String of hearts (Ceropegia woodii, also classified as Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii) is a trailing succulent vine with small, silver-marbled, heart-shaped leaves on thread-thin stems. UW-Madison Extension says it is native to southern Africa, from Zimbabwe to eastern South Africa, with leaves only 1/2 to 3/4 inch across. Its other name, rosary vine, comes from the bead-like tubers that form along the stems. This guide covers string of hearts care indoors: light, watering, soil, feeding, string of hearts care in winter, string of hearts propagation from tubers and cuttings, and problems, following UW-Madison (2026), NC State Extension and the RHS.
String of Hearts Care at a Glance
| Need | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Light | West or south window (UW-Madison); bright, indirect light (NC State); west or east aspect, partial shade (RHS) |
| Water | Only when the mix is dry (UW-Madison); let it dry out completely between waterings (NC State) |
| Soil | Cactus and succulent mix or extra perlite (UW-Madison); cactus compost (RHS) |
| Feeding | At most monthly at half strength while growing (UW-Madison); a low-nitrogen liquid feed 2 or 3 times (RHS) |
| Winter | Keep above 60°F, water less, no feeding (UW-Madison) |
| Size | Stems trail about 3 feet in pots (NC State); 1 m or more (RHS) |
| Propagation | Tubers pressed into soil, stem cuttings, layering, seed (UW-Madison, NC State, RHS) |
Sources: UW-Madison Extension (2026); NC State Extension Plant Toolbox; RHS.
Light
The sources agree it needs good light but differ on how much sun. UW-Madison recommends a west- or south-facing window and says strong light produces darker leaves. NC State prefers bright, indirect sunlight and warns that too much sun scorches the leaves, while the RHS lists a west or east aspect in partial shade.
NC State gives a useful sign of too little light: large gaps between the leaves along the stems. If your plant looks sparse and stringy, move it to a brighter spot. If you put it outdoors for summer, UW-Madison says to acclimate it gradually to avoid sunburn and bring it in before the first frost. A grow light helps in dark winters.
Watering and Soil
UW-Madison says string of hearts is easily killed by overwatering: water only when the growing medium is dry, then water deeply. NC State says to let the soil dry out completely between waterings. As a succulent, it stores water in its leaves and in its tubers, which UW-Madison says can grow to fill a pot.
- Mix: a cacti and succulent mix, or a standard mix with extra perlite (UW-Madison); cactus compost (RHS); NC State says well-drained, sandy potting soil.
- Pot: always with drainage holes. In a hanging pot, check that water can drain freely.
- Signs: NC State says overwatering causes root rot and yellowing leaves, and underwatering causes wilting.
For other trailing succulents with the same rules, see our string of pearls care guide and how to grow succulents.
Feeding and Repotting
UW-Madison suggests fertilizing at most once a month while the plant is actively growing, with houseplant fertilizer at half strength, and not at all during its winter rest. The RHS suggests a low-nitrogen liquid fertilizer applied two or three times. Either way, feed lightly.
UW-Madison says string of hearts does best when crowded, so repot only when necessary, ideally in spring before new growth starts. See our guide on how to repot a plant.
String of Hearts Care in Winter
String of hearts rests in winter. UW-Madison recommends keeping it above 60°F, reducing watering and stopping fertilizer until spring. NC State also says to reduce watering further during winter dormancy. The RHS warns that basal rot can strike if the plant is too wet in winter, and rates it H1C, meaning it can only go outside in summer.
- Keep it in the brightest spot you have, since winter light is weaker.
- Water less often, only when the mix is fully dry.
- No fertilizer until growth resumes in spring.
- Keep it away from cold windows and drafts.
For general cold-season advice, see our winter houseplant care guide.
String of Hearts Propagation
String of hearts is easy to multiply because its stems root wherever they touch soil (NC State). There are three common methods:
| Method | How | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tubers (beads) | Press a tuber, ideally still attached to the vine, into the soil of a nearby pot; keep the mix moist but not wet; cut it free once rooted | UW-Madison |
| Layering | Lay a stem on the soil surface; it roots where it touches the soil | NC State |
| Stem cuttings | Take 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inch) cuttings in early summer and root them in cactus compost at 22 to 25°C (72 to 77°F), kept moist | RHS; UW-Madison says cuttings root best with bottom heat |
| Seed | Sow at 19 to 24°C (66 to 75°F) in early spring | RHS |
Sources: UW-Madison Extension; NC State Extension; RHS.
With tuber layering, the new plant stays attached to the parent until it has rooted (UW-Madison). Several rooted pieces can go back into the same pot to make it fuller. If a cutting in water turns soft, see our guide to cuttings rotting in water.
Flowers and Variegated Forms
UW-Madison says string of hearts blooms mainly in summer and fall, with occasional flowers at other times. The flowers are about an inch long, tubular, white to pale magenta with purple petals fused at the tips; NC State notes the plant is not carnivorous even though small insects sometimes get trapped in the tubes. UW-Madison mentions a variegated form, C. woodii f. variegata, with cream and pink variegated leaves, and notes that few cultivars exist.
Problems and Pests
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowing leaves, mushy stems at the base | Overwatering and root rot (NC State, UW-Madison); basal rot when too wet in winter (RHS) | Let the mix dry fully; take healthy cuttings if the base is rotting |
| Wilting, shriveled leaves, dry mix | Underwatering (NC State) | Water deeply, then let it dry again |
| Long gaps between leaves | Too little light (NC State) | Move to brighter light |
| Scorched or bleached leaves | Too much direct sun (NC State) | Filter the light or move back from the window |
| Cottony clusters along stems | Mealybugs (UW-Madison, NC State, RHS) | See our guide on how to get rid of mealybugs |
| Clusters of small soft insects | Aphids (NC State, RHS) | See our aphid guide |
| Hard bumps on stems | Scale (NC State, RHS) | See our scale guide |
Sources: NC State Extension; UW-Madison Extension; RHS.
Is String of Hearts Safe for Pets?
The ASPCA’s cat and dog plant lists have no entry for Ceropegia woodii (string of hearts or rosary vine), and the NC State, UW-Madison and RHS pages we used do not address toxicity. So we can’t give a sourced safety rating. The ASPCA notes that eating any plant material can cause vomiting and stomach upset in pets, and a trailing vine is easy for cats to reach, so hang it out of reach. For plants with a confirmed rating, see our lists of cat-safe plants and plants safe for dogs; our peperomia care guide covers trailing peperomias that the ASPCA lists as non-toxic.
For other succulents, see our guides to ponytail palm care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I water string of hearts?
Only when the mix is dry. UW-Madison says to water deeply and let it dry between waterings, and NC State says to let the soil dry out completely; water even less in winter.
Does string of hearts need direct sun?
Sources differ. UW-Madison suggests a west or south window and says strong light darkens the leaves; NC State prefers bright, indirect light because too much sun scorches them. Bright light with some protection from hot midday sun covers both.
How do you propagate string of hearts?
Press a bead-like tuber, still attached to the vine, into moist (not wet) mix and cut it free once rooted (UW-Madison), or root 10 to 15 cm stem cuttings in cactus compost in early summer (RHS). Stems also root wherever they touch soil (NC State).
Why is my string of hearts leggy?
Long gaps between leaves are a sign of too little light (NC State). Move it somewhere brighter and trim and replant straggly stems.
How do I care for string of hearts in winter?
Keep it above 60°F, water less and don’t fertilize (UW-Madison). The RHS warns that it can rot at the base if kept too wet in winter.
What are the beads on string of hearts?
They are aerial tubers that form at the nodes along the stems, which is why the plant is also called rosary vine. UW-Madison and NC State say they root easily when pressed into soil.
Is string of hearts toxic to cats?
The ASPCA has no entry for it, and the extension sources we used don’t address toxicity, so there is no sourced rating. Keep it out of reach of pets that chew plants.