
(Singapore)

Please help me identify my plant!
It has thick dark green leaves that are heart-shaped.

two leaves branch out close to the stem at a time, one on opposite sides of the stem.
Stem is green at first but turns grey like other cacti.

There are some short roots sticking out from the length of stem.

Leaves are the size of a woman’s palm.
please tell me if there’s any more information you need 🙂 Thank You!!

Comments for Heart-Shaped Leaves

Jan 14, 2011 Hoya by: Jacki Hi Genevieve, thanks for the great pictures of your plant. Everythings becoming clearer now! Your plant is some type of Hoya – I’ve never actually seen one with the heart shaped leaves, so that really threw me off, but the adventitious roots emerging from the stem are a tip off with this genus. As you may have guessed, you can easily propagate this plant from stem cuttings; many people simply root and grow them for many years in a glass of water, with the plant twining around the kitchen window. If you don’t want this look, simply prune off the long ends, stick them back in the soil of the pot, and the plant will end up with a more bushy appearance. Hoya are notorious for the scent of their flowers too, some have a sweet cloying fragrance, others smell like rotting meat, depending on the insects they wish to attract to pollinate them.

Jan 14, 2011 care tips by: Genevieve Thank you! you’ve been a great help! anyway, is there a specific type of fertilizer that I should use or any care tips for this plant. I live in Singapore so its rather hot and humid… 🙂

Jan 14, 2011 Has beautiful flowers! by: Emma It’s a Hoya kerri aka sweetheart Hoya kerrii. I read that you only fertilize in the spring and use something of equal parts like 20-20-20 and protect from temps lower than 50. Potting mix should be 2/3 soil and 1/3 orchid mix. Light should be partial sun partial bright shade. It will bloom in the summer. I want one now.

Jan 14, 2011 Solved! by: Jacki Wow, we make a great team – thanks, Emma. I’ll keep my eye open for this one in bloom, now I definitely want to see if the fragrance lives up to the hype!

Jan 14, 2011 Thanks! by: Genevieve Hey thanks guys!! To Jacki: I wouldn’t exactly put it in a cup of water! It’ll probably rot.. haha 😀 thanks again!

Jan 28, 2011 i want one by: Emma Ok the longer i think about it the more I want one. I know you are in singapore and i’m in california, do you have any idea where i can find one?

Jan 29, 2011 Mail Order by: Jacki Hey, Emma, look close to home to buy one of these – not only is it expensive to bring plants into the US, it’s also illegal without the proper paperwork. Here are some links to places you can look for a supply of Hoya kerrii: Nurseries Online Daves Garden

Jan 29, 2011 Not illegally… by: Emma I was looking like at home depot and walmart then nursuries close to home and couldnt find any that is why i asked. We dont seem to have them in this area although I read somewhere that they are hardy for my zone.

Jan 31, 2011 online catalogue by: Genevieve you could try an online nursery/catalogue.:)

Apr 12, 2011 Where is that Hoya by: Steveo Try ikea – thats where I got mine.

May 06, 2011 Heart shaped Hoya by: Anonymous I was at a wedding where these plants were the centerpiece and were in a shot glass! Several were left on the tables so I brought a bunch of them home put them in soil where they are thriving but are only the one leaf and nothing else yet, it’s been about half a year.

Jan 27, 2012 Hear shaped Hoya by: Sally I was the first person in Canada to bring in the heart shaped Hoya. I lived in California and met the woman who brought this plant to the U.S. She gave me the only heart hoya she had ever given away and I in turn gave a slip of this plant to all of my friends in Canada. After a few years I started to see it in some of the nurseries.The lady who gave me this plant used to lecture at Berkley and she had an unbelievable nursery where she collected rare plants.

Jan 28, 2012 The Origins by: Jacki Thanks, Sally for your interesting bit of background on this plant. It’s fascinating to learn where a unique plant originated.

Apr 22, 2012 30yr old ‘Hoya’ by: Christina My Hoya has been in only two pots for the last 30yrs. A few months ago I felt sorry for it and pulled it completely apart, the root system was very poor. Took many cuttings and they are all up and away. They do enjoy living in a cramped root situation in a hanging pot.The thick leaves retain moisture that this is why they are so successful in trying conditions. Have just received two heart leaves, don’t know colour but will enjoy seeing them take root. They do take a while to produce roots but it is worth it. Patience is the key. They are avidly grown here in Australia but I only have a white one and pale pink. I am now keeping an eye out for a reddish one. Hope this helps a little. I will now also endeavour to cultivate a hoya inside my home. We are sub-tropical here in Brisbane. Cheers all. Christina……….

Jun 02, 2014 My heart has flowers by: Vernon I bought my hoya (wax plant) in Ikea, Bristol (England) three years ago. It is on a sunny (in the morning) window sill and did nothing except spread a little happiness for two years. Then a root to the side sprouted a small leaf which very quickly grew to the same size as the mother. Again nothing happened for many months then a stalk started growing and pairs of hearts have appeared and they also grew to size very quickly. There are about 10 hearts with two more just growing. About 5 weeks ago a cluster of nine buds appeared and today the buds came into flower. They are about 6 millimetres in diameter and have five delicate, pink, hairy outer petals with a deep pink inner ring of five balls that are each exuding a tiny dew drop. In the centre is a tiny dot of yellow. DO I break the plant up to propagate more or leave it multiplying in its small pot? These plants are fine even when kept in a small pot. You can leave them almost indefinitely, if you give them a small amount of fertilizer once in a while. They prefer being quite root bound. I usually propagate them by stem cuttings – if you look at the stem, they have little hard lumps all over; those are where the roots will emerge. These plants are easy to root in water. Hope that helps, Jacki

Jun 04, 2015 I think it’s a Hoya by: Elaine Hi I think I have a Hoya as well. Mine is long an heavy. When you cut the vine a milky white sap comes out. I cut it back and going to let it grow up a tomato cage.

Jun 08, 2015 Hoya by: Jacki This is the heart leaved hoya, or Hoya kerria. Congratulations on such a lovely plant!

Jul 13, 2015 Heart shaped leaf plant by: Linda I just bought a beautiful heart shaped leaf plant. I thought it was so unusual I had to have it. I got it home and the more I looked at it the more I loved it. I loved it so much I went back and bought another one just in case something happens to the first one. They both are doing great. I looked the plant up and read how easy they are to take care of. I hope it lasts for many years!

Dec 24, 2017 Heart Leaved Hoya by: Clare It’s a Hoya alright. And when cramped and ready to flower they can be very drippy. Mine looks like blood drops. The second time it bloomed it flowed all over the place. Had to take it outdoors because it became so messy. I have others that have a very sweet scent in the evenings. The Heart Shaped one is the only messy version. There are many varieties.

Oct 13, 2018 Interested in heart-shaped leaves Hoya plant by: Albert Wu Dear All, I am a plant lover. I am interested in your heart-shaped leaves plant. I wish to place it at NUS Student Care hub which opening soon on October 18, 2018. Please advise me where to get it or buy it? It represents our heart shaped icon of the hub that care alll staff and students in distress. Contact me or SMS me where to buy it? HP: +65-9835-9445. Big thanks. From Albert Wu 14-October 2018

Oct 14, 2018 Sources by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist This link shows three companies that carry Hoya kerrii for sale; https://davesgarden.com/products/ps/go/53912/

Jan 13, 2019 Sweetheart Hoya discovered in SFV, CA! by: iggy I literally just purchased one of these in West Hills, California at a small shop called Nelson’s Nursery just up the street from the hospital. They had a dozen more for sale, and also offer several other hoya varieties including Hindu Rope. I don’t think they have a website, so Locals are in luck, but maybe not other folks.