String of hearts care guide

String of hearts trails long, thin strands of small, heart-shaped leaves marbled in green and silver. It is a semi-succulent, so it forgives a missed watering. Unlike string of pearls, it is safe for cats and dogs.

Light

Give it bright light with a few hours of gentle sun. Right in an east window is ideal. A spot near a south or west window works too.

In low light, the strands get thin and the hearts space far apart. More light keeps it full and brings out purple tones on the leaves.

Water

String of hearts stores water in its leaves and in small tubers under the soil. Water when the soil is dry almost all the way down. Water until it drains, then empty the saucer.

Soft, mushy, or yellow leaves mean too much water. Thin, wrinkled leaves mean it needs a drink. Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.

Soil and potting

Use cactus and succulent mix with extra perlite. A small terracotta pot with a drainage hole helps the soil dry out.

It likes a snug pot. Repot every two to three years in spring. The strands tangle, so handle it with care. See how to repot a houseplant step by step.

Humidity and temperature

Dry room air is fine. Keep it between 16 and 27°C (60 and 80°F).

Feeding

Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Skip fall and winter.

Pruning

Trim long or bare strands just above a leaf. Use the cuttings to fill in the pot.

To keep the top full, coil a few long strands back on top of the soil. They root where they touch.

Flowers

String of hearts grows small, pink and purple flowers shaped like tiny lanterns. They show up on healthy plants in good light, most often in summer and fall.

Propagation

String of hearts is one of the easiest plants to share.

• Water. Cut a strand with a few pairs of leaves. Set the bare nodes in water. Roots grow in two to three weeks.
• Soil. Lay a strand flat on damp cactus mix and pin it down. It roots at each node.
• Tubers. Small, round tubers grow along older vines. Press one onto damp soil, still attached or cut free. It roots and sprouts.

Problems

What you see	Most likely cause
Thin strands, hearts far apart	Not enough light
Bare top of the pot	Low light at the top. Coil strands back onto the soil.
Yellow, mushy leaves	Too much water
Wrinkled, thin leaves	Too dry
Leaves lose their silver pattern	Not enough light
Strands snap off	Rough handling. Root the pieces.

Pests

Mealybugs and aphids can show up along the strands. Fungus gnats mean the soil stays wet too long. Read how to get rid of fungus gnats in houseplants.

Pet safety

The ASPCA lists string of hearts, which it calls rosary vine, as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Cats love to bat the dangling strands, so hang it high if you want it to stay full.

Varieties

• Classic string of hearts has green and silver marbled leaves with purple undersides.
• Variegated string of hearts has leaves edged in cream and pink, with pink stems.
• ‘Silver Glory’ has silver leaves with a thin green edge.