Complement your houseplant collection with Variegated String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii variegata) that will delight you with its enchanting flowers and heart-shaped leaves.
This vine plant originates from Australia, Africa and southern Asia and comes from the family Apocynaceae.
The purple-toned stems of this succulent plant can grow 3 to 9 feet (91 cm to 2.74 m). What fascinates are the heart-shaped greenish-white leaves with pink color on the edges.
Are you ready to get to know this low-maintenance beauty in more detail?
Variegated String of Hearts Basics
Classification
- Clade: Tracheophytes
- Order: Gentianales
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Genus: Ceropegia
- Species: C. woodii
- Binomial name: Ceropegia woodii variegata
Let’s take a closer look at Genus Ceropegia.
It is known that Carl Linnaeus studied these plants and in 1753 named this species as Ceropegia Candelabrum. The meaning of the word candelabrum in Latin includes: candlestick, a chandelier, a branched candlestick, lamp-stand or also candelabrum.
Common names for Ceropegia species are necklace vine, parasol flower, string of hearts, wine-glass vine, lantern flower, parachute flower, and also snake creeper.
The leaves and roots of some species are eaten raw in Africa.
Leaves
The leaves of Variegated String of Hearts are the ones that take your breath away with their beauty. They are heart-shaped green or white. Near their edges is a pink variegation.
The leaves descend down the long dandy stem, so it looks best in hanging baskets.
Variegated String of Hearts Lighting Needs
Your plant needs indirect bright light, on average about 4 hours a day. This has a beneficial effect on the manifestation of the variegation of its leaves.
A south or west facing window is the best place for your plant.
A clear sign that your plant is lacking light are larger gaps in the leaves and also leaves pale in color. In that case, move your String of Hearts to a sunnier place. In addition, do not expose the plant to direct, strong sunlight as this will destroy its delicate foliage.
It is recommended that whenever you water the plant, rotate the pot so that each part of Variegated String of hearts receives an equal amount of light.
The variegated variation of the plant requires brighter light than the ordinary, green variant. In this way, this leaf variegation is maintained.
How to Properly Water the Variegated String of Hearts
It is common to water Variegated String of Hearts once or twice a week during the summer. However, in winter, when the plant is dormant, watering should be reduced to once every two weeks.
When watering, water it well. The rest of the water should pass through the drainage holes on the pot. Note that the plant must not sit in water to avoid root rot.
The soil should be dry before the next watering.
Two problems can occur when watering your plant: overwatering and underwatering.
In conclusion, Variegated String of Hearts is a vine plant that wins the hearts of many plant lovers with its variegated leaves and beautiful flowers. Easy to maintain will be an ideal decor wherever you put it.
If you want a plant that will leave you breathless due to its beauty and at the same time enrich your living space, then this is Variegated String of Hearts.
Hi Ana,
Thanks for your post on variegated string of hearts care!
Even thought the information is seemingly straightforward, it’s also so simple to get it wrong. Even things like reducing the watering frequency in winter compared to summer is something I didn’t know which I’m sure would contribute to the plant suffering if you watered it too much.
As you mention, it’s always important to know how much light your plants need. It’s very easy to think “oh it’ll be okay in the sun all day!” which certainly isn’t the case. I recently had a young Acer tree that I had in full sun, and the leaves ended up burnt to a crisp until I moved it into shade; now it’s much happier! 🙂
Thanks again,
Rob
Thanks for the comment! Yes, these are some little things that are actually very important when caring for plants. As much as we are in harmony, so are our plants. They really feel it.