Sweetheart Plant Hoya kerrii

Being a part of the Apocynaceae family, Sweetheart Hoya is a houseplant that has leaves shaped like a heart, making the common name Valentine Hoya quite popular.  It has succulent leaves and a woody stem.  It is considered an epiphyte, which is a plant that attaches to a host plant, typically a tree.  It has aerial roots and a twining growth habit.  

A slow growing plant, its variegated variety is even slower growing.  It can also take 2 to 3 years for your plant to produce flowers.  To encourage flowering, keeping your plant root bound by placing in a small container, while providing several hours of indirect sun daily along with several hours of nighttime darkness.  Allow the flowers to remain on the plant after blooming, as they can rebloom.  Flowers emit their fragrance at night.  

Its preferred environment includes warm and humid locations.  Temperatures between 65 and 80 Fahrenheit is ideal.  Lower temperatures can slow the plants grown and flowering.  Placing in a more humid room of your home, such as the kitchen or bathroom can benefit the plant.  

Watering should be done with room-temperature water, as cold water can send the plant into shock.  The container should provide good drainage to allow the plant to dry somewhat between watering.  

Support this climbing plant with florist wire to train it on a trellis, or place in a hanging container and allow the plant to cascade.

They are often sold as a single leaf, however, those cuttings are not likely to propagate well.  

Its long, bare vines should not be cut back during plant maintenance.  These vines are an indication that new leaves or flowers are being formed.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Insects effecting this plant include aphids, spider mites and mealybugs.  If grown in a container that does not keep the plant root bound, the container may tend to hold excess water, which can lead to root rot.  Overwatering can also inhibit the plant ability to flower.

Thinning, brown or wrinkled leaves can mean that the plant is being allowed to dry too much between watering.