How to Grow a Variegated String of Hearts and Keep It Thriving

Some houseplants, like the variegated string of hearts, (Cecropegia woodii var.), are as much fun to grow as they are decorative. These tropical vines put out showy chains of pink-and-green variegated, heart-shaped leaves on vines that can grow up to 13 feet long. Vines can even produce small pink trumpet-shaped flowers all spring and summer to complement the pink and green foliage.

Display variegated string of hearts in hanging baskets, draped around doors and archways in locations that receive plenty of bright indirect light.

Variegated String of Hearts Care

If you've grown other string plants like string of pearls or plain string of hearts, you have a head start knowing how to care for variegated string of hearts. These types of plants are usually succulent or semi-succulent with a trailing growth pattern. They aren't too fussy about soil, temperature or fertilizer but it is important to get watering and light exposure correct.

Light

Variegated string of hearts needs a minimum 4 to 6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight daily. A south- or west-facing window is an ideal location. If you don't have window space, grow lights can help you achieve the striking pink and green foliage.

The right type and amount of light exposure is key to achieving the rich pink color variegation for this string of hearts foliage. It can withstand some direct sunlight, but too much results in scorched foliage. Not enough light causes the foliage to revert to fully green leaves.

If you move your plants outdoors during the summer growing season avoid leaf scorch by giving them some protection from hot afternoon sun.

Soil

Cactus and succulent mixes are good growing mediums for variegated string of hearts. Potting mix needs to be light and drain well. Coco coir and perlite added to regular potting soil also works.

These plants prefer acidic soil in a pH range of 4 to 6.5.

Water

Variegated string of hearts can be watered usually just once or twice a week during the spring and summer months, after the soil has dried out almost completely. It holds water in its leaves so it's not always necessary to water even when the top of the soil feels dry.

Cut back to once every two weeks during the winter months.

Temperature and Humidity

Variegated string of hearts grows best in temperatures between 65°F and 80°F. which makes it ideal for the typical household environment. Do not expose your variegated string of hearts to temperatures below 41°F.

Humidity of 40% to 50% provides the right amount of moisture in the air.

Fertilizer

Variegated string of hearts does not require much fertilizer. You can increase blooms by feeding your plant once or twice during the growing season with an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer.

String of Hearts vs. Variegated String of Hearts

The difference between string of hearts and variegated string of hearts is in the coloration of the leaves. Variegated string of hearts has much more vibrant pink leaves with green in the center. Regular string of hearts leaves are dark green with lighter green veins and may have some light red, pink or purple coloration along the underside edges.

The shape of the leaves of both types is similar, and the vines of both types are red to purplish in color. Variegated string of hearts usually shows more vibrant color in both the vines and flowers. Flowers on both types are tubular in shape with pink to purple fused petals and bloom incrementally along the vines.

Variegated string of hearts is rare and more difficult to find. It's also trickier to learn and establish the correct amount and type of light needed to maintain the pink variegation in the foliage.

Both plants have similar care needs.

Types of 'String' Plants

Several cultivars of Ceropegia woodii exist with slight variations in foliage color and/or leaf shape. A number of other vining "string of" type plants are also popular with home growers.A common characteristic of all string plants is the even spacing between leaves and flowers along the vines. Plants with blank spaces or that lack this uniform look are usually the result of a maintenance error like insufficient light or overwatering.

Here are some of the other common types of string-of plants:

• String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus): Leaves are rounded green balls resembling pearls. Although dwarfed by the leaves and often overlooked, string of pearls can produce small white fluffy blooms in summer in the right conditions
• Strings of Arrows (Ceropegia linearis ssp. woodii): Leaves are green with silver veining and distinctive tips resembling arrow points. This plant is notable for its pink or purplish trumpet-shaped flowers in spring and summer.
• String of Needles (Ceropegia linearis): Features long, narrow, dark green leaves that resemble sewing needles.
• String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata): This Brazilian rainforest native features trailing vines with uniform rounded green foliage that resembles turtle shells.
• String of Frogs (Ficus pumila 'Quercifolia'): Foliage on this vining plant grows much more closely together forming a matted look. Leaves are bright green and said to resemble frogs.
• String of Bananas (Senecia radicans): Similar to string of pearls, this string plant has a more rapid growth habit and is easier to maintain. Bright green leaves are shaped like bananas.

How to Increase Variegation on String of Hearts

A greater amount of sunlight is essential to maintaining the vibrant pink coloring in your variegated string of hearts plant. You don't want to scorch the foliage by exposing it to extended amounts of bright, direct sunlight. However, the more bright, indirect light you can give your plant, the better your chance of achieving the desired striking variegation in the leaves.

Grow lights can help you get the right lighting if you don't have suitable natural light.

Propagating Variegated String of Hearts

String of hearts propagate easily from cuttings. If you get flowers, aerial tubers will replace them as they faded, and those can be removed and replanted as cuttings. Gather together 4- to 6-inch pots, cactus or succulent potting mix, and a snipper or small hand clipper and follow these directions.

Propagating in Soil

1. Remove a section of vine with aerial tubers. You may be able to get several cuttings from one section of vine.
2. Fill pots with slightly moistened potting mix.
3. Place a section of vine with a tuber on top of the soil in the pot.
4. You can cover the cutting with a light dusting of potting soil, though it's not necessary to do so.
5. Place the pot(s) in a warm location that receives indirect light. Roots form in about one month.

Propagating in Water

String of hearts cuttings can also be rooted in water.

1. Remove leaves from the lower portion of a 4- to 6-inch cutting.
2. Place the cutting in a glass filled with enough clean water to cover the leaf nodes.
3. Give the cutting(s) warm temperatures and bright indirect light, changing the water once a week until roots form.
4. Once roots are several inches long, the cuttings can be potted in succulent mix.

Potting & Repotting Variegated String of Hearts

Variegated string of hearts plants should be repotted every several years or more often if you start to see roots grow out of the pot drainage holes. Move the plant into fresh potting mix in a container one inch in diameter larger than its current pot.

The best time to repot is in late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing.

Common Problems With Variegated String of Hearts

Most problems are the result of maintenance errors with lighting and watering.

Large Spaces Between Leaves

If you have large spaces between the leaves on your variegated string of hearts, the plant is not getting enough light. Try relocating in a south- or west-facing window that receives at least 4 hours of bright indirect light daily.

Fading Variegation

Fading variegation is also the result of insufficient amounts of the correct type of light. Too much bright, direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. Not enough bright indirect light causes foliage to lose its pink variegation and revert to the dark green color of regular string of hearts. Try relocating to a space that receives more light daily or add a grow light to your plant's current location.

Yellowing or Wilted Leaves

Yellowing variegated string of hearts leaves indicate overwatering. Allow soil to dry out between waterings. Wilted foliage indicates your plant needs more water.

From: thespruce