Jungle Relics

Heart-Shaped Sweetheart Plant (Hoya Kerri)

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$60.00
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The Hoya Kerrii, affectionately known as the Sweetheart Plant, is a unique and charming houseplant prized for its adorable heart-shaped leaves. Perfect as a symbol of love and friendship, this slow-growing tropical vine makes a delightful addition to any plant collection. The Hoya Kerrii brings both charm and tranquility to your home.

Details:

  • Botanical Name: Hoya Kerrii
  • Light Requirements: Thrives in bright, indirect light; avoid harsh direct sun, which can scorch its delicate leaves
  • Water Requirements: Water when the soil is dry 1-2 inches down; prefers a well-draining mix and hates soggy roots

Why You’ll Love It:

  • Heart-Shaped Leaves: The striking, waxy green leaves resemble hearts, making this plant a symbol of affection and a conversation starter.
  • Low Maintenance: A resilient and beginner-friendly plant that tolerates occasional neglect.
  • Fragrant Blooms: When mature, it may reward you with star-shaped flowers that are sweetly scented.

 

Tea Pairing Recommendation: Pair your Hoya Kerrii with a cup of Jasmine Green Tea. The floral aroma and soothing taste perfectly complement the exotic charm of the plant, creating a serene and romantic atmosphere in your home.

Styling Tips:

  • Solo Showcase: Display a single-leaf Hoya Kerrii in a chic, minimalistic pot for a bold, modern look.
  • Valentine’s Centerpiece: Use the plant as part of a themed centerpiece with candles and soft lighting to highlight its heart-shaped leaves.
  • Grouping: Pair it with other tropical plants like a Monstera or Calathea for a lush indoor jungle.
  • Trailing Elegance: Allow a mature vine to cascade from a hanging basket or shelf for a graceful, romantic vibe.

Plant Care FAQs:

  • Plant Type: Chill
  • Common Name: Sweetheart Plant
  • Botanical Name: Hoya Kerrii
  • Family: Apocynaceae
  • Mature Size: 3-6 feet as a trailing vine indoors
  • Sun Exposure: Prefers bright, indirect light; tolerates lower light but grows slower
  • Watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry; avoid overwatering
  • Temperature: Thrives in 60-80°F (16-27°C); protect from cold drafts
  • Humidity: Loves moderate to high humidity; mist occasionally or place near a humidifier
  • Fertilizer: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season
  • Soil Type: Well-draining potting mix; a mix of peat and perlite works well
  • Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0)
  • Toxicity: Mildly toxic to pets if ingested

Pro-Care Tips:

  • Light: Prefers bright, indirect light for healthy growth and potential blooms.
  • Water: Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering.
  • Temperature & Humidity: Thrives in warm (60-80°F) and humid conditions; mist occasionally or use a humidifier for best results.
  • Soil & Fertilizer: Use a well-draining potting mix and feed monthly during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Whether you're gifting it to a loved one or adding a heartwarming touch to your home, the Hoya Kerrii’s unique foliage and easy-care nature make it a standout addition to any indoor jungle. Perfect for Valentine's Day, anniversaries, or just because, this sweetheart plant is a lasting symbol of love and beauty.

    Plant Care FAQs

    7 Amazing Benefits of Houseplants

    Boost Aesthetics:
    Houseplants bring life and beauty to any space, softening harsh lines and adding natural elegance to your home or office. They even help screen views, fill empty spaces, and reduce noise, transforming your environment.

    Purify the Air:
    According to NASA, houseplants clean the air by removing toxins like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde, making your indoor spaces fresher and healthier. They also increase humidity, reducing dry skin and respiratory issues, especially during winter.

    Enhance Mood & Productivity:
    Plants aren't just beautiful—they make you feel good! Studies show that plants reduce stress, improve happiness, and boost concentration and memory by up to 20%. They’re also known to increase productivity and creativity in workspaces.

    Therapeutic & Healing:
    Caring for plants is therapeutic. Houseplants have been shown to reduce anxiety, depression, and even speed up recovery from illness or surgery, making them a great addition to your living space or even hospital rooms.

    Increase Focus & Attention:
    Live plants enhance focus and attention. Whether you're studying or working, having plants nearby helps you stay alert and concentrated, making them perfect companions for study areas and offices.

    Job Satisfaction:
    Adding plants to your office can lead to greater job satisfaction and a positive outlook. Research shows that employees working around greenery feel happier, more productive, and more connected to their workplace.

    Improve Air Quality:
    Plants are natural air purifiers, reducing harmful pollutants and refreshing the air. Species like spider plants, bamboo palms, and rubber trees help cleanse your indoor air, making your home healthier.

    Watering

    Houseplants have varying water needs depending on their growth and seasonal changes, so it's best to water as needed rather than on a schedule. Generally, water when the top 1/2 to 1 inch of soil is dry. Cacti need less water, while flowering plants may need more. Avoid overwatering, as it's a common cause of plant death. Water carefully to prevent leaf disease.

    Fertilizing

    Fertilizing houseplants depends on their growth rate, age, and season. Spring and summer are ideal for fertilizing as plants grow more, while little to no fertilizer is needed in fall and winter. Avoid overfertilizing, as it can burn roots. For flowering plants, use a balanced fertilizer and ensure it includes micronutrients to prevent deficiencies.

    Plant General Care

    Cleaning: Most houseplants benefit from regular cleaning to look their best. Dust tends to accumulate on leaves, so rinse them gently with room-temperature water. For plants with hairy leaves, use a soft brush to avoid trapping moisture. Smooth-leaved plants can be wiped with a soft cloth. This not only enhances their appearance but also helps them absorb more light.

    Pruning: You can prune houseplants year-round, but fall is a great time to trim them after a summer of growth. Pruning helps improve their appearance and control size. Cutting back overgrown plants to 4-6 inches encourages rejuvenation, especially for trailing plants like Swedish ivy and pothos. Make cuts just above buds or side shoots to promote new growth, and remove any dead or diseased leaves to prevent spreading.

    Pinching, which involves removing stem tips, encourages fuller, more compact growth. Simply pinch or cut the top leaves to stimulate side bud growth. Fast-growing plants benefit from regular pinching to maintain their shape.

    Repotting: Check the roots—if they're circling the inside of the pot, it's likely time to repot. You can transplant into a slightly larger container or, if you prefer to keep the same pot, trim some of the roots and refresh the soil. Repotting is also a great time to divide plants with multiple stems to create new ones. Spring and summer are ideal for repotting.

    Insects & Disease

    Insects:

    Several insects can attack houseplants, but insecticidal soap is an easy and effective treatment for most soft-bodied pests like aphids and spider mites. A strong spray of water can also help reduce their numbers. For insects with waxy coatings, such as scale and mealybugs, rubbing alcohol applied with a cotton ball works well.

    Consistency is key—fast-reproducing pests like aphids and spider mites may need weekly treatments for about a month to fully eliminate them.

    Fungus gnats, often mistaken for fruit flies, are common when plants are overwatered. Let the soil dry between waterings and remove any dead leaves from the soil surface. In severe cases, repotting the plant in fresh soil and a clean container may be necessary.

    Plant Disease

    To prevent the spread of plant diseases, promptly remove and destroy affected houseplants, leaves, or stems as soon as symptoms appear. Controlling insect populations can also help, as some diseases spread via pests. Common houseplant diseases and their treatments include:

    • Powdery Mildew: Appears as powdery white spots on leaves.
    • Fungal Leaf Spots: Yellow, brown, or black spots on leaves.
    • Root Rot: Mushy, dark-colored roots, usually caused by overwatering.