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Plant guideString of hearts care: the complete guide
Guidance verified against current care guides (Soltech, Our House Plants, Plantura, Patch, Wikipedia) and a check of the ASPCA plant database on 9 October 2026. Figures were taken from search summaries of those pages, dated the same day. Sources linked below.
A string of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) needs bright indirect light, water once the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry, and temperatures of about 68 to 77°F (20 to 25°C). It is a trailing vine whose heart-shaped leaves and bead-like aerial tubers store water, and the ASPCA has no listing for it.
| Attribute | What a string of hearts needs |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright, indirect light; short spells of direct sun from an east or west window |
| Water | When the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry; much less in winter |
| Temperature | About 68 to 77°F (20 to 25°C); struggles below about 59°F (15°C); never below about 46°F (8°C) |
| Humidity | Average household air |
| Soil / pot | Loose, fast-draining succulent or cactus mix; pot with drainage holes |
| Toxicity | Not listed by the ASPCA; reported non-toxic by pet-safety and care sources |
Is a string of hearts the same as a string of pearls?
No. A string of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) and a string of pearls (Curio rowleyanus) are different plants from different genera that share a trailing habit. The differences change how you care for them and how safe they are around pets.
| String of hearts | String of pearls | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Flat, heart-shaped, often marbled, on purple-tinged stems | Round, bead-like |
| Water storage | Leaves plus small aerial tubers on the stems | Leaves (the pearls) |
| Light | Bright, indirect | Bright, with gentle direct sun |
| Watering | Top 1 to 2 inches dry | Soil completely dry, every 2 to 3 weeks |
| Pets | No ASPCA listing; reported non-toxic elsewhere | Toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA) |
See the string of pearls care guide for the toxic look-alike.
How much light does a string of hearts need?
A string of hearts needs bright, indirect light, and it tolerates short spells of direct sun from an east or west window. Too much sun yellows and crisps the leaves. Too little light leaves wide gaps between small leaves on thin strands and fades the leaf marbling. The light guide explains how to judge a spot.
How often should you water a string of hearts?
Water a string of hearts when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry, and cut back in winter. The roots are shallow and dislike long dryness, but the tubers and leaves store water, so underwatering is safer than overwatering. Constant wet soil causes yellow leaves, leaf drop and root rot. The watering guide covers the finger test.
What soil and pot does a string of hearts need?
Use a loose, fast-draining succulent or cactus mix in a pot with drainage holes. Drainage matters more than any other trait. A shallow or hanging pot suits the trailing habit. The soil and pot guide and repotting guide cover mixes and timing.
What temperature does a string of hearts need?
A string of hearts grows best at about 68 to 77°F (20 to 25°C) and struggles below about 59°F (15°C). In winter dormancy it tolerates a cooler room but should not fall below about 46°F (8°C). Keep it away from cold drafts. See the temperature guide for other plants.
What are the beads on a string of hearts?
The small beads along the stems are aerial tubers that store water. This is why the plant is also called rosary vine. The tubers let it ride out dry spells, and they can be used for propagation.
Why are my string of hearts leaves yellow, crisp or sparse?
Yellow or crisp leaves point to light or water stress, and sparse leaves point to low light. Check the light and the soil first.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow, crispy leaves | Too much direct sun | Move to bright, indirect light |
| Yellowing then leaf loss, soil wet | Overwatering | Let the top 1 to 2 inches dry between waterings and check the roots for rot |
| Small leaves with wide gaps on thin strands | Too little light | Move to a brighter spot |
| Bare stems at the pot rim | Old growth dying back | Trim and propagate the healthy tips |
The overwatering vs underwatering guide covers the general diagnosis.
When should you repot and fertilise a string of hearts?
Repot a string of hearts only when the pot is full, and feed it monthly at half strength in spring and summer. NC State Extension says the plant prefers to be crowded, so repotting waits until it is needed. Patch Plants recommends a balanced, water-soluble fertiliser at half strength once a month in the growing season and none in winter. The plant is a light feeder, so skipping a feed does less harm than over-feeding.
Use a pot with drainage holes and a gritty, fast-draining mix; the soil and pot guide covers mixes, and the repotting guide covers the steps.
Which pests attack a string of hearts?
Mealybugs, aphids and scale insects are the pests that attack a string of hearts. The RHS lists all three, and NC State Extension advises monitoring for them.
| Pest | Sign | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Mealybugs | White cottony clusters at leaf joints | Dab with rubbing alcohol, or wash off with water |
| Aphids | Small insects on new growth, sticky residue | Wash off with water, then use soapy water |
| Scale | Small brown bumps on stems | Scrape or wipe off, then treat with soapy water |
Sources agree on inspecting regularly and removing pests as found. The treatments above come from gardening guides (Suburbs101, Monjungle), not extension trials. Wet winter soil also risks basal rot, per the RHS; see the root rot guide.
How do you propagate a string of hearts?
Propagate a string of hearts from stem cuttings or from its aerial tubers. Cut a length of vine that includes at least one node, and root it in water or moist, loose mix. Pin several cuttings into one pot for a fuller plant. The propagation guide compares methods across plants.
Is string of hearts toxic to cats and dogs?
The ASPCA database has no entry for string of hearts (Ceropegia woodii), so its status is unconfirmed by the ASPCA. Pet-safety and care sources report it as non-toxic, but those sources do not cite the ASPCA. Treat it as low risk rather than proven safe: keep it out of reach, and call a vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) if a pet eats a large amount. It is not on the ASPCA-verified table in the pet-safe plants list; the string of pearls, which looks similar, is listed as toxic.
FAQ
- How often should you water a string of hearts?
- Water a string of hearts when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry, and water less in winter. The tubers store water, so underwatering is safer than overwatering, which causes yellow leaves, leaf drop and root rot.
- Is string of hearts toxic to cats and dogs?
- The ASPCA database has no entry for string of hearts (Ceropegia woodii), so its status is unconfirmed by the ASPCA. Pet-safety and care sources report it as non-toxic. Keep it out of reach anyway and call a vet if a pet eats a large amount.
- What light does a string of hearts need?
- A string of hearts needs bright, indirect light and tolerates short spells of direct sun from an east or west window. Too much sun yellows and crisps the leaves; too little light spaces the leaves far apart on thin strands.
- What are the beads on a string of hearts?
- The small beads along the stems are aerial tubers. The plant uses them to store water, which is why it is called rosary vine, and they can be used for propagation.
- What temperature does a string of hearts need?
- A string of hearts grows best at about 68 to 77°F (20 to 25°C) and struggles below about 59°F (15°C). In winter dormancy it tolerates cooler rooms but should not fall below about 46°F (8°C).
- How often should you repot a string of hearts?
- Repot a string of hearts only when the pot is full. NC State Extension says the plant prefers to be crowded, and sources give no fixed interval.
- Should you fertilise a string of hearts?
- Feed a string of hearts monthly at half strength in spring and summer, and not in winter (Patch Plants). It is a light feeder and does not need frequent fertiliser.
- What pests attack a string of hearts?
- Mealybugs, aphids and scale insects attack a string of hearts (RHS, NC State Extension). Remove them by hand, wash them off, or use soapy water or rubbing alcohol.
Related guides
Sources
- Soltech, String of Hearts Plant Care
- Our House Plants, String of Hearts Guide
- Plantura, String of Hearts: care, flower and propagation
- Patch, Complete Guide to Ceropegia woodii Care
- Wikipedia, Ceropegia woodii
- ASPCA, Toxic and Non-toxic Plants
- RHS, Ceropegia woodii
- NC State Extension, Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii