Is Hoya Kerrii (Sweetheart) safe for cats and dogs?

Also sold as: wax hearts, valentine hoya. Retail labels vary, so check the botanical name (Hoya kerrii) if you are matching a plant you already own.

What the ASPCA lists for Hoya Kerrii (Sweetheart)

The ASPCA records Hoya Kerrii (Sweetheart) (Hoya kerrii, family Asclepiadaceae) as Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses. Read the ASPCA entry.

The principle is recorded as Non-toxic, no clinical signs are listed, and unlike its relative Hoya carnosa this entry clears horses as well as dogs and cats.

The ASPCA titles this entry Sweetheart Hoya and gives it the alternative names wax hearts and valentine hoya, all references to the single heart-shaped leaf sold in a pot around Valentine's Day. That single leaf is usually just a leaf, with no stem node, so it will sit there for years without growing, which is a disappointment rather than a danger.

Do not confuse Hoya Kerrii (Sweetheart) with Heartleaf Philodendron

Heart-shaped leaves attract heart-shaped names, and here the two answers differ. The ASPCA lists Sweetheart Plant as an alternative name on the Heartleaf Philodendron entry, which is toxic to dogs, cats and horses. This page's plant is the Sweetheart Hoya, which is non-toxic to all three. One word separates them and the verdicts are opposite. Tell them apart by the leaf: the hoya leaf is thick, stiff and succulent, while the philodendron leaf is thin, soft and grows on a trailing vine. The ASPCA lists Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) as Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses, toxic principle Insoluble calcium oxalates, with clinical signs: Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing. Read the ASPCA entry for Heartleaf Philodendron. If you are unsure which one you have, treat it as the toxic plant until you can confirm, and call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if your pet has eaten any of it.

What this verdict does and does not mean

Being non-toxic does not mean a plant is chew-proof: even pet-safe houseplants can upset a cat's or dog's stomach if they eat a large amount, simply because it is plant matter. Most toxic houseplants cause irritant-level symptoms, such as drooling, mouth soreness, or a mild upset stomach, rather than a medical emergency. A small number of plants are a genuine emergency, most notably true lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) for cats, which can cause fatal kidney failure from even a small amount of pollen or a nibbled leaf. If you are ever in doubt, or your pet has eaten part of a plant, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435.

More on pet safety

Read the full care guide for Hoya Kerrii (Sweetheart), browse the pet safety checker for other plants, or identify a plant from a photo first if you are not sure what you have. Verdicts here follow the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list.