How to care for your String of Hearts Plant

Ceropegia Woodii, more commonly known as the String of Hearts, is a beautiful, evergreen, trailing house plant, native to South Africa and Zimbabwe. This trailing beauty was first discovered in the late 19^th century and has been stealing our hearts ever since. Read on for all you need to know to care for your String of Hearts Plant.

String of Hearts Care – A Guide to Caring for Your String of Hearts

So, how do you take care of a String of Hearts plant?

If that’s the burning question on your mind, then you’re in the right place. This week’s blog is dedicated to the stunning String of Hearts plant, we’re here to tell you all you need to know about String of Hearts care, read our handy guide, follow our tips and you’ll have yourself a happy and healthy String of Hearts.

How often should my string of hearts be watered?

Your String of Hearts watering needs are pretty low key; he will need water every 10 days or so. Allow the soil to completely dry out in between waterings and ensure your String of Hearts is never left sitting in water as this will cause root rot. This guy is more tolerant of dry soil than wet, so be sure not to overwater him. Your plant will need water less frequently in autumn and winter.

It is easy to overwater your String of hearts so be careful of these signs. Leaves will drop and the leaves will discolour from their characteristic grey-green hue with a hint of lilac to yellow/brown. If this happens, reduce your watering and trim off any damaged leaves.

Does a string of hearts like direct sunlight?

Your String of Hearts will enjoy a bright spot. In order to grow a bushy String of Hearts, they will need a high light spot in your home. A spot that gets good afternoon sun would be perfect for this little guy.  Just be careful in the height of summer as direct sunlight can scorch his lovely, heart-shaped leaves. Don’t forget to rotate your string of hearts to encourage nice even growth. 

If you are worried your string of hearts isn’t getting enough light, check the colour of the leaves and how often you see new leaves. If they appear further apart along the string then they need more light and if the leaves are losing the marble features, then move it closer to the light source. A west or south facing position is best for this little beauty.

Can string of hearts tolerate cold?

Hailing from South Africa, the String of Hearts are used to a warm climate in their native habitat, so they will thrive in our homes in temperatures between 18 – 25˚C. He likes tropical temperatures.  To keep him happy indoors in winter too, keep him away from radiators and out of droughts.

What do you feed a string of hearts? 

When your String of Hearts is in its dormant phase during the winter, no plant food will be required. He will benefit from some plant food about once a month as he moves into his growing phase in the spring and summer months.

Shop the String of Hearts at The Little Botanical

With gorgeous trailing vines, boasting heart-shaped leaves in a grey-green hue with a hint of lilac, the stunning String of Hearts will make a fabulous addition to any indoor jungle. Here at The Little Botanical, our String of Hearts come potted in our signature ceramics, in either grey and copper or pink and copper. These colours complement the unusual and distinctive tones of the plant and are sure to bring some stylish botanical vibes to your interiors. Pop these beauties on a shelf and watch those gorgeous, trailing vines cascade wonderfully down the wall creating a naturally beautiful focal point.

And don’t miss this beauty in the Queen of Hearts bundle, a limited edition trio to commemorate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, get them before they’re gone.

Fun Facts

This distinctive green beauty has inspired a number of nicknames alongside his botanical name; as well as a String of Hearts, he is also known as a Chain of Hearts, a Sweetheart Vine and a Rosary Vine.

As well as being a botanical beauty, the String of Hearts is also pet-friendly; fab news for those of us who have a furry friend or two to keep us and our plants company. You’ll be pleased to know that here at TLB, we have a whole range of pet-friendly house plants because we know that keeping your four-legged friends safe is a top priority and we want to make it oh so easy for you.

With just the right amount of warmth and light, your String of Hearts might treat you to a floral display in late summer. The unique blooms will be tubular in shape with a more bulbous base and a gorgeous purple colour.

Did you know English botanist John Medley Wood made the first recorded discovery of the Corpegia Woodii in South Africa in 1881?

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the String of Hearts plants hard to care for?

Here at TLB we categorise the String of Hearts as needing average care. This means they are not the lowest maintenance plants in our range, but their care shouldn’t be too taxing or demanding. With a bright spot and infrequent watering, you and your String of Hearts should have a long and happy life together.

Does the String of Hearts grow fast?

In the right conditions, your String of hearts will grow quickly, especially in spring and summer. Don’t be concerned if your TLB plant arrives with shorter vines than you were expecting. This means you have a young plant and the vines will be trailing beautifully before you know it.

Does the String of Hearts need sun?

Your String of Hearts will thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. To avoid scorched leaves, don’t place your String of Hearts in direct sunlight in the height of summer. It needs good light to thrive so do check in on it regularly

How do you know when your String of Hearts needs water?

To know when your String of Hearts needs watering you should first check the soil, once the soil has completely dried out between waterings you should give your plant a drink. If you notice that the leaves on your String of Hearts are looking a little wilted and deflated this could be a sign of underwatering; check the soil and give him a drink if necessary. Your String of Hearts will need water approximately every 10 days.

Why are the leaves on my String of Hearts turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on a String of Hearts is a sign of too much water. You can gently remove the yellowing leaves and allow your plant to completely dry out. After that, you should resume a less frequent watering schedule; a drink every 10 days or so should work but always check that the soil has fully dried out before giving more water.

How do I propagate my String of Hearts?

The simplest method is to soil propagate. When your String of Hearts has grown so long and you want to give it a little haircut, you can plant the bulb tubers at the base of the leaves directly into the soil. Just ensure you cover the pot to give it extra humidity and warmth to help it along. This can really help if your plant has grown a bit sparse on top and you want it to be nice and full.  Always make sure you water your plant after propagating and ensure it gets good light to help it root and grow. Good luck!

We hope you have found this guide informative and helpful to care for your String of Hearts Plant. As always, please do get in touch if you have any unanswered questions about this lovely, trailing beauty. We’re always happy to hear from you lovely plant people; drop us a line at [email protected]. Until next time plant people.