One of the most beautiful plants that one can use indoors or outdoors is the String of Hearts. It is part of the Apocynaceae family and is native to South Africa. It can also be referred to as the Chain of Hearts, Collar of Hearts, and Rosary Vine.
It is well known for being easy to care for, unique, and attractive, with many people worldwide looking to have one in their house and outside in their gardens. Those lucky enough to have access to them live in warm climates like the Mediterranean. It is evergreen and is a trailing flower too, so it is perfect for hanging on windowsills or baskets. It has grey/green foliage, and its heart-shaped leaves add to its stunning look. Its blooms are also interesting, with their inch-long tubular shape.
What this short article looks to do, is discuss the best ways to care for your String of Hearts plant and how to propagate it effectively.
Table of Contents
Things to Note
- Seeing as the tubers attached to the String of hearts are aerial tubers, they should not be planted too far down into the soil. They work best when they are planted nearer the soil.
- Seeing as they grow pretty fast and are stringy, never be afraid to cut your String of hearts a little and keep it looking tidy.
- While you should definitely leave an extra inch or two in your pot, you shouldn’t buy a pot that is too large, or the pant will fill up the room.
Basic Care
As is the case with any flower, once you have the correct temperature, humidity, and light, then you will be able to see rapid growth with your String of hearts. It is a great plant to start growing if you are newer to the plant industry and want to start off with a nice and easy plant. This is because it will not dry out and die too quickly if it is neglected. In terms of light, it is best to leave the plant somewhere that will allow for indirect sunlight. If the leaves are subject to too much light, they will become damaged.
In contrast to many other plants, String of Heart performs best in cacti potting mixes, and bright indirect light will allow for more variegation on the leaves. One way of telling if the plant has enough light is small spaces between the leaves. If there are larger spaces between the leaves, you know that the plant is not getting enough light.
Watering the String of Hearts plant follows the same process as watering any other plant and completely depends on the season. If it is spring or summer, it is best to water the plant once or twice a week because the String of hearts grows best in more moist conditions. In contrast to this, the plant is likely to be dormant in the colder fall and winter months and will only require a light watering every 2 weeks.
Beware not to overwater the plant, or else you risk making the soil too soggy and causing root rot. The String is such a good plant for beginners because even if you forget to water it, it can store some moisture within its leaves and keep hydrated. The leaves are “drought-tolerant”, but as mentioned above, when it is growing season, you should be watering them twice a week for best results.
Finally, concerning watering and drainage, be sure to have some method or system to keep your water fresh. While the plant is drought-proof, it will likely damage the leaves if kept in stagnant water for too long.
Even if your plant is using its stored moisture to maintain its longevity, if it is kept in a climate that is too hot or too cold, it will be unlikely to survive. Typically, warm conditions of about 60-80 degrees F will help to aid growth. Temperatures lover than 41 degrees F, however, will cause issues for the plant and kill it. However, seeing as many people use the String of hearts as an indoor plant, the room temperature will keep it alive throughout the year, even in the off-season.
When it comes to fertilizing the String of hearts, I find it to be quite straightforward. Different sites and gardening experts will recommend these concoctions and specific mixes. Still, regular liquid fertilizer works well for me as the plant does not need a host of specific nutrients. A typical houseplant fertilizer will also work well. When choosing a pot, choose one that will give the soil a little space. A potting mix like a cactus mix or a succulent mix will allow for better draining. Repotting works best in around February or March.
Propagation of the String of Hearts
When it comes to effective propagation of the String of hearts plant, I feel that there is a three-step process that should be followed:
- Trim just under the nodule: Once the plant is starting to blossom healthily, you will see little tubers growing on the vines. To begin propagating, trim off of a vine that has a tuber attached to it.
- Place the tuber that you have cut into a new pot and plant it. Once a tuber touches the soil, it will begin to take root anyway.
- Keep your soil moist and be patient. Proper rooting will take around a month to finish.
FAQs
If you have all of the right conditions and look after the plant properly from seed onwards, then it should take about 8-10 weeks for the plant to grow properly
The String of hearts plant grows best in temperatures between 21 and 29 degrees Celsius. You should keep it above 15 degrees at least to keep it healthy.
No, it is not recommended because too much water is bad for the leaves. However, the best course of action is to water the plant once a week to keep the soil moist.
The String of hearts plant is known as a Ceropegia Woodii and is non-toxic.
This tends to be a result of overwatering. The plant itself is succulent, so it does not require constant watering. If you overwater it, it will damage the leaves. If they are falling off, look to reduce the amount of watering that you are doing.
