Plant library · Succulents & Cacti
Ceropegia woodii
String of Hearts is a perennial succulent grown for its fine, trailing vines and small heart-shaped leaves. Its 3-foot height and 3-foot spread describe a plant that occupies space vertically as well as across the rim of its container. Use it where its cascading outline can remain visible rather than being lost among dense, upright foliage.
Place String of Hearts in a hanging basket, on a high shelf, or near the outer edge of a planter so the vines can fall freely without crossing a walkway or catching on seating. A small trellis also gives the stems a contained vertical route when a trailing display is impractical. Keep the container close enough to reach for watering and occasional stem guidance, but leave the drop zone below the plant clear.[1]
When grouping plants, set String of Hearts 12 inches apart, center to center. That planting distance establishes the root-zone rhythm, not the full visual reach of the vines: allow up to 3 feet of open width and a similar hanging or trained length for a mature plant. In a mixed container, position it at the edge and reserve the center for plants that will not cover its trailing stems.
Give it bright, indirect or filtered light, rather than strong direct sun. Use a fast-draining, sandy potting mix and let it dry completely between waterings. This low-water routine makes a container with drainage essential; avoid placing it in a decorative cachepot or tightly packed planting where excess water can remain around the roots.[1][2]
Small tubular flowers can appear from summer into fall, adding detail along the vines without changing the plant’s compact container role. Growth slows in winter, so reduce watering and keep the plant’s allotted shelf, basket, or trellis space available year-round rather than replacing it with a seasonal display.[1][2]
String of Hearts is suitable outdoors only in USDA Zones 10 through 12; elsewhere, plan it as a protected indoor or seasonal container plant. Too much direct sun can scorch the foliage, while persistently wet conditions can lead to rot. Keep trailing stems away from traffic routes, since their fine growth is easiest to damage where people pass or where doors and windows are used regularly.[1][2]
Editorial content updated 2026-07-20.