The String of Hearts plant belongs to the candlestick family and is very popular as a houseplant because of its decorative leaves and flowers. In addition, it is extremely easy to care for. We give an overview of the plant and some care tips.
The tropical succulent is particularly well suited to being kept in a traffic light pot, as it forms long shoots that hang out of the pot. In this article you can find out what else makes the beautiful plant special, what you should consider when choosing the location and how you can easily propagate the String of Hearts yourself.
String of Hearts: flower, origin and characteristics
The String of Hearts or Candlestick Flower (Ceropegia woodii) belongs to the genus of Candlestick Flowers (Ceropegia) in the dogbane family ( Apocynaceae). It originally comes from South Africa and is now widespread in our homes. This is not least due to its beautiful leaves, the heart shape of which gave the plant its name. The leaves are gray-green with a white pattern and are arranged opposite on the long, ending shoots. For this reason, the String of Hearts is ideal for a traffic light pot, from which the shoots can hang down decoratively. When String of Hearts flowers, it produces pink, tubular buds reminiscent of candlesticks due to the darker colored appendage at the top. Ceropegia woodii is one of the succulents that store water in their plant organs and can thus survive longer periods of drought.
Location, soil and co. for Ceropegia woodii
The String of Hearts candlestick flower prefers a bright and warm place. However, direct sunlight should be avoided if possible. A room temperature of 20 to 25 °C is ideal, only below 15 °C does it slowly become too cold for the candlestick flower. The String of Hearts can also be colder during the rest phase in winter, but the temperature should not drop below 8 °C. The String of Hearts does not have any special requirements when it comes to humidity either, it feels at home in all rooms.
ThatThe substrate should definitely be loose and permeable. The String of Hearts also likes a certain amount of humus. A high-quality potting soil, such as our Plantura organic universal soil, is ideal here. It contains clay minerals that ensure good water balance in the substrate. By adding one part sand to two parts soil, you increase the permeability of the substrate and create ideal conditions for the candlestick flower. The planter should definitely have a drainage hole and the bottom should be covered with potsherds or stones so that no water can accumulate.
Tip: In summer, the String of Hearts can also be placed in a sheltered spot on the balcony or in the garden. Direct sunlight, especially at midday, should also be avoided here.
String of Hearts: Care
Due to the little effort involved in string of hearts care, the plant is perfect as an entry-level plant. Succulents are very forgiving and usually do not place high demands on their location. We'll show you what you still need to pay attention to.
Watering the String of Hearts: Like most succulents, the String of Hearts should not be watered excessively. The substrate may dry well in the meantime, then water should be given again. However, the root ball should never dry out completely. The plant generally needs more water, especially in very warm and bright locations and in the summer months. In winter it is sufficient to add a little water to the substrate every two weeks.
Fertilize String of Hearts: The String of Hearts needs some nutrients to grow. In the vegetation period, the shoots grow quickly, at this time regular fertilizer applications are recommended. A biological fertilizer is an environmentally friendly and sustainable choice. Our Plantura organic room and green plant fertilizer not only protects the environment, but also enriches soil life with the microorganisms it contains. The main nutrients nitrogen and potassium ensure he althy, green leaves and strong roots. It is best to add half the dose of the liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water every four weeks from April to September.
Pruning String of Hearts: The shoots of the candlestick flower can be cut off if necessary. This is best done in the spring when the growth phase begins. The String of Hearts will then begin to form new shoots. The cut off onesPlant parts can also be used for propagation.
Repot String of Hearts: When the substrate is fully rooted, it's time to repot. This should also be done in the spring, so that the plant can grow well into its new substrate. The fresh soil also supplies the candlestick flower with new nutrients that ensure a good start to the growing season.
The String of Hearts is getting yellow leaves: what can you do?
Depending on the causes of the yellow discoloration of the leaves, you can take different measures against it. Examples of possible triggers are:
- Excessive watering: The String of Hearts does not like waterlogging. Be sure to remove excess water from the saucer and only water when the substrate has dried. It is best to repot the plant in fresh soil now.
- Direct Sunlight: Too much direct sunlight can cause 'burns' and the plant will develop brown or yellow leaves. Then move the String of Hearts to a less sunny but bright spot.
Propagation of the String of Hearts: cuttings, tuberlets or cuttings?
To multiply the String of Hearts, two methods can be used. The simplest method is propagation via brood nodules. These are formed in the leaf axils of older specimens and can simply be picked off and sprinkled onto fresh substrate similar to that of the mother plant. The vessel should then be in a shady location at around 17 °C and the substrate should always be kept moist. A thin layer of sand on the substrate surface can help keep the nodules from rotting. However, since they germinate in the light, the sand should not cover the nodules.
Propagation via cuttings is also possible without any problems. It is best to cut the shoots in spring. They should be about 10 cm long. Then let the cuttings dry for a few days and remove the lower leaves. The shoots can then be stuck into moist substrate to form roots. This method also requires slightly cooler temperatures of around 17 °C. However, a lighter place is suitable for the cuttings than for the nodules.
Is Ceropegia woodii poisonous?
The String of Heartsbelongs to the dogbane family. Many members of this plant family are poisonous. Whether Ceropegia woodii is also poisonous has not been finally clarified. So far there are no signs of toxicity, but to be on the safe side, it is advisable not to let children or animals ingest the plant.
See our article on hanging succulents for the best way to show off the String of Hearts in a hanging basket.