The String of Hearts, also known as Ceropegia woodii, is a semi-succulent plant that has really skyrocketed in popularity! A perfectly cascading plant, String of Hearts is so delicately romantic. When given proper care and time to mature, this plant tumbles out and over the sides of pots creating a botanical curtain.
The leaves on a String of Hearts aren’t the only attraction. Its flowers, which bloom in late summer into fall, are also striking. The blooms have a very distinct tubular shape and are a light pink or magenta in color. While the flowers are very small, they add a fun addition to this already quirky plant!
Not only is this plant a joy to look upon but it is relatively easy to care for as an indoor plant! If you are interested in becoming a String of Hearts plant parent, be sure to check out our post on how to care for a String of Hearts!
Most people are familiar with the most common specimen, which is just simply named The String of Hearts. Did you know that there are more?! Let’s take a look at the Ceropegia woodii and its wonderfully unique String of Hearts varieties that you definitely need to know exist!
1. String of Hearts/Ceropegia woodii
The one that started all the craze, the Ceropegia woodii! This plant is a flowering member of the Apocynaceae family native to Zimbabwe, Eswatini and South Africa. It was discovered in 1881 on the tall Groenberg Mountain in South Africa and the rest is history.
The String of Hearts has chubby, thick leaves with a striking marbled design of dark green and cream. Take a look on the underside of the leaves and you will be delighted to find a rich purplish-brown coloring. The leaves grow in pairs on opposite sides of the slim vine.
All String of Hearts varieties enjoy long exposure to bright, indirect light. This kind of light exposure is a requirement if you want to enjoy its signature colors and blooming flowers!
The String of Hearts is a hardy trailing plant that thrives on neglect, though that doesn’t mean it can be totally forgotten about! It is important to completely drench the soil when watering and to allow the excess water to drain out before replacing it in its home.
Don’t re-water until the top three inches of soil are bone dry to the touch. Because The String of Hearts has a delicate root system, it is very susceptible to root rot!
It is easy to propagate a String of Hearts. Click here to read our post that will guide you through the steps of propagation.
2. String of Spades/Ceropegia woodii ‘Heartless’
The String of Spades is another type of String of Hearts. It is a playful variety with elongated heart shaped leaves that closely resemble the spade on a deck of cards. This String of Hearts variety has bright green leaves with thin, light creamy green veins, giving it a much less marbled look than the original.
Another unique, distinguishing trait of the String of Spades is how its leaves grow from the stem. In other varieties, leaves curve upwards and away from the stem on fine petioles. Leaves on a String of Spades grow flush with their stems.
While the String of Spades has been known to grow a bit slower than other varieties, you will still be able to enjoy a mature vine length over seven feet!
To best support the growth of your String of Spades, and all other varieties, I suggest planting in commercial succulent or cactus soil. This kind of mixture will provide its delicate roots with a loose, breathable environment and help prevent root rot.
3. String of Hearts ‘Silver Glory’/Ceropegia woodii ‘Silver Glory’
I love this String of Hearts variety both for its cute shape and bold color. When compared to the original String of Hearts’ shape, the Silver Glory flaunts a chubbier, rounder silhouette similar to that of an apple or a pumpkin. It is even reminiscent of a kidney bean!