String Of Hearts
Ceropegia woodii
A delicate trailing succulent with heart-shaped, silver-marbled leaves strung along thread-like purple stems. Prized as an easy, fast-growing hanging plant.
- Light
- Bright indirect light
- Water
- Sparingly; let soil dry fully
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
String of Hearts is a semi-succulent trailing vine native to southern Africa, beloved for its cascading strands of small heart-shaped leaves. Each leaf is dark green and marbled with silver above, often flushing purple underneath.
Mature plants can trail several feet, making them a favorite for hanging baskets and high shelves. As a member of the milkweed family, it produces curious tubular pink-and-magenta flowers and tiny tubers along the stems.
How to identify it
Look for these distinctive traits:
- Leaves: small (1-2 cm) heart-shaped, fleshy, dark green with silvery web-like marbling; purple undersides
- Stems: wiry, thread-thin, purple to bronze, trailing 2-4 ft or more
- Flowers: unusual tubular blooms, pale pink at the base swelling to a deep magenta "lantern" tip
- Tubers: pea-sized woody bulbils form at nodes (sometimes called "beads")
Care & growing
Light: Bright indirect light keeps marbling and purple tones vivid; some direct morning sun is fine.
Water: Treat as a succulent. Water only when soil is fully dry, roughly every 2-3 weeks, and reduce in winter. Overwatering causes rot.
Soil: Fast-draining cactus or succulent mix.
Temperature: 60-80F (15-27C); protect from frost.
Feeding: Dilute succulent fertilizer once a month in spring and summer.
Propagation: Very easy. Lay a stem on soil, bury a tuber, or root cuttings in water at the nodes.
Habitat & origin
Native to South Africa, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe, where it grows as a trailing ground cover on rocky slopes and cliff faces, rooting wherever its tubers touch the ground.
Worldwide it is grown as a popular indoor hanging plant and, in frost-free climates, as an outdoor trailer or rockery accent.
Uses & benefits
Almost entirely ornamental, valued for its delicate cascading habit in hanging baskets, shelves, and terrariums.
Its non-toxic nature makes it a safe choice for homes with pets, and the easily detached tubers make it a fun plant to share and propagate.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my String of Hearts leaves spaced far apart?
Sparse, leggy growth with long gaps between leaves usually means insufficient light. Move it to a brighter spot with more indirect sun.
Is String of Hearts a succulent?
Yes, it is a semi-succulent. Its fleshy leaves store water, so it should be watered sparingly like other succulents.
What are the little balls on the stems?
Those are aerial tubers (bulbils). You can plant them in soil to grow new plants.
Is it safe for cats and dogs?
Yes, Ceropegia woodii is considered non-toxic to pets and humans.
String Of Hearts guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for String Of Hearts.
