STRING OF HEARTS
Botanical Name | Ceropegia woodii |
Common Name | String of hearts, Rosary vine, Chain of hearts, Chinese lantern |
Plant Type | Succulent, Vine, Evergreen |
Mature Size | 2-5 cm. tall, 2 - 4 m. wide spread |
Sun Exposure | Partial Sun |
Soil Type | Well-drained, Fertile |
Soil pH | Acidic, Neutral |
Bloom Time | Summer, Fall |
Flower Color | White to a pale purplish-red |
Hardiness Zones | 9 - 12, USA |
Native Area | Southern Africa |
Plant Care
With the right warm conditions, moisture levels, and filtered light, the string of hearts plant is fast-growing and will flower abundantly. It is known for being robust and is a good plant for inexperienced houseplant growers as it can cope with periods of neglect relatively well.
Light
Positioning your string of hearts plant somewhere that it will receive bright, but dappled, filtered sunlight will see the best results in terms of growth and flower production.
Soil
String of heart plants thrive in well-drained cacti potting mixes. Although they appreciate decent fertility, if the mix is overly rich, the plants can become straggly-looking.
If you are using an ordinary potting mix, it will need additions of things like pumice or perlite to ensure it has 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 watering's and then provide a deep watering. Too much water can result in swollen foliage, leaf drop, and the growth-habit can become messy.
It's vital that your string of hearts plant isn't left in standing water. This is a quick way to kill them off, and excellent drainage is vital.
Temperature and Humidity
Although these plants can handle temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit for short periods, they can't cope with prolonged exposure to the cold, particularly if they have not retained sufficient moisture.
Equally though, string of hearts plants are not 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 will be one that isn't high in nitrogen as too much of this can result in the plants becoming overly soft.