Native to South Africa, the String of Hearts belongs to the genus Ceropegia. The Ceropegia genus includes over 180 species of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae. The String of Hearts (Ceropegia Woodii) is the most commonly recognized Ceropegia, displaying small heart shaped leaves on thin vines. The foliage of Ceropegia is typically small and green, and ranges in shape from hearts, to spades, to “needles”. On mature String of Hearts, nodes swell to form aerial tubers, which are used to store water and nutrients. When in contact with soil, these tubers root, forming new plants or strengthening the mother plant. Ceropegia plants are non-toxic to both humans and pets.
Ceropegia requires moderate to bright, indirect light.
Water with filtered or rain water when 85% of the soil is dry. A great way to test if your String of Hearts is ready for water is to gently fold the leaves- if leaves fold easily into a taco shape, it’s time for a thorough watering!
These plants are cold adverse, keep in temperatures between 65-80°F with humidity levels between 40%- 60%.
Propagation is relatively easy with Ceropegia plants. Stem cuttings can be taken at any time during the growing season and rooted in water or potting mix. Tubers can also be planted to root easily in soil!
