This guy could win anyone over with its style, class and overall cuteness! It is impossible to look at the plant and not think, "well that's just adorable". Then when you learn that this guy grows like wildfire, you now do everything you can to own one!
If this sounds like you- welcome to my world!
Varieties:
The weird things is- there really isn't any major variation unlike lots of houseplants that have tons of cultivars! There is a regular String of Hearts and variegated String of Hearts. The only difference is the added streaks of pink and white that can be found along the leaves and stems.
The String of Hearts' botanical name is Ceropegia woodii. Which is is actually the same botanical name for the not-as-cute relatives String of Spades and String of Daggers. These are also known as 'Heartless' String of Hearts because they have a pointed or triangle shaped leaf instead of a heart. The String of Daggers (as you can guess) is a thinner, longer leaf.
Sun Requirements:
This plant would like the most amount of light you can give it. If you can't give this plant enough light you may find the stems getting leggy with much more space between the leaves. They need bright light that is mostly indirect light but they can handle (and they like) direct sunlight for a bit of time. Leaving this plant in direct sunlight all afternoon in the summer is not ideal because the leaves can burn. But allowing this plant to enjoy a few hours of direct sunlight can be beneficial!
Water Requirement:
You need to allow the soil for the String of Hearts to dry out completely between watering. In order to make sure this happens, use a well draining soil like a cactus soil. If you can't find cactus soil, you can add perlite or sand to a regular potting mix. If you are wondering whether or not you should be watering again, wait a few more days. It is best for the plant to underwater than overwater.
Suggestion: Lift up your potted plant (obviously if it is small enough- don't break you back!) when
your plant is saturated to understand how heavy it feels when watered versus needing water. We used to do this at the garden center to understand if the hanging baskets needed water.
Fertilizer:
As always, there is no "right" product to use here. The active growing season for String of Hearts is spring, and summer, so make sure you are only fertilizing during those seasons. Usually I am seeing increased growth activity in late February/early March, and slowing down in August. You can...
1. Apply a half strength liquid houseplant or all-purpose fertilizer every couple weeks or every month (depending how often the packaging tells you to).
2. Apply a slow release fertilizer. This can free up some time since you may only need to apply this fertilizer once or twice.
This is completely up to you! I have always used a slow release fertilizer because of convenience, but I have started switching over to a liquid all purpose fertilizer just to see if there is a difference. I haven't used it enough to understand quite yet, but will update this when I do!
Propagation:
Easy peasy, lemon squeezy! There are a couple ways to do it...
Take a longer stem cutting and place it on top of soil. There are "tubers" that form on the stems right below the leaves. Roots will begin to grow in those spots creating multiple root zones along the stem. Make sure to spray the top of the soil and to keep it moist while establishing roots.
Take a stem cutting and place in water or plant in soil. If you are taking a cutting and placing it in soil make sure to use a well-draining soil. But keep the soil a bit more moist while the roots are being established. If you are placing cuttings in water... well there isn't much explaining to that! Just make sure to pull of the leaves on the stem that will be in the water.
Flower:
This plant has a light pink/white/purple flower. Just because it is a houseplant doesn't mean that it is rare to see these flowers! The picture on the right shows my String of Hearts blooming!
These flowers can bloom indoors as long as you are giving it the appropriate light, water, and fertilizer.
Other Facts:
Semi-succulent because the stems can store water
Best grown as a plant that drapes over your planter- place this up high and watch those stems flow like a waterfall over the edge of the pot!
SUPER fast growing, especially when providing the right amount of light, water, and fertilizer.
Your normal home humidity is okay for these guys! Spraying every once in a while is healthy, but not necessary!
#stringofhearts #stringofdaggers #stringofspades #trailingtuesday #crazyplantlady #ihaveathingwithplants #plantcommunity #urbanjungle #funfacts #podcast #houseplanthomebody
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FUN FACT:
I purchased my plants at Equinox Botanical Boutique in Kenosha, WI but I have also seen them available at Watter Farms in Neenah, WI. I have also seen SEVERAL online plant companies selling them but they are typically much more expensive (in my experience).
Always written with extreme plant passion!
Love, Holly