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Ceropegia woodii

String of Hearts: Classic & Whimsical Home Decor

Although some say it's a bit more work than others, this attractive houseplant adds texture and color to any space in your home. With trailing vines and beautiful leaves shaped like hearts, this succulent makes a great piece of decor.

Published on 11 August, 2023 by Oliver Rouane-Williams
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Other names for this plant...

Rosary vine Chain of hearts Collar of hearts Sweetheart vine

About String of Hearts

This plant is named for its heart-shaped leaves resembling a chain of hearts growing from the pot. The string of hearts is a lovely indoor plant, boasting variegated colors and whimsical-looking vines.

String of hearts plants look best in a hanging basket or when placed on a high shelf so their vines can trail over the side. While they are a bit finicky when it comes to sunlight, watering, and fertilizer, once you get to know your new plant, they are easy to care for and child- and pet-friendly.

Botanical Name

The string of hearts is known in the scientific world as Ceropegia (also known as Ceropegia woodii). This hanging plant is part of the Apocynaceae family.

Plant Type

String of hearts plants are considered succulents, which are tracheophytes. Tracheophytes are vascular plants, meaning they can conduct water and food throughout the plant’s root, stem, and leaf systems.

These plants are also considered caudiciform plants, meaning they have a short, swollen basil-form stem used for water storage. Their underground roots may develop tubers, which also aid in water storage for these plants.

Origin

These plants are native to South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Appearance

String of hearts plants are trailing vines with grey-green heart-shaped leaves that are typically variegated with white. Some even have a pinkish hue to their underside and around the edges. 

Under the right conditions, the plants will flower, yielding pink, tubular flowers. The long vines and marbled patterns make this a very attractive addition to your home.

Leaves are perfectly heart-shaped, giving this houseplant its namesake.

Types Of String of Hearts Plants

There are several varieties of string of hearts. Some of the most popular include:

  • Variegated string of hearts

  • Silver glory

  • String of spades (Durban)

  • Orange River

  • Mini star

  • Cerepogia linearis (string of needles)

String of Hearts Styling 

Because of their long, hanging vines, this plant looks impressive in hanging baskets. They also make great additions to bookshelves, end tables, or kitchen and bathroom shelves.

Placing the plants somewhere their long stems can hang freely and will not be susceptible to damage (whether from a pet or accidental touching) is best.

As a trailing plant, string of hearts is best styled in a hanging basket as it gets bigger.

Light

These plants like bright indirect light, but avoid direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. Placing them near a bright window but out of direct sun ensures they get enough light.

To keep your plant full and bushy, it’s important for the crown of the plant to also receive light. Plants placed above a window may become leggy.

Water

Though this caudiciform plant can retain water and is drought-tolerant, it likes more frequent watering than other succulents. You can water your string of hearts once or twice a week but want to avoid over-watering, as this can lead to root rot, swollen foliage, and leaf loss.

Let the soil dry out between waterings and ensure the pot has drainage holes. Don't let your plant stand in water, as this will likely kill them.

Temperature

The string of hearts prefers temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Though they can tolerate more extreme temperatures, they can only do so briefly. Warm but not hot temperatures are best for maintaining your plant's health.

Humidity

These plants do not appreciate high humidity. They prefer average humidity and good air circulation, so bathrooms and kitchens aren’t the best place for them.

Soil

Well-draining soil is crucial to your plant's health. You can use any well-draining potting mix, such as cacti potting mix. If you are using generic potting soil, add perlite or pumice to ensure it drains well.

Pruning

Regular pruning to keep your plant a manageable length can help keep it healthy and full. Remove any dead or diseased stems and leaves from the plant.

Feed

This succulent plant appreciates regular feedings using any fertilizer designed for succulents. Avoid over-fertilizing and fertilizers that are high in nitrogen, as they can result in the plant becoming too soft.

Height & Growth

The string of hearts' vines can reach up to 12 feet long when fully mature. Vines can be trimmed to keep the plant the desired size.

Toxicity

The string of hearts is non-toxic to humans.

Pet

This plant is pet-friendly.

Common Problems 

  • Overwatering: Over-watering or allowing your plant to stand in water can lead to root rot, killing your plant.

  • Not enough water: If your leaves look wilted and deflated, your plant probably needs to be watered.

  • Too much direct sunlight: Direct sunlight can burn your plant's leaves, turning them brown.

  • Not enough light: If there are large spaces between your plant's leaves, they might need more sunlight. Try moving it closer to a window.

  • Outgrowing its pot: These fast-growing plants can easily outgrow their pot. If this happens, repotting is in order. Ensure the new pot is at least two inches bigger than the current one before transferring the plant.

  • Pests - Like all houseplants, string of hearts is susceptible to pests like aphids and mealybugs. Quarantine affected plants and treat them with a houseplant insecticide.

Leggy plants can be pruned to encourage bushier growth.

How To Propagate String of Hearts

Propagation is generally easy when using ‘butterfly’ stem cuttings. Cut a healthy vine from the plant, then cut the stem into pieces in between each set of leaves, leaving about half an inch on either side of each node.

Dip the end of the butterfly cutting into rooting hormone powder and place it on top of a pot of soil, allowing it to rest on the surface. This process may take a month or so for new growth to occur. Keep the soil moist, but not wet, throughout the process.

You can also propagate string of hearts by removing the aerial tubers, also called ‘beads,’ that grow along a vine. Simply plant the tuber still attached to the vine in a new pot with a well-draining potting soil mix, and care for it like you would a regular string of hearts until new growth appears.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make my string of hearts fuller?

If you want your string of hearts to look fuller, it is essential they get the correct amount of sunlight. They like bright indirect light, so keeping them close to a window that receives sunlight throughout the day is a good idea.

You can also use the coiling method to coil long, leggy wines into the crown of the plant. Ensure they come into contact with the soil, pinning them down with a bent paperclip if necessary. The vines will quickly sprout aerial roots and attach to the soil to increase the fullness of the crown.

What should I do if my string of hearts is wilting?

If your plant begins to wilt, it is usually from lack of water. Try watering your plant and see if it perks up. It may also be receiving too much direct light. Try moving it to a spot that does not get direct sunlight and see if that helps.

Where does string of hearts grow best?

These plants grow best in bright indirect sunlight. They also grow best in hanging baskets or on higher shelves where their trailing vines can hang down. Try hanging one near a window that receives a decent amount of sunlight throughout the day.

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