Hoya kerrii Variegata - Hoya heart

The Hoya kerrii 'Variegata' or Variegated Heart Plant is a tropical houseplant named for its distinctly heart-shaped leaves, often sold for Valentine's Day or as a romantic gift. Interesting year-round, it develops thick, glossy leaves that grow on long lianas, making it ideal for hanging baskets where it cascades elegantly, or as a climbing plant on a support. In this cultivar, the leaves are beautifully variegated with creamy yellow in an irregular pattern along the lamina edges. Its stunning flowering, with porcelain-like blooms, may take time to appear but is exquisitely beautiful, forming white umbels reminiscent of fine porcelain.

The Hoya kerrii 'Variegata' is derived from the Hoya obovata var. kerrii, also known as the Wax Flower or Valentine Hoya. This species originates from Southeast Asia, particularly northern Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, southern Vietnam, Java, and parts of China. In these regions, this epiphytic plant climbs up other vegetation, using it as a support to reach several metres in height. With a slow to moderate growth, the Hoya kerrii develops very thick, succulent leaves on lianas that can grow up to 4 metres long. Its spring or summer indoor flowering produces umbels of star-shaped, creamy-white flowers with a red centre featuring a texture reminiscent of porcelain, with tiny red beads at the centre. Grouped in clusters of 15 to 20 or more, they are borne on long pedunculate stems, forming bunches of 5-6 cm in diameter. In the 'Variegata' cultivar, the flowers have a pink centre and the leaves are marginate with creamy yellow.

The Hoya genus belongs to the Apocynaceae family and comprises around 400 species native to the warm, humid regions of Southeast Asia, Australia, and Polynesia where they thrive in tropical forests. Primarily shrubs or epiphytic lianas, they often anchor themselves to tree trunks and branches using aerial roots enabling them to grow towards the light. This unique climbing habit has made them popular as ornamental houseplants ideal for climbing up supports or cascading from hanging baskets.

The Hoya kerrii 'Variegata' prefers bright, indirect light but also enjoys a few hours of direct sunlight daily, avoiding the strongest midday rays. Use an epiphytic plant substrate such as an orchid mix and allow it to dry completely between waterings. The Hoya kerrii 'Variegata' thrives in temperatures between 18°C and 26°C (not below 10°C), with humidity levels between 40% and 60%. You can choose to train it to climb up a support such as a simple stake or small trellis, or use it in a hanging display, allowing its flexible stems to drape freely.