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Are you looking for a fast growing heart shaped trailing plant? String of Hearts is one of my fastest growing plants. It’s not my easiest plant, but I also haven’t killed it either, so there’s that.
Main things to know to care for String of Hearts.
- Water. Soil should dry out before watering again. Sign that the plant needs water when the heart shaped leaves start to shrivel up.
- Light. Needs bright indirect sunlight (south or west facing window) and can also be placed under plant grow lights.
- Fertilizer. Feed a high quality fertilize every watering, every other watering, or monthly.
- Humidity. Thrives in regular household humidity, no special humidity requirements.
String of Hearts thrive with these plant care tips.
Light
String of Hearts thrives in bright sunlight like a south facing window. South facing windows get the brightest, longest amount of sunlight throughout the day. If you place your plant on a south facing window, make sure there’s some kind of sheer barrier between the plant and window because direct sunlight can scorch String of Hearts.
You can also place this plant near a west or east facing window. These windows get less light than a south facing window and you may notice slower growth, but it’s still a good spot for this plant.
If you’re not sure which direction your windows are facing, use a free compass app on your phone to figure out the directions. This is important to know and really helpful if you’re a houseplant parent.
You can also take advantage of plant grow lights like T5 Barrina grow lights. I actually use these for my String of Hearts. Setting up these lights is simple and allows you to grow plants in areas of your home that receives no natural sunlight. I use this plant grow lights for 2 greenhouse cabinets and 1 shelving system.
Water
String of Hearts need a good drink when the soil dries out. You can figure out if the soil dries out by sticking your finger in about two inches deep or by using a moisture meter.
Most people will only need to water their String of Hearts once every 10 days, but every plant is different so it’s important to check the plants soil.
Once you have your plant for awhile, you’ll have a better idea of when to water your plant without even having to check the soil every single time.
Another telltale sign to water String of Hearts is when the heart-shaped leaves started to thin out or shrivel up.
Soil
String of Hearts needs well-draining soil in order to grow properly and not die from root rot. Compact, dense soil, especially with String of Hearts, can easily lead to root rot. It’s crucial that this plant is sitting in well-draining soil or else you’ll run into problems pretty quickly.
A simple soil recipe is 50% coco coir, 25% perlite, and 25% worm castings. An even easier potting mix is 2 parts coco coir to 1 part perlite.
If you don’t want to make your own soil, you can buy pre-made soil like Fox Farm Ocean Forest potting soil. This potting mix contains a blend of earthworm castings, crab meal, forest humus, moss, and more. These ingredients encourage strong branching and a healthy growth habit.
Temperature
String of Hearts do well in any home that is between temperatures of 60 degrees F to 90 degrees (15 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius). These plants prefer the warmer side of things and it helps the plant grow and possibly even bloom in the home. These bloom all the time in my home.
Fertilizer
Plants need fertilizer, especially when they’re growing in your home because they aren’t getting the nutrients they need. Fertilize promotes healthy growth and blooms in the home. If you want larger, fuller looking plants, you need to use fertilizer.
I fertilizer all of my plants with a mixture of Liqui-Dirt and Dyna Gro. Every time I water my plants, they get fed a mixture of my favorite plant food and fertilizer. My plants grow like crazy in my home (and some even bloom) and I believe it’s because of this mixture of fertilizer and plant food.
Humidity
String of Hearts is a succulent and does not require any special humidity. This plant thrives in regular household humidity.
Propagation
String of Hearts can be propagated via stem cutting, leaf cutting, or division.
Stem cutting propagation: Take several stem cuttings and insert the cuttings into water or soil. Keep the soil moist. In a few weeks you’ll notice roots and then you can move your plant to the preferred substrate.
Leaf cutting: With clean cutting sheers, cut a leaf cutting and gently insert into moist soil. Take several leaf cuttings to increase your chances of propagation success.
Division: Separate plant via division to create more plants. Split up the plants in the pot and move them to different pots to create more plants.
String of Hearts Common Questions
Is String of Hearts rare?
String of Hearts is not a rare houseplant. I bought mine from Home Depot as you can see below.
How much is a String of Hearts?
A 4 pot of String of Hearts goes for around $13 at a big box store, but this price can vary depending on where you purchase it. A variegated version of String of Hearts is much more expensive.
How do you care for String of Hearts?
Make sure to place String of Hearts in a spot getting a good amount of sunlight throughout the day. Water once the soil dries out and make sure to fertilize during the active growing season.
Do you water String of Hearts from top or bottom?
Many people like to water String of Hearts from the bottom so that the plant only takes the water it needs. I prefer to top water just because it’s more convenient for me. What you decide is up to you and there are benefits to either method.
Is String of Hearts hard to care for?
String of Hearts is a fairly simple plant to take care of, but knowing when to water can be tricky. This plant has very sensitive roots and is prone to root rot, which is why it needs well-draining soil.
Is String of Hearts a fast grower?
String of Hearts is a crazy fast grower if placed in bright light conditions and fertilized regularly. This is one of my fastest growing houseplants.
How big do String of Hearts get?
String of Hearts can get up to 12 feet tall in the home. I bought my String of Hearts when it was barely coming out of the pot and now it’s almost 5 feet long.
Is String of Hearts also a Hoya Curtisii?
String of Hearts is not the same as Hoya Curtisii. These plants look quite similar but come from completely different families.
Can I water my plant using tap water?
Depending on where you live, you may not want to water your plant using tap water. For example. I live in an area where I don’t water any of my plants with tap water. I use a reverse osmosis machine and use that for my drinking water and for the plants drinking water.
Is String of Hearts toxic to pets?
No, this plant is not toxic to pets. You can get more information on toxic and pet-friendly plants at ASPCA here.
Common pests
String of Hearts can get pest pressures just like any other houseplant. It’s important to stay on top of pest pressures because pests can really damage your plant.
Prevent pest infestations on your plant with these tips.
- Inspect your plant before purchasing. If you’re buying a plant online, inspect your plant away from your other plants.
- Quarantine your new plant for two weeks and keep away from other plants.
- When bringing a plant home, treat it with natural or synthetic pest preventative.
- Regularly check your plants for pests. This is also a great time to clean your plants with a mixture of soap and water.
- Cut off dead or rotted leaves.
If you ever find pests on your String of Hearts, quarantine the plant away from your other houseplants. Remember that not all pests are bad pests and some pests may even be beneficial for your plant.
You can spray neem oil to get rid of pests or you can use rubbing alcohol to wipe away mealybugs. Use a cotton swop dipped in rubbing alcohol and wipe away bugs and larvae.
Make sure to check all of your other plants as it is easy for pests to spread.
I also recommend Bonide Systemic Granules to prevent pests, particularly gnats.
Common issues
Brown leaves: If your String of Hearts foliage is turning brown, this may mean your plant is receiving too much sunlight. Make sure the plant is never sitting in direct sunlight.
Yellowing leaves: If your String of Hearts has yellowing leaves, this is a sign your plant is getting too much water. Make sure you only water once the soil completely dries out.
Shriveled leaves: If your String of Hearts looks shriveled up, this means your plant is ready for a good drink of water.
Key Points To Remember
String of Hearts is a fairly simple plant to take care of once you get the watering schedule down. I love this plant because it’s fast growing and creates the most beautiful heart shaped leaves. This makes for a great Valentine’s Day gift!
Main care tips to remember:
- Place in a spot getting bright indirect sunlight or under plant grow lights
- Water when the soil completely dries out or when the leaves start to shrivel up
- Fertilize during the active growing season which is typically March through October.
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