String of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) is a succulent with fragile purple trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves. Heart vines may stretch to 13 feet (4 meters) in length. On a string, the leaves resemble hearts. Chain of hearts, rosary vine, and sweetheart vine are some of the other names for Ceropegia woodii.
Despite their modest size, the dark-green heart-shaped leaves create stunning silvery marbled designs. With silvery green leaves and cream and pink variegation, certain heart cultivars have variegated leaves. When their flowing stems hang straight down, heartplants are a cool houseplant.
String of Hearts Plant (Ceropegia Woodii) Care Overview
Sweetheart vines are low-maintenance houseplants that thrive in most environments. When the soil dries, water a string of hearts planted in bright indirect sunlight on well-draining succulent potting mix. Misting isn’t required for String of Hearts. Temperatures between 70°F and 85°F (21°C and 29°C) are ideal for rosary vine survival.
Chain of Hearts (Ceropegia Woodii) Information
String of Hearts is a blooming plant in the Ceropegia genus, and it belongs to the Ceropegia woodii species. Native to South Africa and thrives outdoors in USDA zones 10 and 11, fast-growing vine plants are a native species. String of hearts is a popular houseplant that grows in hanging baskets.
Caudiciform plants with a tuberous root system, such as Ceropegia woodii, are caudiciform. Because of their water-absorbing properties, tubers make rosary vines more drought-tolerant. The tuber root may grow to be so huge over time that it fills the vessel.
The purple stems are adorned with small tubers that resemble beads, hence the name rosary vine. Because these tiny tubercles contact the earth, the delicate evergreen chain of hearts becomes very easy to spread, with just a little touch of soil. You’ll soon have a weak, pendulous wispy vine plant with heart-shaped leaves that dangle.
A variety of common names exist for the String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii). Bushman’s pipe, necklace vine, wine-glass vine, lantern flower, and parachute flower are some of the other names for rosary vine. The plant is also known as hearts entangled because the thin, delicate leaves get easily tangled.
Variegated String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii f. variegata)
Variegated cascading trailing vines make a beautiful houseplant. It’s a variegated string of hearts. The pink and cream coloring on dark green leaves is an remarkable feature of the variegated string of hearts. The variegated Ceropegia species is a popular topic because of its colorful leaves and tiny flowers dangling on purple stems.
String of Hearts Flowers
String of hearts is a flowering succulent with tubular flowers called corollas that produce a close-up image. String of Hearts has tiny magenta-colored cylinders with a bulbous base that make up the flowers. The petals’ tips unite to create a tent or canopy, and deep purple fuzzy tops join them. 1″ (2.5 cm) long heart string flowers Ceropegia is a genus name that refers to the form of a string of hearts’ blossom, which literally means “wax fountain.”
How to Care for String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
Indirect sunlight, occasional watering, and average room temperatures are required for String of Hearts plants to thrive. A string of hearts plant needs special care.
String of Hearts Plant Light Requirements
The string of hearts grows best in bright light, away from direct sunlight. These fragile succulent plants need at least six hours of sunlight. However, excessive sunlight may cause the foliage to wither. To avoid sunburn, keep them at least a few feet away from a south-facing window.
You’ll notice that the delicate leaves of a string of hearts are dark green with distinctive silver or light green markings when they get enough bright light. Plants in the chain of hearts family can thrive in low light, but it is not recommended. The leaves will lose their silvery marbling effect if the trailing houseplant isn’t given enough light. In low light, the pink and cream heart markings on the variegated string of hearts leaves may fade.
How to Water String of Hearts Plants
Avoid overwatering a chain of hearts plant and watering it when the soil has dried out. The drought-tolerant plant may need to be watered every week in the summer. Watering should be reduced to monthly or less in the winter. Test the soil for dryness before watering a chain of hearts.
When watering a rosary vine, there should be no moisture in the soil. Water is stored in the tuberous roots of the plant, which takes a long time to dehydrate. In reality, overwatering is more likely to kill a string of hearts plant than underwatering. Give the soil a thorough soak to water a sweetheart vine the best way. The thick fleshy roots get enough moisture when the roots are deeply watered. The plant will be healthy and grow fast as long as you allow the soil to dry between waterings.
You should pour enough water in the pot to drain out the bottom when watering a string of hearts. Let all the water that has been trapped escape. Next, return the plant pot to a bright area on a drip saucer. Watering frequently and a little is one of the most common houseplant watering mistakes.
The succulent roots lose vital moisture when they are watered in dribs and drabs. Also, you may encourage fungus gnats or white mold to grow on the soil’s surface by creating a wet environment in the soil.
It’s important to keep in mind that the following circumstances dictate how often you should water a heartstring:
- Climate— The soil dries out faster in hot, dry conditions. In hot weather, you’ll have to water a string of hearts more often, maybe even more than once per week.
- Pot— Plants growing in soil in terracotta plant pots lose moisture quicker than those growing in plastic or glazed ceramic pots.
- Season— The string of hearts grows slower in the winter, as it does with all houseplants. In the winter, you need to water less than you do in the summer.
The Best Soil for Growing String of Hearts Succulents
A well-draining, light, aerated potting mix is optimum for String of Hearts. Mix one part compost, perlite, and coarse horticultural sand together to make a mixture. To create the ideal growing medium for the heart string, combine thoroughly. For growing rosary vines, a soil mix suitable for cactus or succulents is required.
Houseplant vines like the chain of hearts thrive in the most fertile kind of soil, which retains some moisture. Succulent roots are kept hydrated by organic matter such as peat moss. Water must drain quickly, otherwise the soil might become too wet. Perlite, coarse sand, pumice, crushed granite, and poultry grit are examples of soil modifications that aid drainage.
Make sure that the soil drains well whatever type you use. To prevent the string of hearts from ‘standing’ in wet, soggy soil, the potting mix should dry out quickly between watering.
Temperature Requirements for String of Hearts Plant Care Indoor
The ideal temperature for rosary vines is between 70° and 85°F (21° and 29°C). Between 70° and 85°F (21° – 29°C) is the optimum temperature range for rosary vine houseplant growth. The plants grow outdoors at this temperature, which is similar to their natural tropical environment. These plants prefer a temperature of 55°F (12°C).
Temperatures should be kept at a safe level for the vulnerable string of hearts. In the winter, when the heating is on, they should grow away from radiators or furnaces. Also, in the summer, when the air-conditioning is on or there are open windows or doors, keep them out of cold drafts.
String of Hearts plants may be grown outdoors in the summer if you live in temperate climates. On a patio, deck, or balcony, place the potted houseplant in partial shade. Give the darling vine some sunlight every day, but keep it out of the heat.
Temperatures as low as 40°F (4°C) have been reported by the String of Hearts. When average outdoor temperatures are around 60°F (15°C), however, it’s best to bring the potted vining plants indoors.
Chain of Heart Plant Humidity Needs
Heartstring plants don’t need much humidity to thrive. These plants, like many succulents, prefer dry conditions. As a result, a string of hearts thrives in the dry indoor air of ordinary homes. You can cut the frequency of watering your houseplant vine if it is particularly humid.
How to Fertilize String of Hearts
The rosary vine may grow faster if you fertilize it on a regular basis throughout the growing season. Dilute a regular houseplant fertilizer to half strength. During the spring and early summer, apply fertilizer only once a month. When plant growth becomes dormant in the fall and winter, hold off on fertilizing your houseplant.
If at all possible, use an high-quality organic fertilizer. Liquid seaweed and kelp, worm castings, and tea drops are examples of natural plant “food.” A mineral salt buildup in the potting mixture can harm the plant’s roots, so using the best natural, organic fertilizers is important.
Pruning Rosary Vines (String of Hearts)
Only the thin pendulous stems need to be trimmed shorter in order to keep the string of hearts trim. Snip the vine’s stem to the desired length with a sharp clean pair of scissors. Propagating new plants or removing leggy stems are additional reasons for pruning rosary vines.
In ideal circumstances, the vines on a String of Hearts can grow to 13 feet (4 meters). Yet, indoors, the slender dangling vines are typically limited to around five feet (1.5 m) in length. As a result, pruning will be required once the “heart strings” get longer.
How to Propagate String of Hearts
When you put a cutting of Ceropegia woodii air tuber on top of the earth, it may take root and be utilized to spread the plant. Wait until the cut ends rooting in a jar of water. The tiny bead-like tubers of chain of hearts will quickly take root if you put the plant cuttings on top of the soil.
Placing the growing stems on a shallow tray of succulent soil is another way to propagate a new string of hearts plants. Untangle and lay the vines on the soil tray, with the tubers touching the ground if necessary. To keep the soil moist, mist it lightly on a regular basis. Trim off the stem and plant it in a pot when roots develop and leaves on the new plant begin to emerge.
Repotting String of Hearts
Every two years, in the spring or early summer, String of Hearts needs repotting. To encourage more growth, choose a pot that is one or two sizes bigger. Plant in the same pot with a fresh potting mix for succulents if you want to keep your current plant’s size.
With the tuber removed from the pot, you may repot a string of hearts. Remember to treat the fragile stems with care, as they may easily snap off. Look for signs of illness in the roots of the rosary vine and remove them. Put it in a fresh potting soil pot that is big enough to accommodate it.
Pests Affecting String of Hearts Growth
Most houseplant pests can’t stand the taste of hearts. Mealybugs, especially the string of hearts, can be a problem for succulents. The cotton wool-like substance that mealybugs leave behind may be used to identify them. Some of these insects may be seen crawling beneath the leaves.
Get rid of mealybugs from rosary vines in a number of ways. Mix two teaspoons of organic neem oil and one teaspoon of mild liquid dish soap with a quart (1 liter) of water to make a neem oil spray. Mix well before using a spray bottle to apply the ingredients. To get rid of the annoying insects, spray your string of hearts with a neem oil solution every week.
Washing the plants in the shower is a natural way to get rid of mealybugs and other houseplant problems. The crawling insects should be dislodged by a spray of water. You’ll also wash off dust from the heart-shaped leaves’ delicate leaves at the same time.
Diseases Affecting String of Hearts Plants
The majority of fungal or bacterial problems that affect the chain of hearts plants are caused by overwatering. Fungal and bacterial infections are caused by soggy, damp, or wet soil. Succulent roots become soft, disease-ridden, and rot when they are exposed to saturated soil. Watering the plant properly is the best way to avoid disease roots.
The lovely houseplant vine will thrive for many years if you care for a string of hearts plant and never water it. With heart-shaped leaves growing at regular intervals, you’ll soon have lengthy trailing slender stems.
Are String of Hearts Toxic Houseplants?
Ceropegia woodii, or the string of hearts, is not poisonous to cats or dogs, according to the evidence. Heart vines, hearts entwined, and hearts-on-a-string are all nontoxic plants for animals and people according to the California Poison Control System.
FAQ
Heartstring easy-care is usually trouble-free when it comes to growth. The succulent plant, on the other hand, may be affected by a few factors that you should be aware of.
Why is my string of hearts dying?
The most common cause of rosary vine death is drowning. Droopy, weak growth, and wilting leaves are all signs that the trailing houseplant is stressed. The leaves may become yellow before they wilt. It’s critical to resolve any watering concerns in order to save a dying string of hearts.
As a result, don’t water until the soil is dry. You may need to repot your plant in fresh soil if it doesn’t recover. Check the roots for signs of rot and cut them as needed when repotting. When the soil is practically totally dry, watering a string of hearts succulents is crucial.
Why are my string of hearts leaves turning yellow?
Overwatering is the most prevalent reason for a yellowing heart plant string. Low temperatures are the other reason. Move your plant to a warmer area if you water it properly. At temperatures below 60°F (16°C), little leaves with yellow spots may develop on the vines.