Mollie Brown Shares 25 Plants With Heart-Shaped Leaves To Help Spread The Love

climbing shrub with green, heart-shaped leaves growing against a white wall

By MOLLIE BROWN / Updated September 20th, 2024
Reviewed By ROY NICOL / Meets Our Editorial Guidelines

Plants with heart-shaped leaves can not only help spread the love, but can look beautiful as potted houseplants in your home or growing in your garden borders.

If you desire heart-shaped foliage then this guide is just for you – we share twenty-five plants that each have unique leaves that will each add a touch of romance to your home or garden.

1) Heart-Shaped Hoya

hoyas with waxy leaves growing in small grey pots in rows

BOTANICAL NAME: Hoya kerrii
HARDINESS RATING: H1C
PLANT TYPE: houseplant
FOLIAGE: evergreen
FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer

A perfect plant to give as a gift on Valentine’s day, the heart-shaped hoya is aptly named after its waxy green leaves that are shaped like hearts.¹

Grown as a houseplant here in the UK, this unfussy plant has evergreen leaves that will fill your home with love all year round.

Why not grow one of these plants in your own home so you can later propagate it and give the new plants away to all of your loved ones?

2) Dutchman’s Pipe

Aristolochia macrophylla with heart-shaped leaves growing from round brown wooden stems in front of a blurred green background

BOTANICAL NAME: Aristolochia macrophylla
HARDINESS RATING: H6
PLANT TYPE: climber
FOLIAGE: deciduous
FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer

An unusual and different plant, Aristolochia macrophylla, also known as the Dutchman’s pipe, is a hardy climber that produces green, heart-shaped leaves that can grow up to 30cm long.

With unexpected mottled flowers that appear during the summer, this deciduous climber would make a great addition to any garden, provided you have the space to accommodate its height.

I’d recommend growing this shrub against a wall or trellis where it can be allowed to attach itself and grow up the structure freely.

3) Heart-Leaved Philodendron

heart-leaved philodendron plant with yellow and orange flowers growing indoors in front of a window

BOTANICAL NAME: Philodendron scandens
HARDINESS RATING: H1B
PLANT TYPE: shrub / climber / houseplant
FOLIAGE: evergreen
FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer

A popular houseplant, the heart-leaf philodendron is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 4m in height.

It is mostly grown for its large, heart-shaped leaves that are mainly green in colour but can also be variegated or spotted with white and yellow.

Philodendrons are very easy to care for and will only need to be watered when the soil is left to completely dry out.

4) Foxglove Tree

a hand holding the dark green leaf of a foxglove tree

BOTANICAL NAME: Paulownia tomentosa
HARDINESS RATING: H5
PLANT TYPE: tree
FOLIAGE: deciduous
FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring

Paulownia tomentosa is a medium-sized tree that is known for its tubular purple flowers that grow in clusters during spring.

However, the Foxglove Tree also produces large, heart-shaped leaves that cover the branches, usually only dying back for 3 months in winter.

Although it can grow up to 12m in height, this tree can be pruned regularly and eventually will only grow to the trained height.

“This is achieved by stooling, which is when all growth is pruned back to the main trunk in the early spring, after which the leaves produced are enormous,” shares Horticultural Consultant Roy Nicol.

So, if you have the time and patience to reap the benefits of this deciduous plant, it is definitely worth considering.

5) Creeping Oxalis

creeping oxalis with a singular yellow star-shaped flower

BOTANICAL NAME: Oxalis corniculata
HARDINESS RATING: H5
PLANT TYPE: perennial
FOLIAGE: deciduous
FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer

This small perennial is often used as a ground cover plant and bears 3-leaved, clover-like panicles that resemble hearts.

Creeping oxalis also bears daisy-like yellow flowers that flower from early spring, providing a burst of colour if you choose to plant this perennial.

However, keep in mind that this plant does have a spreading habit and can quite quickly become a weed that you might not be able to get rid of if you don’t regularly prune it.

6) Paddy’s Pride

paddy's pride plant growing against a metal trellis with heart-formed green and yellow variegated leaves

BOTANICAL NAME: Hedera colchica ‘Sulphur Heart’
HARDINESS RATING: H5
PLANT TYPE: shrub / climber
FOLIAGE: evergreen
FLOWERING SEASON(S): autumn

A stunning evergreen shrub, paddy’s pride has green and yellow variegation on its heart-shaped leaves that can grow up to 20cm long.

The shrub itself has a climbing habit and can reach up to 8m tall, so is best grown against a trellis or wall at the back of a border or bed.

As a hardy evergreen it needs very little care and can offer colour even in the depths of winter.

7) Nephthytis

potted Syngonium podophyllum plant with green leaves growing indoors

BOTANICAL NAME: Syngonium podophyllum
HARDINESS RATING: H1A
PLANT TYPE: houseplant / shrub / climber
FOLIAGE: evergreen
FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer

Another climber when grown in its native environment, Nephthytis is a small shrub that produces large heart-shaped leaves that are usually green and tinged with silver.

Similar in appearance to a philodendron, this plant (which is grown as a houseplant in UK conditions) should be grown in a loam-based potting medium and should be placed in a spot that is sheltered from direct sunlight.

8) Betel Pepper

betel pepper plant with light green leaves growing from a pot

BOTANICAL NAME: Piper betle
HARDINESS RATING: H4
PLANT TYPE: perennial / houseplant
FOLIAGE: evergreen
FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer

Not to be mistaken with Betel leaf, which is a popular herb used in Thai and Indian cuisines, Betel Pepper is a perennial that is typically grown as a houseplant here in the UK.

With aromatic, heart-shaped leaves, this evergreen plant is a great choice for adding green, heart-shaped warmth to your bright indoor spaces.

Although betel pepper is quite difficult to get your hands on, it is a relatively easy plant to grow and is suitable for beginners who are just getting used to caring for houseplants.

9) Taro

taro plant with large green veined leaves

BOTANICAL NAME: Colocasia esculenta
HARDINESS RATING: H1B
PLANT TYPE: perennial / houseplant
FOLIAGE: evergreen
FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer

Perhaps producing the largest leaves on this list, Taro is a frost-tender evergreen that bears large heart-shaped leaves all year round.

Also grown as a houseplant here in the UK, this leafy perennial can also be harvested and the edible corm can be used in a range of dishes.²

However, if it’s just ornamental value you’re after, Taro is also really easy to care for when grown indoors and can grow well in dark, humid spaces in your home – like a kitchen or bathroom.

10) Redbud ‘Hearts Of Gold’

redbud 'hearts of gold' tree with lots of yellow and light green leaves

BOTANICAL NAME: Cercis canadensis ‘Hearts of Gold’
HARDINESS RATING: H5
PLANT TYPE: tree
FOLIAGE: deciduous
FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring

Cercis canadensis ‘Hearts Of Gold’ is a stunning redbud variety that produces autumnal golden-green leaves that are perfectly heart-shaped.

This medium-sized tree also produces pink flowering clusters with petals (that also look like hearts!) whilst the leaves die back during the colder months of the year – providing some interest even when the main attraction has come and gone.

I’d recommend planting this deciduous tree as a focal-point in a large garden.

11) Morning Glory ‘Grandpa Otts’

purple flowering Ipomoea purpurea 'grandpa Otts' plant with its leaves growing next to a wall indoors

BOTANICAL NAME: Ipomoea purpurea ‘Grandpa Otts’
HARDINESS RATING: H1C
PLANT TYPE: shrub / climber / annual
FOLIAGE: deciduous
FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn

A frost-tender shrub, usually grown as an annual, Morning Glory ‘Grandpa Otts’ is grown as an annual and looks great when grown against some kind of support, like a trellis or against a wall.

With large funnel-shaped blooms that come in shades of purple, blue and pink and heart-shaped green leaves, this deciduous climber will make a unique addition to your garden, especially during the summer and autumn months.

12) Persian Cyclamen

cyclamen persicum plant with pink flowers and variegated leaves growing between two mossy rocks outside

BOTANICAL NAME: Cyclamen persicum
HARDINESS RATING: H1C
PLANT TYPE: houseplant
FOLIAGE: deciduous
FLOWERING SEASON(S): winter / spring

The Persian Cyclamen is another frost-tender plant that is usually grown indoors, producing pink and white flowers on upright stems in the winter and spring.

The rounded green leaves are often variegated and can be tinged with silver before going dormant over the summer months.

I love this plant, as, unlike many deciduous houseplants, cyclamen often lose their foliage during the summer season, but will reawaken in the colder months offering colour in your home when you most need it.

13) Golden Pothos

potted golden pathos plant with green and white variegation on its heart-shaped leaves

BOTANICAL NAME: Epipremnum aureum
HARDINESS RATING: H1B
PLANT TYPE: shrub / climber / houseplant
FOLIAGE: evergreen
FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer

With variegated, heart-shaped leaves in shades of cream, yellow and green, golden pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is an evergreen houseplant that can cope with a dark and humid location in the home.

An easy plant to grow that will thrive in most UK homes, make sure you have the time to prune and divide this shrub, as golden pothos can grow up to 8m in height.

I grow this plant on a shelf in my dining room and its beautiful cascading foliage spill down to offer a beautiful, contemporary look.

14) Katsura Tree

katsura tree with red leaves growing from wooden branches outside

BOTANICAL NAME: Cercidiphyllum japonicum
HARDINESS RATING: H5
PLANT TYPE: tree
FOLIAGE: deciduous
FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring

A large tree, Cercidiphyllum japonicum produces colourful heart-shaped leaves that come in shades of yellow, pink and orange depending on the time of the year.

This low-maintenance tree looks great in gardens that have the space to grow it and will do best when planted in acidic soil in a sheltered position.

15) Swiss Cheese Plant

swiss cheese plants with heart-formed leaves growing in front of a white wall

BOTANICAL NAME: Monstera deliciosa
HARDINESS RATING: H1B
PLANT TYPE: houseplant / shrub
FOLIAGE: evergreen
FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer

Best grown in a sheltered place out of direct sunlight, the swiss cheese plant is a popular UK houseplant that is known for its pinnatisect, abnormally-formed leaves that can grow up to a huge 90cm long.

This is a great shrub to grow in a bright, airy room and will add a touch of heart-shaped greenery that is bound to delight both you and your guests.

16) Common Lime

a common lime tree with light green leaves growing outdoors

BOTANICAL NAME: Tilia × europaea
HARDINESS RATING: H7
PLANT TYPE: tree
FOLIAGE: deciduous
FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer

One of the larger trees on this list, Tilia × europaea is a summer flowering plant that produces green, heart-shaped leaves that turn yellow in the autumn months before falling from the tree’s branches over the winter dormancy period.

This plant is beloved by pollinators and will make a great choice for a wildlife-friendly garden if you have the space to grow it.

Make sure Common Lime gets plenty of sun, as it will grow best in a site that receives several hours of sunlight a day.

17) Siberian Bugloss ‘Jack Frost’

ground-covering variegated leaves from a brunnera macrophylla 'Jack frost' plant with tiny clusters of blue flowers growing from tall thin stems

BOTANICAL NAME: Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’
HARDINESS RATING: H6
PLANT TYPE: perennial
FOLIAGE: deciduous
FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring

This Siberian bugloss variety is a true delight for foliage lovers, as the stunning heart-shaped silver and green leaves are truly a sight to behold.

‘Jack Frost’ also produces tiny, blue daisy-like flowers in the spring which shoot up from tall stems amongst the large leaves.

As a plant that thrives in shade, you can use Siberian bugloss as a ground cover plant or grow it underneath larger plants.

“I find this to be a reliable plant for the shade which steadily spreads by creeping rhizomes as well as self-seeding, although seedlings often lose the variegated foliage and revert to green,” adds Roy.

“Having said that, with a little selective management, it develops into attractive ground cover.”

18) Heart Fern

Hemionitis arifolia fern with angular leaves in a heart shape growing in a rocky woodland area

BOTANICAL NAME: Hemionitis arifolia
HARDINESS RATING: H1C
PLANT TYPE: fern
FOLIAGE: evergreen

This frost-tender fern is most commonly grown as a houseplant and produces slender leaves that look great in any indoor display.

Grow Hemionitis arifolia in a loam-based medium with an acidic pH for the best results, and make sure it is out of direct sunlight as too much sun can scorch the surface of its leaves.

19) Indian Bean Tree

Indian bean tree with thin green beans hanging from wooden stems

BOTANICAL NAME: Catalpa bignonioides
HARDINESS RATING: H6
PLANT TYPE: tree
FOLIAGE: deciduous
FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer

The Indian Bean Tree can grow over 12m in height and spread and might be too big to plant in many gardens, despite its lovely shaped leaves and thin, dangling fruit.

However, if you do have the space, this summer flowering tree is truly a delight to grow and will look brilliant as a centrepiece to larger, more stylised garden displays.

20) Plantain Lily ‘Heartsong’

green and white variegated leaves from a hosta plant 'Heartsong' variety

BOTANICAL NAME: Hosta ‘Heartsong’
HARDINESS RATING: H7
PLANT TYPE: perennial
FOLIAGE: deciduous
FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer

A shade-loving perennial, Hosta ‘Heartsong’ produces stunning green, heart-like leaves that often have a white rim around the edge of the leaf.

This big-leaved plant will look great in your garden beds when planted underneath trees or larger shrubs that can provide the shade it needs to thrive.

In summer, this hosta also bears purple flowers which is another major benefit of this large-leaved plant.

“To grow Hostas, a plan is needed to prevent slugs & snails from making unsightly holes in the foliage,” says Roy.

“Garlic spray at regular intervals is recommended by Hosta growers, but other organic methods such as nematodes or sheep wool can deter them.”

21) Hearts-On-A-String

green and white hearts on a string plant with red stems growing outside

BOTANICAL NAME: Ceropegia woodii
HARDINESS RATING: H1C
PLANT TYPE: succulent / houseplant / perennial
FOLIAGE: evergreen
FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer

Ceropegia woodii, more commonly referred to as ‘Hearts-on-a-String’, is a hanging succulent with a hardiness rating of H1C that is grown as a houseplant here in the UK.

Hearts-on-a-String has trailing stems that can grow as long as 1m; which bear tiny rounded leaves that are purple, silver and green in colour.

A great choice for a hanging basket or for placing on a high shelf where it can cascade downwards – grow this evergreen perennial in a sheltered spot in your home, out of direct sunlight.

22) Hedge Bindweed

hedge bindweed with trumpet-shaped flowers

BOTANICAL NAME: Calystegia sepium
HARDINESS RATING: H4
PLANT TYPE: climber / shrub
FOLIAGE: deciduous
FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn

Perhaps one plant with heart-shaped leaves that you don’t want to see is bindweed.

This shrub produces white, trumpet-shaped flowers that can spread prolifically and suffocate other plants with its twisting vines.³

I would not recommend planting this weed in your garden, as the deep, brittle roots are extremely difficult to remove, but if you really want to grow this plant, you can pot it into its own individual container or even place it in a hanging basket display near your home.

23) Common Morning Glory

common morning glory plant with purple flowers growing against a wire trellis next to some conifers

BOTANICAL NAME: Ipomoea purpurea
HARDINESS RATING: H1C
PLANT TYPE: annual / perennial
FOLIAGE: deciduous
FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn

The heart-shaped leaves come second to the trumpet-shaped blooms of Ipomoea purpurea that last from the start of summer well into the autumn months.

Another Morning Glory variety, this frost-tender plant is often grown as an annual in the UK and would look delightful if grown against a wall or trellis in a traditional cottage garden.

24) Purple Bell Vine

purple flowering Rhodochiton atrosanguineus plant growing tall with leaves that are heart shaped

BOTANICAL NAME: Rhodochiton atrosanguineus
HARDINESS RATING: H2
PLANT TYPE: climber / shrub / houseplant
FOLIAGE: deciduous
FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn

Rhodochiton atrosanguineus, also known as the ‘Purple Bell Vine’, is also a frost-tender climber that flaunts heart-shaped foliage from spring until autumn.

Reaching up to 2.5m in height, the purple bell vine thrives in full sun and is easy to care for once established.

This tender shrub can either be grown outside as an annual or grown as a houseplant where it will produce purple tubular blooms year after year.

25) Flamingo Flower

a flamingo flower houseplant with glossy green leaves and red and yellow flowers in front of a wooden grey wall

BOTANICAL NAME: Anthurium andraeanum
HARDINESS RATING: H1A
PLANT TYPE: houseplant / perennial
FOLIAGE: evergreen
FLOWERING SEASON(S): year-round

One of my favourite houseplants, the flamingo flower not only produces large glossy green leaves in the shape of hearts all year round, but its red or yellow flowers also last through all the seasons.

Anthurium andraeanum is easy to care for and will brighten any room in your home, so you can grow this evergreen perennial to spread the love from spring to winter!

References

1
Our Top 5 Most Romantic Houseplants to Give as Gifts. (2020, January 30). Wally Grow. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://wallygrow.com/blogs/feature/romantic-plants
2
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998j, July 20). Taro | Description, Plant, Root, Edible, Poisonous, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/plant/taro-plant
3
Hedge bindweed. (n.d.). The Wildlife Trusts. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/hedge-bindweed