How to Make Heart Hoya Kerrii Plant (Faux Succulent)

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How to Make Heart Hoya Kerrii Plant (Faux Succulent)

Learn how to make a sweet, low-maintenance plant that will never wilt!

Today I’m sharing how to make a faux heart-shaped Hoya kerrii using the xTool S1 20W laser cutting machine and light green acrylic.

This modern DIY captures the charm of the popular “sweetheart plant” without any of the upkeep, making it a perfect desk accent, Birthday, Holiday or Valentine’s day gift, or year-round décor.

With just a sheet of acrylic and your laser, you can create a lasting piece that looks both playful and chic.

Let's get started!

VALENTINE OR SWEETHEART PLANT:

The hoya heart plant has heart-shaped leaves, so one of it's common names if the Valentine hoya.

With proper care, natural light and well-draining soil, the succulent leaves can grow and become a gorgeous full plant.

Indoor plants are so hard for me to keep alive, and having them die on me hurts my heart, so I opted for faking the lucky heart plant.

I'm doing single heart-shaped leaf hoya plants in a new pot and a larger pot, it doesn't need potting mix, good drainage or bright light.

VALENTINE OR SWEETHEART PLANT: The hoya heart plant has heart-shaped leaves, so one of it's common names if the Valentine hoya. With proper care, natural light and well-draining soil, the succulent leaves can grow and become a gorgeous full plant. Indoor plants are so hard for me to keep alive, and having them die on me hurts my heart, so I opted for faking the lucky heart plant. I'm doing single heart-shaped leaf hoya plants in a new pot and a larger pot, it doesn't need potting mix, good drainage or bright light.

The most distinctive feature of hoya kerrii single-leaf plant (not the sweetheart vine) are the waxy leaves in the full heart shape.

I acquired a heart hoya that was already nearly dead, so I figured I'd have a better chance taking care of it.

It's a good thing I wasn't too attached (like paid for it) because even though I put it in a special place, sang to it and gave it regular but light waterings, it perished.

I saved the pot it came in and decided to make my own that would die on me.

The most distinctive feature of hoya kerrii single-leaf plant (not the sweetheart vine) are the waxy leaves in the full heart shape. I acquired a heart hoya that was already nearly dead, so I figured I'd have a better chance taking care of it. It's a good thing I wasn't too attached (like paid for it) because even though I put it in a special place, sang to it and gave it regular but light waterings, it perished. I saved the pot it came in and decided to make my own that would die on me.

Supplies Needed for Hoya Kerrii Heart Faux Succulent Plant DIY:

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xTool S1 20W laser cutting machine
Light green acrylic sheet (1/8" thick)
Small pot (terra cotta, ceramic, or decorative of your choice)
Air Dry Clay (and Rocks for weight)
Hot glue gun + glue sticks
Reindeer moss or sphagnum moss
Heart Leaf Pick Design (FREE AT END OF POST)

Step 1: Prepare for Laser Cutting

Place your light green acrylic sheet into the xTool S1 bed.

Use the Mark Area feature to position your heart design on the acrylic.

Adjust cut settings for 3mm acrylic (generally around 80–90% power, full speed cut, depending on material thickness, I generally go with the xTool default for the material).

Mask the acrylic with transfer tape if you want to reduce scorch marks.

Step 1: Prepare for Laser Cutting Place your light green acrylic sheet into the xTool S1 bed. Use the Mark Area feature to position your heart design on the acrylic. Adjust cut settings for 3mm acrylic (generally around 80–90% power, full speed cut, depending on material thickness, I generally go with the xTool default for the material). Mask the acrylic with transfer tape if you want to reduce scorch marks.

Step 2: Cut the Heart Leaf Pick

Send the design to the xTool S1.

Watch carefully as the laser cuts the heart with stem from the acrylic.

Once complete, remove the heart shape and peel off any masking tape.

The acrylic needed 2 passes to cut out cleanly.

It only took a few minutes for the cutting process and I love watching every second of it!

There's a little acrylic dust after cutting, so use a cloth and some rubbing alcohol to clean up the pieces.

Save your green acrylic sheet for another project.

Step 3: Assemble the Faux Plant

Find a pot for the heart hoya leaf that is a little smaller than the diameter of the leaf.

I love when a fat, chubby leaf fills out the pot it's inside.

You can paint the pot and add your own customization or just use one thrifted as is.

Step 3: Assemble the Faux Plant Find a pot for the heart hoya leaf that is a little smaller than the diameter of the leaf. I love when a fat, chubby leaf fills out the pot it's inside. You can paint the pot and add your own customization or just use one thrifted as is.

Use the air dry clay and fill the pot to the top, if you want to add additional weight to balance the plant, add a few medium size rocks as you layer the clay.

Pack the clay in the base of the pot to fill it out as much as possible and add weight and sturdiness to the base of the pot.

I used straight clay in the mini pot and just filled it up, quite packed, up to about 1/2" from the top edge of the pot.

Once it's really packed in there, it will hold its shape as the clay dries.

If it pops out after it's dry, you can add some hot glue to the inside of the pot and pop the clay back down inside.

Insert the acrylic heart stem into the clay until it feels stable, then let the clay dry completely...about a day or two.

I just set mine in the other room and let it dry completely for about a week.

Then I finished it off and displayed them in my home...adding a little greenery where plants don't thrive.

If you'd rather use small pebbles as filler, you can add them now to the surface of the air dry clay.

Step 4: Add Moss

Now that the air dry clay is completely dry, it's time to add some filler in the top of the plant.

I used some reindeer moss from the dollar store and just packed it in around the top of the pot under the heart hoya, enough to cover just the base of the heart.

They look 'almost' as cute as the real thing--I had the best time making these!

They are easy to maintain and care for...and make a fun gift for a housewarming or holiday!

Step 4: Display and Enjoy

Your faux heart Hoya kerrii plant is now ready to brighten up your space!

It’s a fun, modern twist on greenery that never needs watering—perfect for gifting or keeping for yourself.

A darling sweetheart hoya plant is a great gift for a plant lover or plant enthusiasts, and a single leaf hoya made from acrylic is good idea for a friend (or me) with an absolutely black thumb.

I hope that you are excited to make one of your own!

I've got the xTool file and pattern available for FREE at the end of the post.

A darling sweetheart hoya plant is a great gift for a plant lover or plant enthusiasts, and a single leaf hoya made from acrylic is good idea for a friend (or me) with an absolutely black thumb. I hope that you are excited to make one of your own! I've got the xTool file and pattern available for FREE at the end of the post.

That's it!

It's easy to make a heart hoya using the xTool S1 and some light green acrylic.

They are super cute, make great gifts or part of a gift basket and they brighten even the darkest of corners.

If you are excited to make your own, click the link to get the free file below.

Like, Pin and Save!

It's easy to make a heart hoya using the xTool S1 and some light green acrylic. They are super cute, make great gifts or part of a gift basket and they brighten even the darkest of corners. If you are excited to make your own, click the link to get the free file below.

HOW TO CARE FOR A REAL HOYA KERRII:

The heart-shaped Hoya kerrii, often called the “Sweetheart Plant,” is a slow-growing succulent that’s both charming and low maintenance.

It thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers a well-draining cactus or succulent soil mix.

Water sparingly—allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, as overwatering can cause root rot.

This plant does well in average household humidity and temperatures, and it can live happily for years in a small pot.

With patience, a single heart leaf may eventually grow into a full trailing vine, making it a long-lasting and symbolic gift of love.

It's native habitat is in Southeast Asia with high humidity levels.

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