Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
Toxic to pets
String of Hearts
Ceropegia woodii · Apocynaceae
Easy
Pet-safe
Ceropegia woodii is a trailing succulent-like vine native to South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe, where it grows on rocky slopes and cliff faces. It is best known for its slender purple stems adorned with small, paired, heart-shaped leaves that are dark green with silvery marbling on the upper surface and pale purple-pink beneath. The plant produces small, tubular, purplish-pink flowers and forms distinctive bead-like aerial tubers along its stems, which serve as water and nutrient stores.
☀ Light
Bright indirect light; tolerates some direct morning sun
💧 Water
Allow soil to dry out almost completely between waterings
🌡 Temp
15 to 26 degrees C; no lower than 10 degrees C
💦 Humidity
Low to moderate; tolerates normal household levels
🌿 Soil
Well-draining, gritty mix; cactus or succulent compost
🍽 Feeding
Dilute balanced fertiliser monthly during spring and summer
Photo: Photo: Dr. David Midgley / CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
How to care for String of Hearts
Light
String of Hearts thrives in bright, indirect light and will tolerate a few hours of gentle direct sun, particularly morning sun, without leaf scorch. A position near a south- or west-facing window is ideal in the UK. Insufficient light causes the leaf markings to fade, the stems to etiolate, and spacing between leaves to increase markedly. Avoid deep shade, which weakens the plant considerably.
Watering
This plant stores water in its fleshy leaves, stems, and tubers, so it is highly susceptible to root rot if overwatered. Allow the top two thirds of the compost to dry out between waterings, then water thoroughly until it drains freely from the base. In winter, reduce watering significantly, perhaps once every three to four weeks, as the plant enters a semi-dormant period. Always discard excess water from saucers promptly.
Soil and potting
A very free-draining compost is essential. A proprietary cactus and succulent mix works well, or a standard peat-free houseplant compost can be amended with around 30 to 50 per cent perlite or horticultural grit to improve drainage and aeration. Heavy, moisture-retentive compost will almost certainly lead to root and tuber rot.
Feeding
Feed once a month from April to September with a balanced liquid fertiliser diluted to half the manufacturer's recommended strength. A fertiliser with a slightly higher potassium content, such as a tomato feed, can promote flowering. Do not feed during autumn and winter when growth slows, as unused nutrients can accumulate and stress the plant.
Humidity and temperature
Ceropegia woodii tolerates normal household humidity well and does not require misting or a humidifier. It prefers temperatures between 15 and 26 degrees C and should not be exposed to temperatures below 10 degrees C for any prolonged period. Keep it away from cold draughts, single-glazed windows in winter, and heating vents, which can dry out the foliage.
Repotting
Repot every two to three years, or when roots visibly fill the pot and begin to emerge from drainage holes. Choose a pot only one size larger, as excessively large containers retain more moisture than the plant can use and increase the risk of rot. Spring is the best time to repot. Terracotta pots are advantageous as they allow moisture to evaporate through the walls.
Pruning
Pruning is not strictly necessary but can be carried out in spring to tidy leggy growth and encourage bushier, denser trailing stems. Simply trim back individual strands to the desired length using clean scissors or snips. Pruned sections can be used as cuttings for propagation. Removing dead or yellowed leaves as they appear helps maintain the plant's appearance and hygiene.
Is String of Hearts toxic?
Pets: Non-toxic. Ceropegia woodii is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Ingestion is not expected to cause significant harm, though consumption of any plant material may cause mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhoea in some individuals. If in doubt, consult a veterinarian.
People: Not considered toxic to humans. The plant has traditional uses in parts of southern Africa, though it is not recommended for consumption.
People: Not considered toxic to humans. The plant has traditional uses in parts of southern Africa, though it is not recommended for consumption.
Common problems
Yellow, mushy leaves and soft, discoloured stems at the base
Likely cause: Root rot caused by overwatering or poorly draining compost Fix: Remove the plant from its pot, trim away any black or mushy roots, allow remaining roots to dry for a few hours, then repot into fresh, dry, well-draining compost. Reduce watering frequency.
Pale, washed-out leaf colouring and widely spaced, small leaves
Likely cause: Insufficient light Fix: Move the plant to a brighter position with more direct ambient light or a few hours of gentle direct sun. Avoid deep shade.
Shrivelled, wrinkled leaves that feel deflated
Likely cause: Underwatering or the plant being root-bound with insufficient compost to retain any moisture Fix: Water thoroughly and allow to drain. If the plant is root-bound, repot into a slightly larger container. Check that water is actually penetrating the compost rather than running straight down the sides of a dry root ball.
Tiny white or grey fluffy clusters on stems and leaf axils
Likely cause: Mealybug infestation Fix: Remove visible mealybugs with a cotton bud dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Treat the whole plant with neem oil solution or an insecticidal soap spray, repeating every seven to ten days for several weeks. Isolate from other plants.
Fine webbing on undersides of leaves and dusty, stippled foliage
Likely cause: Red spider mite, typically encouraged by low humidity and warm, dry conditions Fix: Increase humidity around the plant, and treat with an insecticidal soap or neem oil spray, ensuring coverage of leaf undersides. Repeat applications will be needed. Isolate the plant from others.
Leaves dropping and stems appearing limp despite adequate watering
Likely cause: Cold temperatures or cold draughts, or sudden temperature fluctuation Fix: Move the plant away from cold windows, draughty doorways, or air conditioning units. Ensure temperatures remain consistently above 10 degrees C.
How to propagate
Stem cuttings in water or compost
Cut a healthy strand into sections each bearing two or three pairs of leaves, ensuring each section includes at least one node. Root in a small glass of water or insert directly into moist, gritty compost, keeping warm and in bright indirect light. Roots typically appear within two to four weeks.
Aerial tuber propagation
The bead-like tubers that form along the stems can be removed and pressed lightly onto the surface of moist, well-draining compost without burying them. Kept warm and humid, they will produce roots and new shoots within a few weeks.
Layering
Pin a section of stem bearing a tuber or node directly onto the surface of a small pot of compost placed beside the parent plant, securing it with a hairpin or bent wire. Once roots have established and new growth is visible, sever the stem connecting it to the parent plant.
Where String of Hearts comes from
Native to southern Africa, South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe.
Story and origins
The genus name Ceropegia derives from the Greek words 'keros', meaning wax, and 'pege', meaning fountain or spring, a reference to the waxy texture and unusual candelabra-like form of the flowers in the type species as described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. The species epithet 'woodii' is a Latinised patronym honouring John Medley Wood (1827 to 1915), a British-born botanist and horticulturist who served as the first curator of the Natal Herbarium in Durban and who collected the specimens upon which the formal description was based.
Ceropegia woodii was collected by John Medley Wood on a rocky hillside in Natal, South Africa, in 1881, and was subsequently described and named by the botanist William Turner Thiselton-Dyer. It was introduced to cultivation in Europe in the late 19th century and became a popular houseplant throughout the 20th century, particularly valued for its unusual trailing habit and ease of cultivation on windowsills. In parts of southern Africa, the plant holds minor cultural significance and has been used in traditional medicine, though documentation of these uses is limited. Its heart-shaped leaves have given rise to an association with love and friendship in the contemporary houseplant culture, contributing to its enduring popularity.
Varieties to know
Ceropegia woodii f. variegata
Variegated form with cream, pink, and green marbled leaves; slower growing and requires more light to maintain its colouring.
Ceropegia woodii 'Silver Glory'
Features more pronounced silver patterning on the leaf surface, giving a brighter, more metallic appearance than the species.
Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii
The same plant referred to under its formerly accepted subspecies classification; the name is still encountered in some nursery catalogues.
Fun facts
- The aerial tubers that appear along the stems are known as phytomeres or stem tubers; they function as emergency water and carbohydrate reserves and can regenerate an entire plant if separated.
- The tubular flowers of Ceropegia species are adapted to temporarily trap small insects, particularly fungus gnats and flies, to facilitate pollination before releasing them unharmed, a mechanism known as a temporary trap flower.
- Ceropegia woodii was first described scientifically by John Medley Wood, the curator of the Durban Botanic Gardens, who collected specimens in Natal in 1881, and the species was formally named in his honour.
- In its native habitat, the plant grows from a large, perennial, underground tuber or caudex that can persist through drought and fire, sending up new vines when conditions improve.
- The species belongs to the subfamily Asclepiadoideae within Apocynaceae, meaning it is more closely related to milkweeds than to true cacti or succulents, despite its water-storing adaptations.
String of Hearts FAQ
Why are the leaves on my String of Hearts so small and far apart?
This is almost always caused by insufficient light. Move the plant to a brighter location, ideally near a window with several hours of bright indirect light or gentle direct sun. Improved light levels should result in larger, more closely spaced leaves on new growth, although existing etiolated stems will not change.
How often should I water my String of Hearts?
There is no fixed schedule, as frequency depends on pot size, compost type, temperature, and season. The most reliable approach is to check the compost and water only when the top two thirds feel dry to the touch. In summer this may mean watering every one to two weeks; in winter it may be as infrequent as once a month.
Can I hang my String of Hearts in direct sunlight?
It tolerates gentle direct sun, particularly morning sun, without significant damage. However, intense afternoon sun through glass, especially in summer, can scorch the thin leaves and cause bleaching or brown, papery patches. Bright, indirect light or dappled sun is preferable for prolonged direct exposure.
What are the small bead-like balls growing along the stems?
These are aerial tubers, sometimes called stem tubers or phytomeres. They are natural water and carbohydrate stores that the plant produces as a survival mechanism. They can be detached and used to propagate new plants by placing them on the surface of moist compost.
My String of Hearts is not flowering. What can I do?
Flowering is most likely to occur when the plant receives adequate bright light and is slightly root-bound. Feeding with a high-potassium fertiliser such as diluted tomato feed during spring and summer can help. The flowers are small and easily overlooked; they appear on the stems between the leaves and are tubular and purplish-pink in colour.
Is String of Hearts safe to keep around cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA classifies Ceropegia woodii as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. While it is not expected to cause serious harm if chewed or ingested, any consumption of plant material can potentially cause mild digestive upset in some animals. Keeping the plant out of reach is still advisable as a precaution.
Why are my String of Hearts leaves turning yellow?
Yellowing leaves most commonly indicate overwatering or root rot, particularly if the yellowing is widespread and the stems feel soft at the base. Isolated lower leaves yellowing occasionally is normal ageing. Check the compost and roots; if rot is present, repot into fresh, dry compost after removing affected roots and reduce watering frequency going forward.
