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String of Hearts

Plant care guide

How to care for String of Hearts

Ceropegia woodii (including variegated forms)

Care level: Easy

String of hearts sends out long, thread-thin vines lined with small, marbled heart-shaped leaves, perfect for a high shelf or hanging pot. It is a semi-succulent, so it is happiest with bright light and a light hand with the watering can.

Also known as: String of Hearts, Rosary Vine, Chain of Hearts, Hearts Entangled, Sweetheart Vine, Ceropegia woodii, Variegated String of Hearts, Pink String of Hearts

Just arrived? Your first week at home

  1. Unbox carefully and untangle the vines slowly; they are thin and break easily.
  2. Hang it or place it on a high shelf in bright, indirect light, such as near an east or south window.
  3. Check the soil before watering; if it is still moist from the grower, wait until it dries out.
  4. Leave it in its nursery pot for at least two weeks.
  5. A few dropped or yellow leaves after shipping is normal; the vines will fill in again.
  6. Keep it away from cold drafts and heating vents.

Every plant is covered by our 30-day plant health guarantee. If your plant arrived damaged or isn't doing well, email a few photos to support@rootandreachbotanicals.com and we'll help you troubleshoot or make it right.

Light

String of hearts loves bright light, such as right in an east window or a few feet from a south or west window. A few hours of gentle direct sun is welcome and deepens the purple undersides and pink tones on variegated plants. In low light, the leaves get small and spaced far apart along the vine.

Water

Let the soil dry out almost completely, then water thoroughly. That is about every 2-3 weeks in summer and every 3-4 weeks in winter. Soft, deflated leaves mean it is thirsty; yellowing leaves and mushy stems at the soil line mean too much water, which is the most common way to lose this plant.

Humidity

Normal home humidity is fine. It does not need misting; in fact, damp leaves and soil can encourage rot.

Temperature

Keep it between 60 and 85 F. It tolerates slightly cooler winters but should stay above 50 F.

Soil & repotting

Use a fast-draining cactus or succulent mix, ideally with extra perlite. It has small roots and tubers, so it prefers a shallow, snug pot; repot only every 2 years in spring. Terracotta pots help the soil dry evenly.

Feeding

Feed monthly in spring and summer with a half-strength balanced or succulent fertilizer. Do not feed in fall and winter.

Troubleshooting common problems

  • Thin, sparse vineslow light; move it to a brighter spot and trim leggy strands to encourage fullness.
  • Yellow, mushy leavesoverwatering; let the soil dry fully and check for rotted roots or tubers.
  • Shriveled leavesthirst; water deeply and let it drain.
  • Bare top with long vinesnormal with age; lay vine cuttings on the soil surface to root and fill in the crown.
  • Variegation fadingtoo little light; move it closer to a window.

Tips to help it thrive

  • Look for small round tubers along the vines; pressing them onto moist soil is an easy way to grow new plants.
  • Coil long vines back on top of the pot and pin them to the soil to make a fuller plant.
  • In bright light it may produce tiny, lantern-shaped pinkish-purple flowers.

Pet safety

String of Hearts isn't specifically named in the ASPCA's plant database, and it isn't known to be toxic. As with any houseplant, keep it out of reach of pets that like to chew.

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