Heart-shaped ivy topiary

 Love is in the air this month and the ultimate symbol of that is the heart. My engagement ring is a heart and I really love anything heart-shaped; stones, beads, vases, etc. It makes sense that I would also love any plant with heart-shaped leaves. The topiary above is made of ivy but can be made with any vining plant and a  frame.

Here is the Valentine’s Day card displayed behind the topiary. It is my mom’s received from my dad back in the 50s.

Mom’s valentine

Philodendrons
The two philodendrons shown are commonly called heart-shaped philodendron, Philodendron hederaceum (or scandens)  and the ‘Lemon Lime’ variety.

‘Lemon Lime’ philodendron

They are very easy to grow, tolerate low light levels, and are relatively pest-free. I really have an appreciation for this plant. Common does not mean boring. This plant definitely has a place in my home, wherever I have a low light situation.

Heart leaf philodendron

I photographed this philodendron at Hidden Lake Garden in Tipton, Michigan. I loved the unusual heart shape leaf, and it was a Valentine’s Day trip with my husband, so it was extra special!

Philodendron

Rosary Vine

Variegated rosary vine

I love the Rosary vine, Ceropegia woodii, but I like the variegated form even more. This is an easy-to-grow succulent vine, perfect for a hanging basket. It produces small bulbils on the vines which can be used to propagate the plant. They need plenty of light to have the best coloration.

Opuntia

I saw this stacked heart opuntia at Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2012. (Read more about it in this post.)
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Stacked heart opuntia

Opuntia

Hoyas

This is my heart-shaped hoya vine Hoya kerrii, one of many hoyas I have in my collection. They have lovely star-shaped flowers borne in clusters, many of them fragrant. The varieties and sizes are endless, but that is a post for another day.

Variegated Hoya kerrii

Hoya kerrii

Euphorbia

I took a bit of creative license below. Do you see the heart?

Crested Euphorbia lactea cristata

Anthurium

The anthurium below was also at Hidden Lake. I included it because a  spathe is a modified leaf and it is a pink pretty heart.

Anthurium spathe and spadix

I hope your month and year are filled with love and of course plenty of houseplants! 

Edited on February 13th, 2016.