How to Grow and Care for String of Hearts Plant (Ceropegia woodii) Indoors
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Botanical name: Ceropegia woodii
Family: Apocynaceae
Common names: String of Hearts Plant, Rosary Vine, Chinese Lantern, Chain of Hearts
Description
String of Hearts Plant (Ceropegia woodii) also called Rosary Vine, Chinese Lantern or Chain of Hearts is an unusual succulent which is ideal for a hanging basket.
Ceropegia woodii is easy to grow but the heart-shaped leaves are sparsely spaced and the tubular flowers are insignificant.
Chain of Hearts Plant bears trailing stems and fleshy grey-green leaves with an eye-catching marbled pattern which make it ideal for a hanging basket.
Flower
Chinese Lantern flowers are about 1 in. long and they have a bulbous base which forms into enclosed beads which gives this plant one of its common name "Rosary Vine".
Size
Rosary Vine purple-colored, thin stems can grow to 3 ft. long and they easily tangle. The plant is ideal for a hanging basket.
Origin
Ceropegia woodii is native to southern Africa where it is found hanging on rocks.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to add this beauty to your collection, beautiful String of Hearts Plants are available online at Etsy. Buy String of Hearts Plant (Ceropegia woodii) online from Etsy.
Photo Credit: Plant Circle
String of Hearts Plant Care Indoors
String of Hearts Plant (Ceropegia woodii) care indoors is easy when it is provided with the right growing conditions. Chain of Hearts Plant thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warmth and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Ceropegia woodii requires pruning to keep it neat, to discorage pest and disease infestations and to encourage a compact growth. Repotting is only needed when it becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
String of Hearts Plant grows best in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight.
Keep the Chain of Hearts Plant away from direct sunshine as it can lead to scorching of the leaves.
Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant gets adequate light on all sides for even growth.
Where the natural lighting is not sufficient, the Rosary Vine can be grown under a grow light to supplement it.
Watering
Water Ceropegia woodii liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist.
Significantly reduce watering during the cold season to keep the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time but do not let the soil dry out completely.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole inorder to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting and eventual death of the plant.
Temperature
Average warmth between 16-250C is ideal for String of Hearts Plant. Keep it away from cold draughts as they can cause leaf drop and brown leaf tips and edges.
Humidity
Average room humidity is adequate for String of Hearts Plant. It has no need for high humidity.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed String of Hearts Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing period for a lush growth.
Stop feeding during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.
Repotting
Repot Ceropegia woodii at the beginning of the growing season only when it becomes pot-bound. Take care not to damage the fragile stems.
Use a pot one size larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
A shallow rather than deep pot is preferable as the Chain of Hearts plant has a small root system.
Soil
The best soil for String of Hearts Plant should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough.
Cactus and Succulents soil is ideal for this plant. Buy quality Cactus and Succulents Soil for Chinese Lantern online from Etsy.
Pruning
Pruning String of Hearts Plant involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as reduce pest and disease infestations.
To encourage a bushy compact growth and to control growth, regularly pinch off the growing tips.
Plant the Chain of Hearts Plant tips in the pot to fill up the empty spaces for a fuller plant or use them to propagate new plants.
Propagation
String of Hearts Plant (Ceropegia woodii) can be propagated from leaf or stem cuttings.
How to Propagate String of Hearts Plant from leaf cuttings
String of Hearts Plant leaf cuttings root easily therefore, there is no need for a rooting hormone.
Take leaf cuttings from a healthy plant while ensuring each leaf cutting has a petiole.
Allow sometime for the formation of a protective callus tissue over the cuts.
Insert the leaf petiole in moist, free-draining soil and place the set up in a warm, well-lit place until growth begins at the base of the petiole.
Allow for substantial growth of the roots and new leaves on the leaf cutting.
Transfer the new plants to individual pots and place in a warm, well-lit place. For a fuller plant, transfer several cuttings into one pot.
Maintain the soil moist until the new Ceropegia woodii are well established after which routine care can begin.
How to Propagate String of Hearts Plant from stem cuttings
String of Hearts Plant stem cuttings root easily and there is no need for a rooting hormone.
Take stem cuttings of about 4-5 in. length from a healthy String of Hearts Plant and ensure each cutting has at least 2 sets of leaves.
Lay the cuttings on moist rooting soil and place in warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight. For a fuller Rosary Vine, plant several cuttings in one pot.
Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges and substantial growth has been observed after which you can begin routine care.
Photo Credit: Plant Circle
String of Hearts Plant Problems Indoors
String of Hearts Plant (Ceropegia woodii) problems indoors include leaf drop, brown tips and edges, yellowing, drooping leaves, discolored leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Brown leaf tips and edges
Brown leaf tips and edges in String of Hearts Plant are due to sudden drop in temperature from cold draughts.
Remove all the damaged leaves and keep the plant away from cold draughts like windy doors and windows, air conditioning units.
Sudden leaf loss (drop)
There are two possible causes of sudden leaf drop in String of Hearts Plant. One possible cause of sudden loss of leaves is too low temperature.
Protect the Rosary Vine from cold draughts as they cause sudden temperature drops or move it to a warmer spot.
The second possible cause of sudden loss of leaves in String of Hearts Plant is that the plant has been underwatered.
Water the Chain of Hearts Plant liberally during the growing season while allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to keep it moderately moist.
Cut down on watering during the cold season to keep the soil barely moist but do not allow it to dry out completely.
Dull and lifeless leaves
Exposing String of Hearts Plant to hot direct sunlight will cause the leaves to become dull and lifeless. Shield the plant from hot direct sunlight or move it to a more shaded spot.
Yellowing and dropping leaves
Yellowing and dropping leaves in String of Hearts Plant is due to overwatering or soggy soil.
Always allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings and maintain it moderately moist but never soggy.
Confirm the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy (too wet).
Wilted and discolored leaves
Wilted and discolored leaves with corky (scabs) on the underside in String of Hearts Plant are an indication of root-rot disease which is promoted by soggy soil.
If not corrected in time, root-rot can lead to the death of the plant.
Maintain the soil moderately moist during the growing season and barely moist in the cold season but never soggy.
Always make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and use loose free-draining soil to prevent it from getting soggy. Read more on how to treat root-rot in houseplants.
Diseases
The other common disease in String of Hearts Plant is leaf spot disease which are promoted by overwet growing conditions.
Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the leaf spot disease.
Pests
Common pests in String of Hearts Plants are Spider Mites, Aphids and Scale Insects. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests. Read on how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.
Is String of Hearts Plant toxic?
String of Hearts Plant (Ceropegia woodii) is not known to be toxic to humans or pets. The plant is safe to grow in the home.
