String of Hearts
Ceropegia woodii · also called rosary vine, chain of hearts, sweetheart vine
String of hearts is a delicate trailing succulent vine with heart-shaped leaves. Give it bright indirect light and water when the soil dries.
String of hearts is a semi-succulent trailing vine from southern Africa, named for its pairs of small, heart-shaped leaves marbled in silver and green along thin purple stems. As a member of the milkweed family, it grows from a tuberous base and stores water in both its leaves and the small aerial tubers, often called beads, that form along the stems. In bright light the leaves take on deeper marbling and a pinkish underside.
Grown indoors as a fast-cascading hanging plant, its strands can trail several feet given time and light. It is more forgiving than string of pearls but still rewards a light hand with water, as its succulent nature makes it prone to rot in soggy soil. Easy to propagate from its aerial tubers, it is a favorite for sharing and for filling hanging baskets quickly.
How to care for String of Hearts
Light
Bright indirect light keeps the leaves close-set and the marbling vivid. A spot near an east or west window, or bright filtered south light, is ideal. Too little light causes pale, widely spaced leaves and leggy strands; some gentle direct sun deepens the colors.
Watering
Water when the top inch or two of soil is dry, roughly every 1 to 2 weeks in growth. The succulent leaves tolerate drying out, so lean toward underwatering. Reduce frequency in winter and avoid letting the pot sit in water.
Humidity
Average household humidity suits it well, and it prefers drier air over damp conditions. High humidity with wet soil encourages rot. No misting is necessary.
Temperature
Keep it between 65 and 80F. It can handle a cooler winter rest down to about 60F, which supports blooming. Protect it from frost and temperatures below 50F.
Soil & potting mix
Use a fast-draining succulent or cactus mix amended with extra perlite. Quick drainage prevents the tuberous roots from rotting. A pot with drainage holes is essential.
Feeding
Feed monthly during spring and summer with a diluted, low-nitrogen succulent fertilizer. It is a light feeder, so avoid excess. Stop feeding in fall and winter.
Pruning & grooming
Trim leggy or bare strands to promote fuller growth, and lay cuttings back on the soil to thicken the pot. Remove dead or shriveled vines as needed. Pruning encourages branching near the base.
Repotting
Repot every 2 to 3 years when the tuber and roots fill the pot, sizing up modestly. Handle the fragile vines carefully. Spring is the best time to repot.
Propagation
Propagate from the aerial tubers by pressing them onto moist soil, or root stem cuttings in water or soil. Tubers establish quickly and reliably. Bright indirect light speeds rooting.
Common String of Hearts problems
- Leggy, pale strands. Widely spaced leaves and faded color signal too little light. Move the plant to a brighter indirect spot and trim long bare strands to encourage compact new growth.
- Mushy or rotting vines. Soft, blackened strands indicate overwatering and rot at the tuber. Cut away affected parts, let the soil dry out, and water less frequently in a grittier mix.
- Shriveled leaves. Thin, wrinkled hearts mean the plant is too dry. Give it a thorough watering; the leaves should plump up within a day or two.
String of Hearts FAQ
Is string of hearts safe for cats and dogs?
Yes, it is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it a safer trailing plant for pet households than string of pearls. As with any plant, eating large amounts may cause mild stomach upset, so it is still best kept out of reach.
What are the little balls on the vines?
Those are aerial tubers, sometimes called beads or bulbils, that form at the leaf nodes along the stems. They store water and are the plant's natural way of propagating. You can press one onto moist soil and it will root into a brand new plant.
Why is my string of hearts so leggy?
Leggy growth with widely spaced leaves is a sign of insufficient light. Move it to a brighter indirect location, ideally near a window with some gentle direct sun. You can trim back the long bare strands and replant the cuttings to fill the pot back in.