About String of Hearts
A delicate trailing succulent-vine with thin, wiry stems bearing pairs of small, heart-shaped leaves marbled in silver and green with purple undersides. It develops a swollen tuberous caudex at the base and produces small aerial tubers along the stems. Cascading strands can trail over a meter long, creating an ethereal curtain of tiny hearts — one of the most romantic-looking plants in any collection. String of Hearts belongs to the Apocynaceae family and originates from South Africa, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe; grows in rocky outcrops and among other vegetation..
String of Hearts is one of the most beloved trailing plants among Filipino plant collectors, especially popular for Valentine's Day gifts and wedding plant favors. The variegated pink form is highly coveted and commands premium prices. Widely available from online sellers on Shopee, Lazada, and Instagram plant shops. In Philippine homes, it's commonly displayed in hanging pots on covered balconies, trailing from high shelves, or cascading from macrame hangers near windows. The main care consideration is avoiding overwatering — the caudex stores water, so it needs less frequent watering than most trailing plants. Handles Philippine humidity reasonably well with good airflow.
Also known as: Chain of Hearts, Sweetheart Vine.
Popular Varieties
- Ceropegia woodii (classic silver-marbled green with purple reverse)
- Ceropegia woodii 'Silver Glory' (heavily silver-marked — almost fully silver leaves)
- Ceropegia woodii f. variegata (pink, cream, and green variegation — highly sought after)
- Ceropegia woodii 'Orange River' (larger leaves, more green)
How to Plant String of Hearts in the Philippines
String of Hearts can be propagated through stem cuttings, aerial tubers, butterfly method. The recommended method is aerial tubers or the butterfly method (split a single node with 2 leaves and lay on soil).
Propagation Steps
- Step 1: Locate aerial tubers (small round nodules) along the trailing stems.
- Step 2: Cut a section with a tuber and a few leaf pairs.
- Step 3: Press the tuber gently into moist succulent mix while leaves remain above soil.
- Step 4: Alternatively, lay a section of stem with nodes on moist soil and pin down with bobby pins.
- Step 5: Keep in bright indirect light, mist lightly. Roots from tubers or nodes in 2-3 weeks.
Care Guide
Sunlight
Bright indirect light to a few hours of morning sun. Stronger light brings out the silver marbling and deeper purple undersides.. Position your string of hearts where it receives the right amount of light for healthy growth in Philippine conditions.
Water
Allow soil to dry completely between waterings. The tuberous root stores water, making it more drought-tolerant than it looks. Water every 10-14 days in dry season, less in rainy months. Adjust frequency during the Philippine rainy season when humidity is higher and soil stays moist longer.
Temperature & Humidity
Ideal temperature range: 18-30°C (handles Philippine temperatures if kept in bright shade). Tolerates moderate humidity — better suited to PH conditions than many trailing succulents. Good airflow prevents issues. The warm, humid Philippine climate is well-suited for growing string of hearts outdoors or indoors.
Fertilizer
Light feeder. Diluted balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during growing season. Too much fertilizer produces lanky growth with smaller hearts.
Pruning
Trim to control length and encourage bushier growth. Wrap long strands back onto the pot surface and pin down — they'll root at the nodes and fill in the top.
Toxicity & Safety
Non-toxic to humans and pets. Safe for all households.
Common Problems & Solutions
Long gaps between leaf pairs (sparse look)
Cause: Insufficient light causing etiolation
Solution: Move to brighter location. The plant naturally has spaced leaves, but large gaps indicate low light. New growth will be more compact.
Tuber/caudex rot
Cause: Overwatering causing the tuberous root base to rot
Solution: Reduce watering immediately. If caudex is mushy, trim to healthy tissue and let dry. Replant in very gritty mix. Consider using a smaller pot.
Leaves losing silver variegation
Cause: Too little light
Solution: Increase light exposure gradually. Silver patterning and purple undersides intensify with brighter conditions.
Yellowing leaves
Cause: Overwatering or nutrient deficiency
Solution: Check soil moisture — if wet, reduce watering. If soil is appropriate, apply light feeding with balanced fertilizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you care for String of Hearts in the Philippines?
String of Hearts needs bright indirect light to a few hours of morning sun. stronger light brings out the silver marbling and deeper purple undersides.. Water allow soil to dry completely between waterings. the tuberous root stores water, making it more drought-tolerant than it looks. water every 10-14 days in dry season, less in rainy months.. Feed with light feeder. diluted balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during growing season. too much fertilizer produces lanky growth with smaller hearts.. The Philippine climate with temperatures of 18-30°C (handles Philippine temperatures if kept in bright shade) works well for this plant.
How do you propagate String of Hearts?
The recommended method is aerial tubers or the butterfly method (split a single node with 2 leaves and lay on soil). Locate aerial tubers (small round nodules) along the trailing stems. Cut a section with a tuber and a few leaf pairs.
Is String of Hearts toxic to pets or children?
Non-toxic to humans and pets. Safe for all households.
Can String of Hearts grow in containers in the Philippines?
Yes, String of Hearts grows well in containers and is suitable for balcony and indoor gardening in Metro Manila condos and apartments. Use a pot with drainage holes and appropriate potting mix.
What are common problems when growing String of Hearts?
Common issues include: Long gaps between leaf pairs (sparse look) (caused by insufficient light causing etiolation — move to brighter location. the plant naturally has spaced leaves, but large gaps indicate low light. new growth will be more compact); Tuber/caudex rot (caused by overwatering causing the tuberous root base to rot — reduce watering immediately. if caudex is mushy, trim to healthy tissue and let dry. replant in very gritty mix. consider using a smaller pot); Leaves losing silver variegation (caused by too little light — increase light exposure gradually. silver patterning and purple undersides intensify with brighter conditions).
Growing string of hearts in Manila? Tag us @urbangoesgreen on TikTok and show us your garden!