String of Hearts
Ceropegia woodii
String of hearts is a trailing semi-succulent with small, heart-shaped, silver-marbled leaves on long thread-like stems. It looks beautiful cascading from a high shelf or hanging pot.
Photo: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova · CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Bright indirect light
Watering
Low
Water when the soil is completely dry; the leaves and tubers store water.
Soil
Gritty succulent mix; pH 6.0–7.0.
Temperature and humidity
10–32 °C · Low humidity
Feeding
Feed monthly in spring and summer with a diluted fertilizer.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings, layering
Trim long strands to encourage fuller growth.
String of hearts is not toxic to people or pets.
Top Cultivation Tips
Lay strands on soil to root at the nodes.
Small round tubers on the stems can be planted.
More light gives more colourful leaves.
Avoid overwatering.
Common problems
Mealybugs
White, cottony insects that hide in leaf joints and under leaves, weakening plants and spreading easily to neighbours.
How to treat it →DiseaseOverwatering
Too much water, or water that cannot drain away, starves roots of air and is the most common cause of houseplant death.
How to treat it →DiseaseRoot rot
Roots decay in waterlogged soil, so the plant wilts and yellows even though the soil is wet.
How to treat it →
