String of Hearts (Ceropegia Woodii): Plant Care and Growing Guide

There’s just something captivating about the String of Hearts plant. I still remember spotting one at a local nursery, its delicate heart-shaped leaves cascading like green-white beads on a necklace, and I instantly knew it needed a spot in my home. Officially known as Ceropegia Woodii, this charming trailing succulent comes from South Africa and rewards its caretaker with tiny purple flowers during spring and summer—something that always feels like a quiet celebration when they bloom. I keep mine in a hanging pot near a sunny window, and honestly, it adds a bit of whimsy to the room like no other plant I own.

But here’s the thing—these little vines might look fragile, but they’re tougher than you think. So what does it actually take to keep a String of Hearts happy and thriving? Whether you’re dealing with unpredictable lighting, wondering when to water, or trying not to kill it with kindness, the key is understanding its unique needs without overcomplicating things.

In this post, I’ll walk you through both the basics and the more nuanced tips for growing Ceropegia Woodii—from how much sun it really wants to why it secretly loves neglect. If you’re looking for a graceful, low-maintenance plant that brings personality to your space, you’ll want to stick around and get the most out of this guide.

Understanding the Basics of String of Hearts 

The String of Hearts, scientifically known as Ceropegia woodii, is a trailing houseplant prized for its delicate, heart-shaped leaves and cascading vines. Its foliage often features a blend of green and silver tones on top, with a soft purplish underside that adds to its visual charm. Perfect for hanging baskets or high shelves, this plant can grow long, elegant vines that stretch several feet when given the right conditions.

You might also hear this plant called by a few other names:

• Rosary Vine
  
• Chain of Hearts
  
• Sweetheart Vine
  

All of these names refer to the same plant, and they hint at its romantic, vine-like appearance.

Feature	Description
Botanical Name	Ceropegia woodii
Common Names	String of Hearts, Rosary Vine
Origin	South Africa, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe
Leaf Shape	Heart-shaped, green with silver marks
Growth Habit	Trailing vine, great for hanging pots

Native to South Africa and surrounding regions, the String of Hearts naturally grows in dry, rocky environments. That’s why it thrives in well-draining soil and can handle a bit of neglect—ideal for plant lovers who want beauty without constant upkeep.

String of Hearts (Ceropegia Woodii) Basic Care Guidelines

Placement

Correct placement of the string of hearts plant (Ceropegia Woodii) may be a challenge. Indeed, there will be differences between indoors and outdoors placement.

If the plant is indoors, it may be challenging to provide it with enough sunlight. Placing the plant next to a window is a good idea. The good thing about keeping this plant indoors is that it will be protected from harsh winters and a very cold climate outside. If it’s outdoors, make sure it doesn’t endure such cold weather. Bring it inside if necessary.

Light

The string of hearts plant (Ceropegia Woodii), requires light, like most other succulents and cacti. This plant, however, mostly thrives with access to partial shade. Place it in a location where it will get light and some direct sun but also some shade throughout the day.

The leaves’ color is a positive indication that more light is necessary; lighter colors or less marbling mean that it’s not getting enough sunlight. The gaps between the leaves are also a great indication that the plant is not getting enough light; the wider apart they are from each other means that sunlight is missing.

Temperature

The string of hearts plant (Ceropegia Woodii) enjoys a temperature of 64º F to 75º F (18º C to 24º C). In this sense, this plant is quite suitable for a lot of environments. In fact, this plant will be able to tolerate warmer temperatures, think 80º F to 85º F (26º C to 29).

You should house this plant indoors during such cold, extreme weather, as it cannot withstand the winter, eather. Any temperature of less than 60º F (15º C) will not be helpful. Lower temperatures and frost will be very damaging. 

Water

When it comes to watering the string of hearts plant (Ceropegia Woodii), there are some things to remember. As usual, the ‘soak and dry’ method is the best.

We want to let the soil dry off completely, and only then do we want to water. After watering, we should wait until the soil completely dries off, and this process should continue indefinitely. We’ll notice that the soil dries off more slowly during fall and winter. This is fine, as the string of hearts plant (Ceropegia Woodii) seldom needs too much water during this period.

As always, when we water, we want to drench the pot thoroughly and then let our plant rest. It’s important to mention that the string of hearts plants (Ceropegia Woodii), like many succulents and cacti, can withstand underwatering but will seldom recover from overwatering. This is why it’s so crucial to stick to the ‘soak and dry’ method.

Soil

A significant consideration when deciding on the soil mix for the string of hearts plant (Ceropegia Woodii) is good drainage. As with most succulents and cacti, this plant benefits from a ‘soak and dry’ approach to watering. This strategy is feasible only if the soil mix provides adequate, normal drainage. It’s also true that this plant benefits from the right soil mix, which gives it beneficial nutrients.

Humidity

This plant actually tolerates and enjoys about 40-50% humidity. This indicates that the plant can thrive in a variety of environments. It also means, naturally, that we need to be careful that we’re not overwatering it, particularly if it’s located in a humid area. As mentioned earlier, a strict ‘soak and dry’ approach will work wonders.

Air

The string of hearts plant (Ceropegia Woodii) can indeed thrive with humidity. However, humidity can attract pests that may damage the stems. Having good ventilation and air provision is the best way to deal with this, especially if you place the plant in a humid environment.

Check out: String of Dolphins (Dolphin Succulent): Plant Care and Growing Guide

String of Hearts (Ceropegia Woodii) Advanced Care Guidelines

Propagation

Propagating the string of hearts plant (Ceropegia Woodii) is quite simple. There are several methods to do so:

Water propagation

First of all, cut the vines. Place these cuttings in a vase with water. Now, we must just wait for the roots to start growing. The plant must be left in a warm and well-lit location. The appearance of roots should only take a couple of days, more or less.

Soil propagation

Cut off the vines and then remove the leaves from their sides. We want to plant the vine right into the soil. The nodes, in particular, must be inside the soil. Roots will grow this way.

Tuber propagation

We can either leave the tuber attached to the vine and then place it in the soil to encourage root growth. Once there is root growth, it’s possible to cut the vine off the mother plant. Alternatively, it’s possible to remove the vine with such a tuber off the mother plant and then place it in soil.

Potting and repotting

Repotting the string of hearts plant (Ceropegia Woodii) is best done during the summer. This is because this is the growing period, and the stress of repotting is lessened. Hanging pots are ideal.

It’s important to note that repotting will seldom be necessary with this particular plant. Watch out for the typical signs that a succulent needs repotting (weak growth, wilted leaves, etc.), and only then inspect the plant’s root system.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing the string of hearts plant (Ceropegia Woodii) is useful. It’s worth noting that it usually needs only infrequent fertilizing. Half-diluted fertilizer will be adequate enough. Fertilizing about once a month, during the growth period of spring and summer, is beneficial. As with most succulents and cacti, fertilizing is not necessary during fall or winter because the plant goes dormant.

Pest prevention

As mentioned, a key element in the prevention of pests is excellent air and ventilation. Such ventilation is particularly important in humid environments. Another critical factor is strict watering; overwatering and rot may create pest problems.

If the plant is being attacked by pests already, cleaning the affected areas with a cotton swab and alcohol may eliminate fungus gnats and mealybugs.

Pruning

Pruning the string of hearts plant (Ceropegia Woodii) may sometimes be necessary. As always, it’s best to prune during the growing season. The idea is quite simply to prune dead and yellowed leaves, to promote healthy growth.

BEST TIPS: HOW TO CARE FOR STRING OF HEARTS | CEROPEGIA WOODII

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