String of Hearts
Ceropegia woodii
Romantic trailing plant with delicate silver-marbled heart-shaped leaves on thread-like purple stems that can reach 2m or more. Produces curious tubular lantern-shaped flowers in summer. Semi-succulent and surprisingly easy.
Best rooms for string of hearts
Light requirements
Best near a window with filtered light — avoid harsh direct rays.
How to care for string of hearts
Bright indirect light keeps the leaf markings vivid. Water sparingly — the tuberous roots store moisture. Let the compost dry between waterings. Tolerates dry air well. Feed monthly spring-summer. Display high up to show off the cascading strings. Minimum 10°C.
Watering
Let the compost dry out completely between waterings. Roughly every 2–4 weeks.
Propagation
- Stem cuttings in water or compost
- Tuber division
- Aerial tubers (small bulbils on stems)
Toxicity
This plant is not known to be toxic to cats or dogs.
Common problems
- Tuber rot from overwatering
- Sparse leaves in low light
- Tangled strings (carefully untangle by hand)
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