The String of heart plant or Ceropegia woodii is a succulent plant from South Africa. It is known as a trailing plant and comes from the Apocynaceae family. The string of heart succulent features grayish green, heart-shaped foliage. Its vines are made up of these tiny heart-shaped foliage tied like a string.
They also produce beautiful strings of heart flowers. The flowers from the trailing heart plant range from white to pale purple. It is best to grow the heart of string plant in hanging baskets. There, their eye-catching vines can fall as they mature. You can also grow them in pots.
You can use the hanging hearts plant as ground cover. Its low-growing nature makes it perfect for rock gardens. And it is non-toxic, so it is a safe plant to grow around kids and even pets.
| Botanical Name | Ceropegia woodii |
| Common Names | String of heart plants, Chinese lantern, chain of hearts |
| Origin | South Africa |
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Plant Type | Trailing, vining succulent plant |
| Full Size | Can grow from 2cm to 5cm tall |
| Sun Exposure | Bright but filtered or partial sun |
| Soil Type | A rich, well-draining soil that is a bit acidic |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic, safe around kids and pets |
How To Take Care Of String Of Hearts
Caring for a string of heart plant can be very easy. It is low-maintenance and has pretty simple light, soil, and water needs. The heart-hanging plant is also sturdy. It can survive some level of neglect.
String of Hearts Light Requirements
You want to consider growing string of hearts succulent in partial sun. It does well under bright but filtered sunlight and can even take in some direct sun. The idea is to limit the amount of direct sunlight it receives.
Excess sunlight might burn the hanging heart plant exotic foliage. It can also affect the grayish-green color of the plant. Too little sunlight can lead to a poor string of hearts flowers. It can also affect its growth rate.
Place the plant next to a window with bright but filtered sunlight. A north-facing window can be great for the chain of hearts plant. Consider moving the plant closer to the window for more sunlight.
You can also grow next to an east or south-facing window. But in these cases, you would need to provide a light filter. This can be done with a light curtain or cloth.
String of Hearts Water Requirements
Water is essential to the string of heart’s succulent care. It takes in more water than some other similar succulents. But they can also survive long spells without water as they are drought tolerant.
Avoid over-watering the trailing succulent species. It can lead to messy plant growth and even cause leaf drops… Watering should be done after confirming the moisture of the plant soil. If it feels very wet or soggy don’t moist. Instead, water when the top part of the soil feels a little dry.
Make use of a moisture meter for this. You can also try sticking your finger into the soil and checking the moisture level. If it feels dry, then do a thorough watering of the plant soil.
String of Hearts Soil Requirements
You need a well-draining soil mix for the string of heart plants. It should be rich and should be able to retain some moisture. Consider making use of a regular cactus mix. You can add some perlite to make it more draining.
The soil type should range in pH value. It should move from acidic to neutral. So a range between 6.0 and 7.0 should be perfect.
String of Hearts Temperature and Humidity Requirements
Provide a warm and habitable area for the string of heart plant. It does well in warm climates. A temperature range should be between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Levels below 20 degrees Fahrenheit can be dangerous for the plant.
Humidity levels should be moderate. They can survive regular room conditions. So avoid misting. They also go dormant in winter, so high humidity then might be bad.
String of Hearts Fertilizer Requirements
Use a cactus-suitable fertilizer for the plant. It should be a low-nitrogen fertilizer and it should be used in its growing season. This should be done once a month during that stage. Excess fertilizer use can be bad.
String of Hearts Propagation Requirements
Stem cuttings can be used to propagate string of hearts. It should be done using sterilized tools to protect the plant. You can also use string of hearts seeds. But they are difficult to find.
Common String of Hearts Problems With Health
- Brown or black spots
- Swoollen foliage
- Scales
- Mealybugs
- Aphids
Frequently Asked Questions
Repot string of hearts plant when you see visible signs it is overgrowing its pot.
No, they have a rather fast growth rate than most succulents.
No, these are two separate succulent varieties. They do have a somewhat similar appearance.
Their fast growth rate can see them develop new growth in 2 weeks.
Yes, you can propagate the string plant in water. But it is worth noting that the roots of the plant aren’t suited for excess water.
