Basic String of Hearts Care
The String of Hearts is one of our favourites as it can be relatively easy to care for, fits beautifully into any space and propagates easily! Here you will find our full String of Hearts care guide with all the information you need for your plant to thrive.
| Light |
Bright Direct LightI thrive in bright areas of your home so am best placed near a window. |
| Water |
Water InfrequentlyI can be quite sensitive to root rot so be careful not to overwater me. |
| Humidity |
Medium HumidityPlease make sure the air isn’t too dry, otherwise I won’t be a happy plant. |
| Soil |
Draining SoilI like a mix that includes peat moss and perlite as these prevent my roots from becoming water-logged. |
String of Hearts love sunlight
Your String of Hearts loves bright areas of your home. They can deal with a few hours of direct sunlight each day but prefer to be in a spot with indirect light so their leaves don’t burn. Your String of Hearts may struggle a little in the darker winter months so you might want to move them a little closer to the window during winter.
They don't like sitting in water
The String of Hearts is a type of succulent meaning that they don’t do so well in damp soil. When caring for a String of Hearts plant is very important that you let them dry out between waterings otherwise this will very quickly lead to root rot.
String of Hearts prefer average humidity
String of Hearts plants thrive best in 40-50% humidity which is what most households should be naturally. This means you don’t need to worry about misting or increasing humidity levels for your String of Hearts which makes them a pretty easy plant to take care of. Read our houseplants guide to humidity if you want to find out more.
String of Hearts plants prefer warmer temperatures
When caring for a String of Hearts plant, we recommend keeping it in a slightly warmer area of your home. They don’t do so well in cooler temperatures so make sure your plant isn’t sat next to drafty windows or doors.
String of Hearts plants are easy to propagate.
The String of Hearts may just be one of the easiest plants to propagate. Cut off a piece of the vine just above the node (where two heart leaves are) and place in water or soil. Roots should grow within a few weeks! We have written a whole guide on how to propagate your String of Hearts if you want to know more.
String of Hearts don't need regular fertilisation
To encourage new growth on your String of Hearts, you may want to give it some fertiliser. However, make sure you only feed it once a month during the growth periods of Spring and Summer, and not at all during winter. We also recommend fertilising your String of Hearts at half-strength.
Only ever repot during the growth period
String of Hearts plants don’t need constant repotting as their roots are delicate and won’t become root bound very often. If you do want to repot your String of Hearts, try to only do it during the growth months of Spring and Summer as this will minimise shock.
Don't worry about pruning your String of Hearts
String of Hearts plants don’t need to be pruned like other houseplants. As long as you cut off the odd dead stem, and propagate cuttings if it gets too long for your space, there isn’t really any need for pruning your String of Hearts. Just another reason why String of Hearts are so easy to care for!
String of Hearts plants are safe for pets
Another reason why we love the String of Hearts plant is because they are non-toxic to pets and humans. This means you don’t need to worry about putting it out of reach of your furry friends or children.
Do String of Hearts plants like to be root bound?
Yes, String of Hearts plants actually prefer their roots to be a little crowded and root bound. This means that they don’t actually need to be repotted for at least a year, sometimes two.
When your String of Hearts becomes a little too root bound, then it’s time to repot into a slightly larger pot.
String of Hearts FAQs
Quick and simple answers to the most common questions we see about the String of Hearts.
Is the String of Hearts toxic?
String of Hearts are non-toxic to pets and humans which is a relief as they can often hang in reach of pets and children.
How fast does the String of Hearts grow?
String of Hearts plants are quite fast growers and in the growth period of spring and summer, you should see new leaves growing at the end of the vines all the time.
How much sun does the String of Hearts need?
Your String of Hearts loves bright areas of your home. They can deal with a few hours of direct sunlight each day but prefer to be in a spot with indirect light so their leaves don’t burn.
How often should I water my String of Hearts?
The String of Hearts is a type of succulent meaning that they don’t do so well in damp soil. At most, you want to be watering your String of Hearts once a week during the height of summer and much less during the colder darker months. Monitor the soil moisture and adjust your watering schedule moving forward.
Common Problems with your String of Hearts
Here are some common issues that you might run into. It's important to diagnose any issues early to give your plant the best chance of bouncing back.
Why is my String of Hearts very leggy?
Large gaps between the leaves on your String of Hearts tends to suggest the plant isn’t getting enough light so try and move it to a sunnier spot.
Why are my String of Hearts' leaves very light in colour?
If you notice the leaves on your String of Hearts plant are losing their colour it is often due to a lack of or too much sunlight. Try to move your String of Hearts to a different spot in order for it to regain more colour to its leaves.
Why are my String of Hearts' leaves turning yellow?
Yellow leaves on a String of Hearts plant is usually due to one of two things; overwatering or cold temperatures. As this is quite a common issue, we have written a more detailed guide on yellowing leaves here.
Why are the leaves on my String of Hearts turning mushy?
If your String of Hearts is turning slightly mushy it is probably down to overwatering and consequent root rot. Check out our guide to root rot to help your String of Hearts recover.
