Ceropegia woodii (String of Hearts)

Botanical & Common Names
- Botanical name: Ceropegia woodii
- Common names: String of Hearts

Background & Origin
Ceropegia woodii, commonly known as String of Hearts, is a trailing succulent vine native to Natal, South Africa. It is admired for its long, wiry stems that can exceed 60 cm and delicate, heart-shaped leaves in dark green with silvery patterns. In its natural habitat, it grows creeping over rocks and shrubs, and under the right conditions, it produces small, tubular purple flowers along its stems. Its charming trailing habit makes it perfect for shelves, hanging baskets, or macramé displays.

Care Level
- Care level: Easy
- Suitable for beginners: Yes

What It Loves
- Bright warm spot
- Letting the compost dry out

What It Dislikes
- Overwatering or sitting in soggy soil
- Dark spots will cause legginess

Best Rooms for This Plant
- Bedroom
- Living room
- Office
- Conservatory

Growth Potential
- Typical height indoors: 2-4 m in length
- Typical spread: 10-20 cm wide
- Growth rate: Slow growing
- Pruning required: Occasional, to remove dead leaves

Is This Plant Right for You?
This plant is a great choice if you:
- Love trailing, delicate vines
- Want heart-shaped leaves
- Enjoy plants perfect for shelves or hangers

Light
- Best light: Bright warm spot with some direct sunlight
- Avoid: dark shady spot

Watering
- Frequency: Water when soil is completely dry,
- Seasonal note: Reduce watering in winter when growth slows to almost none.

Humidity
- Prefers: No humidity
- Extra humidity helpful?: These plants prefer arid conditions and do not require humidity.

Feeding
- Feed with: A balanced houseplant fertiliser
- Frequency: Once or twice during growing season during spring and summer. No feeding is needed during autumn and winter.

Toxicity
- Pet safe: Yes
- Notes: Keep out of reach of pets and small children to avoid leaf damage.

Repotting
- How often: Once a year
- Signs it’s needed: Roots growing out of the drainage holes, slower growth, or soil drying very quickly. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the current one to avoid overwatering.