Ceropegia Woodii, aka String of Hearts
Ceropegia Wodii has many names, but the most common is String of Hearts. It’s also known as a Rosary Vine.
Both names are very accurate. The leaves of this lovely plant are distinctly heart-shaped and they drape down along a thin, wire like stem that looks like a vine.
This succulent trails beautifully and makes it a popular plant for hangers. The vines, with the hearts looking like beads hanging along it, can grow to two or three feet.
Caring for Your String of Hearts
These plants are pretty tolerant and easy to grow. Plant using a cactus potting soil mix or a regular potting mix of soil and sand.
Water your String of Hearts sparingly. Your best bet is to allow the soil to nearly dry out and then water thoroughly. These plants are native to Africa and might droop a little during the winter, but don’t worry; they’ll come back in the spring.
String of hearts can survive in lower light setting, but does best in bright, indirect sunlight. Less light will result in less contrast in the leaf variegation.
Fertilize during the spring and summer, but cut back in the fall to allow your plant to rest during its semi-dormant period during the winter.
Other tips
- Rotate your plant periodically to ensure even growth on all sides.
- Make sure your plant has excellent drainage and remove excess water from the plant saucer after watering.
- You can cut off errant stems, but pruning is not strictly necessary.
You can check out all of our Houseplants of the Week in our gallery here.