How to care for Hoya Heart Succulent

There are many classic flora-themed gifts you can get someone for Valentine’s Day — a bouquet of flowers is classic, as is a potted orchid. But if you want a gift that’s truly on the nose, look no further than the lovely heart-shaped (and aptly named) Hoya Heart Succulent.

The Hoya heart succulent is one you’ve probably seen in stores, especially in February with other Valentine’s Day gifts, where it’s presented as a single potted leaf with a fleshy, waxy texture. (You may have seen it labeled as hoya heart, wax heart, darling plant, darling vine, Valentine hoya, or lucky heart plant.) In their small pots and with their trademark heart shape, these little plants are hard to resist.

But to make hoya heart succulents last longer than a few weeks, there are a few things you need to know. Below are the best tips for caring for heart hoya plants.

Hoya heart succulent is actually just a single leaf of hoya kerrii (the plant’s official name); full-sized plants grow their succulent, heart-shaped leaves on climbing vines that can reach 13 feet tall.

Hoya kerrii is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia. It is part of the hoya plant family; these are succulent plants with tough, waxy leaves that can hold a lot of moisture (just like other types of succulents).

In its full form, hoya kerrii develops small clusters of fragrant, waxy pink flowers.

So why is hoya kerrii most commonly available for purchase as a single potted leaf? The hoya kerrii plant grows so slowly that it takes years to develop the stems and climbers you see in nature. Single sheet compounding makes hoya kerrii much more accessible (and affordable) for most plant parents.

Here’s the bad news about growing a single leaf in a pot: While it is I can it develops roots to sustain itself for a while, it is unable to grow a stem — meaning it cannot grow larger.

Even if you were lucky enough to get a stem cutting as a sap in the heart of a hoya, it will be years and years before you can see a lush adult plant.

You will most likely have a succulent heart hoya for a few years at most before it dies.

There is good news though! Although hoya heart succulents may not live for several years (or outgrow their small pots), they are extremely easy to care for.

Because the succulent leaves of hoya kerrii are extremely efficient at retaining moisture, you won’t need to water them often.

Water your darling plant every two to three weeks, when the soil is dry and the leaves are just beginning to curl.

Make sure your heart hoya is planted in a pot that drains well. Standing water can lead to root and leaf rot of this plant.

You should not transplant this plant, as it will never grow beyond the borders of the planter you bought it in, but there may be cases where you will need to either replenish the spilled soil or replace the soil it came in (if it is not suitable).

Since hoya kerii likes well-draining soil, look for potting mixes with ingredients that provide plenty of aeration. One good option is to mix potting mix with orchid bark; you can also try potting mix specific to succulents.

Hoya heart succulents thrive in bright light, and direct sun is best. They can also tolerate strong indirect light, although you may find that less light will cause variegated versions of hoya kerrii to develop darker leaves.

For best results, place heart hoya succulents in windows facing east, south, or west. North-facing windows probably won’t get enough sunlight to keep these plants happy.

More good news: Yes, heart hoya succulents are safe for pets, according to the ASPCA. There’s no need to worry about your pet if they try a nibble or two (although your plant may not survive the attack — so it’s still best to keep them away from pets).

You can find these cuties at many retailers around Valentine’s Day, including daycare centers, home centers, and grocery stores. Of course, you can also buy them online.

Want the look of a grown-up hoya kerrii? You’ll have to hunt around a bit more – but there are options available from specialist sellers, such as those on Etsy.