What it is: This listing is Hoya kerrii Albomarginata, a sweetheart hoya with heart-shaped leaves edged in cream. NC State lists 'Variegata' with a green centre and creamy-white border. It belongs to the Hoya genus in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae).

Light: Bright light without hot direct sun. NC State Extension lists sweetheart hoya as a bright-light plant, and low light leads to thin growth and few or no flowers (Iowa State Extension). Grow bulbs in a nearby lamp can help through dark winters. Variegated forms need good light to grow well, although no light level guarantees how much variegation new leaves will show.

Watering & care: Use a pot with good drainage and let the mix dry somewhat between waterings (NC State Extension). Overwatering can cause root rot and hold back flowering. Thin, wrinkled or brown leaves mean it has been left too dry (NC State Extension). Keeping it snug in its pot helps avoid excess water (NC State Extension). Use room-temperature water, because cold water can shock it (NC State Extension). A more humid room, such as a kitchen or bathroom, helps (NC State Extension). A room humidifier is the most effective way to raise humidity; a pebble tray gives only a small, local boost. Don't cut back its long, bare, twining stems: new leaves and flowers form along them (NC State Extension).

Winter indoors: Sweetheart hoya likes warmth, ideally 18–27 °C (65–80 °F), and cooler temperatures slow its growth and flowering (NC State Extension). Hoyas are semi-dormant in winter, so water less and let the mix get fairly dry, but never completely dry (RHS). Keep it away from cold windows and drafts.

Flowers: It is a slow grower and can be shy to flower while young (NC State Extension). Never cut off old flower stalks (spurs), because they can rebloom (RHS). When it does flower, the blooms can drip reddish-brown nectar that stains fabric and walls, and they are fragrant at night (NC State Extension). Blooming is not guaranteed.

Expected indoor size: It is slow-growing (NC State Extension). Over the years the stems lengthen slowly and can be trained on a trellis or left to cascade from a hanging pot (NC State Extension). Growth depends on light, warmth, pot size and care, so treat this as a guide rather than a promise.

Feeding: Hoyas need only light feeding: about every couple of weeks in spring and summer with a balanced feed (ideally urea-free), reduced to about once a month in autumn and winter (RHS). Our All Purpose Fertilizer works at the label dilution. Flush the pot with plain water every few months to prevent salt build-up, and don't feed for 5–6 weeks after repotting (RHS). For plants old enough to flower, some growers also use a bloom feed such as Gaia Green Powerbloom fertilizer; follow its label.

Pets: NC State Extension lists Hoya kerrii as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Still keep plants out of reach of pets that chew.

About your plant: Every plant is a little different. Size, fullness, leaf count and leaf colour or variegation vary from plant to plant and change with age and light. The size option (3", 4", 6") refers to the pot diameter. It does not guarantee an exact plant height or leaf count. Photos and the shared gallery image show typical plants from our greenhouse, not the specific plant you will receive. Flowers in photos are from mature plants; your plant may not be in bloom or old enough to flower.