The variegated string of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) is ideal for hanging baskets, shelf pots, and window frames. For individuals who appreciate plants with little, colorful leaves they can’t go wrong with this plant.
It’s a perennial that grows quickly. Still, some first-time gardeners may be perplexed about how to care for this plant and how to propagate it.
This post will address your worries, answer some frequently asked questions, and provide further information. Let’s scroll down gardening101.net right now!
What Is A Variegated String Of Hearts Plant?
As its name suggests, a variegated string of hearts is a vine with heart leaves. Sweet vine, rosary vine, heart cord, and heart necklace are some of the various names for this plant in South Africa and South Asia.
It’s tubular, and it may occur at any time of the year. Particularly, the chain of hearts blossom in the spring and summer, and the stalks yield little brilliant red bulbs.
The leaves are heart-shaped, succulent, have a striking marbled vein, and come in a variety of hues. The leaves of the common Ceropegia Woodii are predominantly green with a white vein pattern and purple undersides.
Speaking of its size, the plant’s leaves range from about 0.8 inch to less than 0.4 inch. Light, season, and potting size all impact leaf size.
Heartstring plants are often cultivated as houseplants, but they may also be used as a ground cover in rock gardens or cascade down walls.
How To Care For Variegated String Of Hearts?
Water
The beautiful string of hearts require more regular irrigation than many other succulents, despite their drought tolerance.
Thus, you should schedule proper watering. Watering is only required once or twice a week throughout the spring and summer. In the fall and winter months, water every two weeks throughout.
Make sure the soil is completely dry during watering time. This is because excess water can cause yellow leaves to be yellow and root rot.
Hence, keep in mind that you mustn’t leave your plant in floodwater, and you may use your finger to check the soil moisture levels.
The Ceropegia woodii can retain water in its leaves and may live in dry situations. Yet, if your plant’s leaves are wilted and deflated, it’s calling for more water.
Light and Temperature
The plants prefer bright sunlight and a warm temperature, ideally falling between 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they cannot tolerate prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
If you wish to keep them indoors, plant them in western windows where they will receive plenty of bright sunshine. Whether you’re planting them in the backyard or any other outside space, shadowed or indirect light is best for healthy development and flower blossoms.
The Ceropegia woodii do not withstand the cold winter well, so keep your plant away from temperatures below 42 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius).
Humidity
As we’ve discussed, the heartstring plant is a species that does not thrive in hot weather. The finest results will come from warm, flowing heat and adequate air movement. During their dormant season, these plants don’t enjoy a high humidity level.
Appropriate Pot Size And Type
Since the plant’s natural habitat is among rocky crags, use a pot just 1 to 2 inches larger than the root system.
Begin with a small pot when the plant is young. Then, when it reaches maturity, gradually increase the pot size. It’s worth mentioning that changing a pot that’s too big will contain too much water, leading to bacterial growth.
You may also use a well-draining potting mix with perlite and coconut rice husk or a houseplant mix. By doing this, your plant will develop strongly with enough nutrients.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing during hibernation will do more harm than good, so wait till spring. A string of hearts doesn’t require many nutrients. Still, if you want to stimulate more flowers, you may use a houseplant fertilizer once or twice a year during spring and early summer.
The string of hearts plants are not a huge consuming object. It would help to feed them once a month throughout the peak growing time, normally from March to August.
How To Propagate Variegated String Of Hearts?
Water Propagation Method
This method is popular due to its simplicity. You only need scissors, a vase, and some water. Then, remove whichever vine parts you want from the root, put them into the vase, and wait for the roots to develop.
You should change the water every two weeks and make sure it floods the roots. The water level should not be too high on the thin stems as they can rot.
Tuber Propagation Method
For tuber propagation methods, you can cut the tuber-bearing vine from the mother plant.
Then you have to put the tubers in the soil mix and wait for the roots to grow. This plant needs to be watered once a week and placed in bright sunlight.
Soil Propagation Method
First, you cut the vines and then eliminate the leaves before planting the vines into the soil. Make sure that the nodes are buried in soil for the root to grow in this stage.
Moreover, the vines should be in a well-lit, well-aerated location with somewhat damp soil for the roots to develop.
Related Questions
Why Are My Variegated String of Hearts Leaves Small?
Many types of variegated string of hearts that appear lanky or stretched-looking, with a lot of gap between its leaves, are most likely getting insufficient light.
If your plant is in this situation, you need to increase the light exposure. Put your plant closer to a sunny window or use a grow light.
Furthermore, insufficient space may lead to poor development and small leaves. Thus, you’ll need to replace other large pots for the plant to thrive.
Where To Buy Variegated String Of Hearts?
The Ceropegia woodii isn’t uncommon, but it isn’t easy to put your hands on. You can’t always catch one in your neighborhood garden shops or home improvement stores.
If you can’t find any shop nearby or can’t visit the shop due to a time constraint, you can purchase a variegated string of hearts plant for sale online.
From our perspective, we prefer to visit the shop to check the quality in person and pick the high-quality variegated string of hearts seeds. Plus, the seller will provide you with detailed instructions and advice on how to care for your plants throughout their early stages.
How To Know If Your String Of Hearts Plants Are Overwatered?
Yellowing of leaves, edema, root rot, and eventual plant death are all signs of an overwatered string of heart plants. The leaves of your plant will ultimately fall off if you flood the sweetheart vine with excess water.
You may consider placing your plant in the sun to dry up the soil, yet this is not a good idea! The best thing you can do is move the plant out of direct sunlight since this will cause it to become even more stressed.
Alternatively, you can take your plant out of the pot with the soil. To assist it out of the pot, you may need to turn it on. You may also use your hands to free the plant’s roots from the soil. Don’t forget to have a proper watering schedule after that.
How To Make Variegated Strings Of Hearts Fuller?
Keep your string of hearts plants in a bright area with plenty of indirect light to make it fuller.
Another method we recommend is trimming your variegated plant to make them seem larger and bushier. This procedure isn’t essential unless the succulent stems have become leggy and the leaves have begun to lose their vibrant color.
Recap
To recap our article, the variegated string of hearts is a perennial succulent plant with multiple heart-shaped leaves growing on the long stems of the clambering plant.
These plants are generally attractive and charming, whether in a table planter or a hanging basket. When placed above a doorway, a hanging basket is trendy and welcoming.
If you love to plant some in your house, we hope you’ve known how to care and propagate these lovely strings. Thank you for reading and have a good day!