Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:08 pm
Hoya kerrii care, or the sweetheart plant care, is a lot more delicate than hoya care. While hoyas are generally easy to grow, hoya kerrii have specific needs that need to be met for them to thrive.
Hoya kerrii is a beautiful flowering plant that can be used as a focal point for any home. But hoyas are also sensitive plants and require the right care to thrive. In this blog post, we will discuss hoya kerrii care so you know exactly what to do if your hoya starts to show signs of distress or difficulty in growing.
Hoya kerrii, also known as the wax plant or hoya carnosa, is a slow-growing perennial houseplant. We will provide full hoya kerrii care information so that your hoya plants are healthy and thriving!
Origin and description of hoya kerrii
The hoya kerrii is a type of wax flower plant native to Australia. It can grow in both warm and cool climates. The leaves are green with red veins, while the flowers range from cream to dark mauve. Hoya kerrii care requires low light, high humidity, and warmth temperatures between 60°F-80°F.
Hoya kerrii is also native to Malaysia and found in the rainforest. The plant has leathery leaves with a thick waxy coating, which help protect it from high humidity and rainfall. Hoya kerrii flower shape changes based on its age – young flowers are bell shaped while older flowers develop into stars.
Hoya kerrii propagation
Propagating hoya kerrii is done primarily through cuttings. These can be taken from the vines, leaf stems and even flowers (only when they are young). The best time to propagate a new plant is during its flowering period as it responds well to rooting hormones.
Hoya kerrii care also includes making sure there is a drainage hole in the pot. The plant prefers soil that has excellent drainage and it is best to water when the surface of the soil becomes dry.
The hoya kerrii will produce small flowers, but over time, they can grow into large clusters which are covered with leaves. With proper care, this low light houseplant can live for decades.
Hoya kerrii care
Hoya kerrii care is easy, but there are a few key factors that will make all the difference in how your plant grows. These tips on hoya kerrii care can help you keep your plant healthy and thriving for years to come!
Light requirements
The first tip in hoya kerrii care is to make sure that it gets a lot of sunlight. This plant thrives in indirect sunlight and does not do well with full sun exposure, as the leaves will burn under intense heat. However, this plant also needs bright light for between six and twelve hours per day during its growing season. In terms of color temperature, the best option is around 7000k, which will create a bright environment for your plant.
Soil/potting mix
When it comes to soil, a well-draining medium is another important factor in hoya kerrii care. The best option would be an African violet mix that contains sand and perlite; however, you can also use fir bark or expanded clay pellets in order to create the right drainage.
If you plan on repotting your hoya kerrii, make sure that you do it in the springtime. This plant needs to be repotted every two years, so if your hoya kerrii is already root bound or showing signs of stress, then now would be a good time for a new pot.
When choosing the right container size, keep in mind that this plant does not like being cramped in a small pot, so choose one that is about three inches larger than the previous container. Also, when choosing a new container for your plant, it’s best to avoid using terra cotta or plastic pots since these materials do not provide good drainage and will break down over time.
For optimal results with soil pH levels, aim for a range between 5 and 6.
Watering
In terms of watering, this plant prefers to have water that is warm. In general, it’s best to avoid using cold or ice-cold water from your tap as the sudden change in temperature can shock the roots and cause damage.
When you choose a container for this plant, make sure that there are holes at the bottom so excess water can drain out. If the soil is constantly moist, the plant will start to rot and this can be fatal for your hoya kerrii plant. Also, it’s important that you water frequently but don’t do so excessively as this could cause root rot or lead to fungal growth on both leaves and stems.
If you notice your hoya kerrii has a fungal infection, it’s best to use a fungicide that is meant for outdoor plants. This will only be effective if you notice the problem early on and begin treatment quickly.
In general, the plant should not require more than one cup of water at a time; however, some experts recommend using two cups per week when growing indoors.
Fertilizer
When it comes to providing fertilizer for your plant, you should only use a diluted solution once per month. Over-fertilizing can be toxic and kill the roots of this plant which will cause irreversible damage.
Since the soil needs time to dry out completely between waterings, you may not require any fertilizers during your plant’s resting period. However, you can use a diluted solution of fertilizer once per month during the growing season to ensure optimal health and growth for your plant.
The best option for this plant is an all-purpose or houseplant formula that has been specifically designed for succulents and cacti; however, it’s also possible to use a balanced 20-20-20 solution. When using fertilizer, be sure that you dilute the product according to package instructions and only fertilize every month.
Temperature
In terms of temperature, the best option for this plant is a range between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day with nighttime temperatures in the fifties. If your hoya kerrii becomes exposed to higher temperatures or drafty conditions, it will develop brown leaf tips that eventually turn black. This can be prevented by keeping humidity levels around the plant between 50 and 70%.
Humidity
This is a tropical plant that prefers humidity levels of around 80%; however, the air needs to be moving in order for this kind of environment to exist. Therefore, placing your hoya kerrii on a windowsill where there’s movement from fans or open doors will work best since these conditions mimic their natural habitat.
In terms of humidity, this plant needs a range between 50 and 70% in order to thrive. If the air is too dry or drafty, your hoya kerrii will develop brown leaf tips that eventually turn black; however, when the conditions are too humid, you may notice black spots appearing on leaves due to fungus or fungal disease.
The best way to increase humidity levels around your plant is by placing it on a windowsill where there’s movement from fans or open doors; however, the air needs to be moving in order for this sort of environment to exist because hoya kerrii originates from areas with consistent warm weather. If you don’t have a good source of moving air in your home, you can use a humidity tray or room humidifier to add moisture back into the environment.
Pruning
When it comes to pruning, this plant should only be trimmed when there are dead leaves on the stem. If you trim your plant too much at once or cut into its healthy tissue, the wound will not heal; instead, it could cause more damage and lead to fungal growth.
In general, most people shouldn’t need to prune their hoya kerrii because it’s a slow-growing plant. However, you can trim dead leaves or stems back once they become too long; just be sure that any cuts are at least an inch away from healthy tissue in order to avoid infection and other problems.
When to repot
In terms of repotting this plant, you should only do so when the roots have become potbound. If they are not bound to their container at all or there is a lot of extra space around them, it’s best to leave them alone and avoid disturbing the root system as much as possible.
If your hoya kerrii is potbound or the roots are spilling out of their container, it’s time to repot this plant. However, you should only do so when they need a larger space because over-potting can cause problems with drainage and root rot in certain conditions; therefore, make sure any extra soil is broken away from around the roots before moving them into a larger container.
A good rule of thumb for this plant is the general rule of the three “finger gap” method where you should only repot your succulent when it possesses a root system that can fill up its current pot to about three fingers or at least has roots coming out through drainage holes around the bottom. This ensures optimal drainage without limiting the space for growth.
Additionally, make sure you don’t try to over-pot your plant because it can cause problems with drainage and root rot in certain conditions; therefore, use a container that’s only as big as necessary. For example, if there is no extra soil around the roots or they are not potbound, it’s best to leave them alone and only repot if they need a larger space.
Dormancy
In some cases, hoya kerrii can go into a type of dormancy during the winter months where they appear to be dead; however, as soon as warm weather returns, they will sprout new leaves.
If your plant is going through a dormant period and appears to have died back completely with no signs of life or growth for several months, it’s best to just leave them alone and wait until warmer weather returns. By doing so, the plant should recover nicely with leaves sprouting out of their stems once spring or summer comes around again.
Flowers & Fragrance
The hoya kerrii produces small, delicate flowers throughout spring and summer with colors ranging from pale white to a deep yellow. These flowers have a distinct, sweet fragrance that many people find appealing; however, it’s also known to cause mild allergic reactions in some individuals who breathe in too much of the plant’s scent for an extended amount of time.
In addition to their small, white, or yellow delicate flowers and fragrant smell resembling jasmine, the hoya kerrii is also known to cause mild allergic reactions in some individuals.
Growth rate
Hoya kerrii is a slow-growing plant that doesn’t require much attention or care to thrive and stay healthy.
The hoya kerrii is fairly low maintenance when it comes to their growth rate; however, this makes them an ideal plant for growers who don’t have the time or resources necessary to keep more demanding plants alive. As a result, it’s known to be fairly slow-growing and doesn’t require much attention or care to thrive in most conditions.
This plant is an ideal candidate for growers who don’t have the time or resources necessary to keep more demanding plants alive due to its low maintenance growth rate. Additionally, hoya kerrii can also be a good option for those who suffer from mild allergic reactions when it comes to its fragrant smell resembling jasmine.
Toxicity
There are no known toxic or dangerous effects from ingesting a hoya kerrii, so you can rest easy knowing that your kids and pets won’t get sick from chewing on leaves.
Although there have been some cases of people experiencing mild allergic reactions when inhaling the scent for an extended period of time, it’s not poisonous to eat, so you don’t have to worry about your kids or pets getting sick from chewing on leaves.
USDA Hardiness Zones
Hoya kerrii is hardy in USDA zones 11-12.
Since hoya kerrii grows best in tropical climates, it’s considered one of the world’s easiest houseplants to grow; however, they can also be grown outdoors as well and are said to do quite nicely when planted outside within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) zones 11 and 12.
Pests and diseases
The hoya kerrii is very resistant to common pests and diseases, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble keeping it alive.
Since the hoya kerrii isn’t susceptible to many plant-related illnesses or pests, they’re a good choice for those who aren’t as experienced in taking care of plants; however, if anything does happen, you shouldn’t have too much trouble keeping it alive.
The hoya kerrii plant is not susceptible to many common pests or diseases which makes them an ideal candidate for growers who don’t have much experience in maintaining plants.
Conclusion
With all of this in mind, it’s easy to see why the hoya kerrii is one of the easiest houseplants to grow. If you’re looking for a new plant that won’t take up too much time or resources then look no further because your search ends with this plant.
The hoya kerrii may be one of the most resilient plants to take care of which makes it an excellent choice for those who are new or experienced when it comes to taking care of plants; however, you should still pay attention because there’s always a chance that something could happen.
