If you’re trying to find an easy-to-care-for, unique, and attractive houseplant, then you can’t fail with the string of heart plant (Ceropegia woodii).

This evergreen, succulent, trailing vine is ideal for planting in hanging baskets or in pots on shelves or window sills. it’s a long-lived and fast-growing plant, and therefore the sprawling vines can hang down several feet once they’re mature.

The heart-shaped, fleshy, gray-green foliage has an attention grabbing marbled pattern and therefore the thin, string-like vines have a particular purple shade.

If you’re a lover of massive , showy flowers, the string of hearts vine won’t be for you. The blooms on this plant are still interesting, though. Tubular and around an inch-long, they need a bulbous base and form into enclosed beads which informs one among its common names – the rosary vine.

The flowers usually have a pale magenta coloring and, although they have a tendency to bloom most profusely within the late summer and fall, they will also appear at other times throughout the year.

Although most ordinarily grown as a houseplant, the string of hearts plant is usually grown as a sprawling ground cover, in rock gardens, or for cascading down walls in warm Mediterranean climates.

Plant Care

With the proper warm conditions, moisture levels, and filtered light, the string of hearts plant is fast-growing and can flower abundantly. it’s known for being robust and maybe a good plant for inexperienced houseplant growers because it can deal with periods of neglect relatively well.

Light

Positioning your string of hearts plant somewhere that it’ll receive bright, but dappled, filtered sunlight will see the simplest leads to terms of growth and flower production.

Soil

A string of heart plants thrives in well-drained cacti potting mixes. Although they appreciate decent fertility, if the combination is overly rich, the plants can become straggly-looking.

If you’re using a standard potting mix, it’ll need additions of things like pumice or perlite to make sure it’s sufficient drainage.

Water

Although the string of hearts is drought-tolerant, it does like more frequent watering than many other succulent species. Let the soil dry in between waterings then provide a deep watering. an excessive amount of water may result in swollen foliage, leaf drop, and therefore the growth habit can become messy.

It’s vital that your string of hearts plant isn’t left in standing water. this is often a fast thanks to kill them off, and excellent drainage is significant .

Temperature and Humidity

Although these plants can handle temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit for brief periods, they can’t deal with prolonged exposure to the cold, particularly if they need not retain sufficient moisture.

Equally though, string of hearts plants aren’t fans of intense heat. Warm temperatures and good air circulation produce best results. These plants don’t appreciate high humidity in their winter dormancy phase.

Fertilizer

Your string of hearts plant will appreciate regular feeding with a fertilizer specifically designed for succulents. this may be one that isn’t high in nitrogen as an excessive amount of this will end in the plants becoming overly soft.

Propagating String of Heart Plants

A string of heart plants is generally propagated by stem cuttings instead of through seed germination. Sourcing seeds is difficult.

Using the stem cutting method is straightforward and usually sees good success. Cuttings with a minimum of two internodes on them usually settle in anywhere from a fortnight to 2 months. The tubers that form along the stem and even single leaves also can be used for propagation.

Just make certain that the potting medium is kept moist and is positioned somewhere that’s warm and has bright but filtered light. Cuttings also can initially be sat in water. Once the roots have formed, they will then be transplanted into the potting medium.

Potting and Repotting String of Heart Plants

In the right conditions, these plants are prolific and, consequently, they enjoy being repotted every few years. Care must be taken, however, because the delicate vines can easily break. confirm that the new pot has generous drainage holes.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: WATER EVEN LESS within the WINTER BECAUSE THE ROSARY VINE GOES DORMANT.

HARDINESS:

Mine lived outdoors in Santa Barbara where the winter temps could read the high 30’s F, low 40’s. I read somewhere that it’s hardy to 25F so I plan on leaving outside here in Tucson & see what happens.

SOIL:

A succulent & cactus mix is simply fine. If you’ve got some coco coir, your String Of Heats would like it added to the combination. Or, a combo of half cymbidium orchid & half succulent mixes would work fine too. Just confirm the combination drains rather well.

TRANSPLANTING:

It’s best to transplant your Rosary Vine in spring or summer.

FERTILIZER:

Like most of my plants, I top dress with worm castings within the spring. If you are feeling yours needs some feeding, then an application of balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer in spring would work too.

FLOWERS:

Yes, it does! Mine started flowering at the top of summer & the blooms just keep it upcoming.

close up of the weird flowers of a String Of Hearts or Rosary Vine
Here are those sweet but funny little flowers.

PRUNING:

Not much of any is required. I’ve only cut a couple of dead stems out. If yours gets leggy otherwise you want to propagate it by cuttings, then you’ll get to prune.

PROPAGATION:

The easiest ways are by stems cuttings & by laying the tubers right on top of a mixture. The root very quickly.

PESTS:

Mine has never had any but reportedly mealybugs can appear. Keep your eye out for aphids & scale also.

There are 2 reasons why people have trouble with the Rosary Vine: not enough light &/or an excessive amount of water, especially within the winter months.

THE STRING OF HEARTS OR ROSARY VINE may be a GREAT TRAILING HOUSEPLANT.
In warmer climates, you’ll grow it outdoors year-round. There’s also a variegated sort of it which features a touch of pink. I’m getting to plant mine during a large hanging basket with a String Of Pearls and String of Bananas. Stayed tuned for that post and video!