If you are running out of ideas when choosing a plant to grow in your garden, it’s time to consider the string of hearts plant. It is a beautiful, unique, and easy houseplant that requires less maintenance, which makes it ideal for beginners. The string of hearts plant, Ceropegia woodii, features heart-shaped leaves trailing from thin, wiry vines. It also bears a sprinkle of unique, pinkish flowers. If you want this plant in your garden, this is the care guide you need to follow.
What is the String of Hearts Plant?
The string of hearts plant is called by many names, including Rosary Vine String of Hearts, Chain of Hearts, Sweetheart Vine, Hearts Enmeshed, and Ceropegia woodii. This species was discovered hanging from rocks on Groenberg Mountain in Natal in 1881 by John Medley Wood. Wood is the curator of the Durban Botanic Gardens. In 1894, he sent a living plant to Kew. Matilda Smith, a botanical artist, prepared the plate, while the Kew taxonomist, N. E. Brown, produced a detailed description. He named the plant after its discoverer.
The string of hearts plant is considered an evergreen succulent vine that can grow up to 10 in height and spread up to 6 ft 7 in–13 ft 1 in length. The plants’ leaves are shaped like hearts, about 1–2 cm wide and long. It is essential to care for the string of heart plants to have a deep green color. You can tell if it has been placed under insufficient lighting if you see the leaves as pale green. The flower form of the string of hearts plant is quite similar to those of other Ceropegia species.
Taking Care of Your String of Heart Plants
Now that you have some knowledge about heart plants, it is essential to know how you can take care of them once you grow them in your garden. The first thing to remember is that taking care of this plant depends on the container you will be using. For instance, suppose you want the plant to grow down and produce flowers, you must water your string of hearts regularly. You can do it about once a week, depending on weather conditions. But, if you want to trim away the dead leaves and encourage them to climb up a wall with no light, then don’t do irrigation and feed your string of hearts with an organic fertilizer instead. You can do this during the spring and summer seasons.
As mentioned earlier, the string of hearts plant will produce bright green leaves if it is placed under sufficient sunlight. The color will be pale green if it receives insufficient sunlight. The key here is that it depends on what you want to cultivate from this attractive plant. Take note that the plant will grow in good soil in a sunny location; however, you have to ensure the temperature does not get too hot or too cold. Suppose you want to propagate the string of hearts plant; you can do this using its seeds. All propagation must come from cuttings, meaning to get a new plant, you need to have a rooted cutting and place it in the pot’s soil. Suppose you find a good specimen that takes the cuttings from the plant in the spring or summer of each year.
The string of hearts plant is a perennial plant that is ideal for growing in your garden. Whether you are a beginner or an expert in gardening, you will surely love the beauty of this plant. It can improve any landscape, but it is also a perfect choice for those looking for less maintenance plants. If you are considering growing and propagating the string of hearts plant, make sure to follow the care tips mentioned here.
