String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii) is a popular hanging houseplant known for its beautiful heart-shaped leaves. It’s a fast-growing plant and will thrive in sunny locations. It looks great perched on a tall bookshelf or hanging from the top of a sunny stairwell. Here are tips on how to care for your String of Hearts at home.
9 Tips on How to Take Care of Your String of Hearts
1. Your String of Hearts is Happiest in Bright Indirect Light. Can Tolerate Medium Light.
Your String of Hearts is happy in a bright indirect light location. Your String of Hearts is a sun-loving plant and it can tolerate partial direct sun. It will happily grow in a south-facing or west-facing window.
2. Low to Moderate Water is Best for Your String of Hearts
Your String of Hearts has low to moderate water requirements. Its leaves are succulent leaves which means water is stored in the leaves. Let the soil dry out halfway down the pot. The best way to tell when it is time to water your String of Hearts is to feel the soil. Stick your finger in the soil 2 inches deep. If it feels dry, it’s time to water your String of Hearts.
3. Get the Soil Right for Your String of Hearts
Your String of Hearts needs a well-draining, organic cactus potting mix.
4. Fertilize Your String of Hearts
Your String of Hearts should be fertilized once every 2 weeks from Spring to Fall. Don’t fertilize in the winter.
5. Your String of Hearts Does Not Need Frequent Repotting
Your String of Hearts does not need to be repotted frequently. It actually thrives in crowded conditions. Repot only when it looks like it is outgrowing its current pot. Best to repot in the Spring.
6. Drainage is Essential for Your String of Hearts
Good drainage is important, you don’t want your String of Hearts to sit in soggy soil. Make sure there are drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. After watering your String of Hearts and you see water draining out of the pot’s drainage holes, make sure you empty out the accumulated water in the saucer. Don’t let your String of Hearts’ pot sit in this puddle of water. It will cause root rot!
7. Get the Temperature Right for Your String of Hearts
Your String of Hearts needs to have a daytime temperature of 70F to 80 Fahrenheit (21-26C). The nighttime temperature should be at 60-70 Fahrenheit (15-21 C).
8. Your String of Hearts Can Tolerate Dry Indoor Air
Your String of Hearts is a houseplant that has moderate humidity requirements. It does not need additional misting and will do well in regular indoor air.
9. Your String of Hearts is a Fast Growing Hanging Houseplant
Your String of Hearts is a fast-growing hanging houseplant. Place it in a location where it will have room to grow its vines. Your String of Hearts can be displayed on a high shelf or at the top of a stairwell. Just make sure it gets enough sun.
Common String of Hearts Problems
String of Hearts is rarely afflicted by pests or diseases. One common problem for String of Hearts is mealy bugs.
Why are there Fluffy White Growth In Between the Leaves and Stems of Your String of Hearts?
Problem: There are fluffy white growths in between the leaves and stems of your String of Hearts.
Cause: Mealybugs are causing the fluffy white growth on your String of Hearts. It is a common houseplant disease.
Solution: To get rid of mealybugs on your String of Hearts, wash your plant with water. You can also use soapy water. Spraying rubbing alcohol on affected areas can also get rid of mealybugs. Horticultural oil and insecticidal soap are also effective in getting rid of mealybugs.
Check out our article on how to make your own homemade pesticides using baby shampoo: How to Make Horticultural Oil and How to Make Insecticidal Soap
String of Hearts Houseplant Facts
| Name | String of Hearts |
| Scientific Name | Ceropegia woodii |
| Light | Bright Indirect Light. Can Tolerate Medium Light. |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Water | Low to Moderate Water |
| Humidity | Moderate Humidity |
| Potting | Well-draining, organic, cactus potting mix |
| Fertilizer | Once every 2 weeks from Spring to Fall. Don’t fertilize in the winter. |
| Toxic to Pets and Humans |
String of Hearts: Frequently Asked Questions
What are Other Names of String of Hearts?
String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii) is also called Rosary Vine, Bushman’s Pipevine, Lantern Flower, Necklace vine, Chain of Hearts, Collar of Hearts, Hearts Entangled, Parachute flower, and Wine-glass vine.
String of Hearts: Varieties
There are very few Ceropegia woodii varieties. Ceropegia woodii f. Variegata is a beautiful variety with pink and cream variegated leaves.
How Can You Tell When It’s Time to Water Your String of Hearts?
Water your String of Hearts when the soil feels dry. The best way to tell when it’s time to water is by sticking your finger into the soil. Stick your finger in the soil 2 inches deep. If the soil feels dry, then it’s time to water your String of Hearts. If in doubt, it is best to not water your String of Hearts. Your String of Hearts will do better in dry conditions than in soggy soil.
Can You Use Cold Water When Watering Your String of Hearts?
Your String of Hearts can be watered with tap water but be mindful of the water temperature that you are using to water your String of Hearts. Don’t use straight cold water from the tap to water your String of Hearts. Your String of Hearts prefers cool water that is not hot and not cold.
When you turn on the cold water from the faucet add a little bit of warm water. You can also get to this ideal temperature by filling a watering can or pitcher with water and leaving it out overnight until the water is at room temperature.
What Fertilizer Should You Use for Your String of Hearts?
Use cactus food to fertilize your String of Hearts.
How Big Does Your String of Hearts Get?
Your String of Hearts vines can grow quite long- as long as 12 feet. It is a fast-growing houseplant so place it in a location where it has room to grow. Otherwise, you can cut the vines to control your String of Hearts’ growth.
How Do You Propagate Your String of Hearts?
Your String of Hearts Plant is easy to propagate. You can propagate your String of Hearts plant by stem cutting.
Below are steps on how to propagate your String of Hearts Plant by stem cutting:
1. Plant a Tuber from Your String of Hearts
You will see these pearl-shaped tubers growing on the vines of your String of Hearts. Simply plant one of these tubers into moist soil in another pot. Don’t cut the tuber from the mother vine.
2. After Rooting, Cut the Tuber from the Mother Vine
Allow the tuber to grow roots. Be patient, this can take weeks or months. Once the tuber has rooted, you can cut the tuber from the mother vine. Gently tug on the tuber, if there is resistance, you know it has roots.
You May Also Be Interested in Other Hanging Houseplants:
- 7 Tips on How to Care for Your Creeping Fig (Ficus Pumila Infographic)
- 7 Tips on How to Care for Your Air Plant (Tillandsia species Infographic)
- 8 Tips on How to Care for Your Boston Fern (Infographic)
- 9 Tips on How to Care for Your String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii Infographic)
- 9 Tips on How to Care for your Spider Plant
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