The string of hearts plant, also known as Ceropegia woodii, is a trailing indoor plant with heart-shaped patterned leaves, pinkish undersides, and attractive mottling. It might produce tubular, pink flowers in the summer. It’s better to grow a string of hearts in bright indirect light, avoiding direct sunshine, and water it regularly in spring and summer. The string of hearts plant is more tolerant of dry soil than wet soil and is prone to rot in wet soil.
Table of Contents
Complete Growing Guide
Light
The String of Hearts plant enjoys bright light but does not tolerate direct sunlight, like all other succulents. While a lack of exposure will result in discoloration or overwatering, too little exposure will cause the leaves to scorch. In order to ensure that the plant receives at least 3 to 4 hours per day of bright, indirect sunlight as well as some afternoon shade, if you intend to grow the plant outdoors, make sure to place it in such a location. Remember to gradually acclimate this plant to stronger light before moving it outside during the summer to prevent sunburn.
Water
The string of hearts is a semi-succulent plant, which means that wet soil can cause it to rot and that it is more tolerant of dry soil. In the event that you’re unsure, water it sparingly. More water can always be added.
With confidence, you can wait for the soil to completely dry out in between waterings. In the Autumn and Winter, this plant goes dormant and requires less watering. In the spring and summer, the soil should be only slightly moist.
Humidity
The string of Hearts is a succulent that can be kept in drier environments that most plants might not tolerate as well, but it’s best to place them where they can benefit from about 40% to 50% humidity.
Fertilizer
Only infrequent fertilizers and fertilizers with a low concentration are required for String of Hearts. During their active growth period, which is from May to August, they can only be fed once per month. In the winter, when they are dormant, they don’t require any fertilizer.
Repotting
A string of hearts should only be repotted when it begins to fill its current pot and is moved to a marginally bigger container. Use a compost mixture that drains freely, such as a cactus and succulent compost that is peat-free or a peat-free house plant compost that has been combined with perlite. Re-pot it in the summer and late spring when it is growing actively.
Flower
Although this plant’s trailing leaves and exquisite pattern are its most eye-catching feature, it also bears tiny purple flowers in the spring and summer.
Size
traces of at least 90 cm.
How To Propagate String Of Hearts Plant
Plants called “string of hearts” are simple to multiply. Follow these steps to propagate your string of hearts from cuttings:
1. Trim the plant under the nodule. You will observe aerial tubers that resemble beads growing on the vine after the plant blooms. Usually, these nodules will take root if they come into contact with soil. Trim off a vine’s tuber for propagation.
2. Place the tuber in the soil. In a fresh pot, lay the cutting on top of the soil. Let it linger on the soil’s surface.
3. Keep the soil moist. Keep the plant’s soil moist during this period of growth because the rooting process takes about a month.
Should You Grow String Of Hearts Outdoors Or Indoors
1. Growing String Of Hearts Outdoors
If you reside in USDA zones 10 and higher or in an area where the temperature is consistently kept at 60 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer, you can grow the String of Hearts outdoors as a sprawling ground cover, in rock gardens, or for cascading down walls during the summer or even all year round. Otherwise, it’s better to grow this succulent in a pot or container where you can easily carry it indoors as soon as the temperature starts to drop for protection
2. Growing String Of Hearts Indoor
Additionally, like any other succulents, too much sunlight can cause the leaves of String of Hearts to scorch (browning or crispy leaves, dry leaf edges, stunted growth), and lack of exposure, on the other hand, will cause issues like discoloration or overwatering. Therefore, if you intend to grow yours outdoors, be sure to place it in an area where it will receive at least 3 to 4 hours per day of bright, indirect sunlight, as well as some afternoon shade. Also, remember to gradually acclimate it first to stronger light when moving this plant from indoors to outdoors during the summer to prevent sunburn
How To Determine Whether Your String Of Hearts Is Overwatered Or Underwatered
When your String of Hearts is overwatered, the leaves will probably start to shed or turn yellow, brown, or black while also feeling mushy and soft.
Immediately stop watering once you notice these indications and let the soil completely dry out. Additionally, since overwatering can also indicate that the soil has degraded, it is preferable to replace it with brand-new soil that is well-drained and porous enough to prevent root rot.
On the other hand, a String of Hearts that have been underwatered will exhibit symptoms such as leaves curling up and may start to look thinner because there is no water left in its storage. Now when this happens, immediately give the plant a good drench of water (again, letting the soil dry in between waterings), and move it to a shaded spot. This should allow your String of Hearts to recover after two or three more watering cycles.
To get detailed information about this, check out our underwatered vs overwatered succulents.
How To Make String Of Hearts Fuller
Pruning is one method to give the appearance of a fuller, bushier String of Hearts. However, this procedure isn’t really required unless the succulent’s stems have grown lanky and the leaves have begun to lose their vibrant color.
It’s easy to prune String of Hearts. Simply cut one or more vines from the mother plant with a clean, sharp knife or a pair of scissors. Make sure to cut it right under one of the nodes along with the stem (take whatever length you desire), allowing it to grow roots in water first before putting the cuttings back in the soil for an instant fuller String of Hearts.