Sweetheart plant care guideHoya kerrii
Sold as single heart-shaped leaf. Ranked #45 of Europe's most-searched houseplants.
WateringWhen and how much water
Water Sweetheart plant when the soil has dried out completely. In summer that's typically every 14 to 21 days; in winter slow down to every 30 to 45 days, sometimes less. Use room-temperature water and let any excess drain — never leave the pot sitting in standing water.
The real schedule depends on three things the calendar can't see: the actual light at the plant, the pot's size and material (terracotta dries faster than glazed ceramic), and your local humidity. Botanicaly's app retunes the schedule from those signals on every reminder.
LightHow bright a spot it needs
Sweetheart plant is bright / direct light: needs several hours of direct sun. Turn the pot every week so it grows evenly. The ideal lux range is 10,000 - 50,000 lux. In practical terms, place it directly in front of a south or southwest window, or 30 cm from an east window.
TroubleshootingCommon problems
Most Sweetheart plant problems trace back to watering — here's how to read the leaves.
Signs of overwatering
Watch for: Yellowing leaves · Mushy stems · Black soft base · Root rot. Let the soil dry further between waterings and make sure the pot drains freely — soggy roots are the usual cause.
Signs of underwatering
Watch for: Wrinkled heart leaves · Soft puckered leaves · Limp foliage. Water a little more often and don't let the soil go bone-dry for long.
Pet safetySafe with cats and dogs
Pet-safe. Sweetheart plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs. Safe to keep in a home with pets.
Browse all pet-safe houseplants →
Pet-safety is hand-checked against ASPCA toxicity data — verified by people, not guessed by AI.
Field noteSomething worth knowing
A single leaf cutting will live indefinitely but rarely produces a new shoot; the heart-shaped leaf you bought may stay one leaf for years.
Get the personalised schedule
Botanicaly tunes water, light, and care reminders for Sweetheart plant based on your home's actual conditions. Free on iOS and Android.
Download BotanicalyFAQCommon questions
How often should I water a Sweetheart plant?
Water your Sweetheart plant (Hoya kerrii) when the soil has dried out completely. In summer, that's typically every 14 to 21 days; in winter, slow down to every 30 to 45 days, sometimes less. Botanicaly's app tunes this further based on your home's actual light, pot size, and local weather.
How much light does a Sweetheart plant need?
Sweetheart plant is bright / direct light: needs several hours of direct sun. Turn the pot every week so it grows evenly. The ideal lux range is 10,000 - 50,000 lux. In practical terms, place it directly in front of a south or southwest window, or 30 cm from an east window.
Is Sweetheart plant safe for cats and dogs?
Sweetheart plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs. Safe to keep in a home with pets.
Why are my Sweetheart plant's leaves turning yellow or drooping?
On a Sweetheart plant, yellowing and soft growth usually mean overwatering — watch for yellowing leaves, mushy stems, or black soft base. Let the soil dry further between waterings and check drainage. If the leaves are wrinkled heart leaves, soft puckered leaves, or limp foliage instead, it's likely thirsty — water a little more often. Botanicaly's Plant Doctor can diagnose it from a photo.