Garden Care Guide

String of Hearts Care

Ceropegia woodii

An easy-care, trailing succulent with marbled, heart-shaped leaves. It needs plenty of bright light without direct sun and a soil that dries out completely between waterings; its worst enemy is root rot caused by overwatering.

Frost-tender (protect from frost) · 5 °C / 41 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Very rarely, after the soil has dried out completely (once a month or less).
  • General care: The plant is in slow growth or dormancy.
  • Pests & diseases: The greatest risk is root rot caused by overwatering.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 5 °C.
February
  • Watering: Water once a month or when the soil is completely dry.
  • General care: Growth may begin to slow gradually.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 5 °C.
March
  • Watering: When the soil has dried out completely, water (about every 15-20 days).
  • Fertilizing: At the end of the month, begin feeding with a succulent fertilizer or a balanced NPK liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength (do not overfeed).
  • Pruning: You may prune some of its branches to make the plant fuller.
  • General care: It is a suitable time for repotting. You can easily root the branches you cut (propagation).
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 5 °C.
April
  • Watering: When the soil has dried out completely, water (every 10-15 days).
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing once a month.
  • Pruning: You can prune elongating branches whenever you like.
  • Plant protection: Check the leaf junctions for mealybugs (cottony white patches).
  • General care: Turn the pot regularly so it receives light evenly.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see mealybugs, wipe them off with alcohol-soaked cotton.
May
  • Watering: When the soil has dried out completely, water (every 7-10 days).
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing once a month.
  • Pruning: You can continue pruning.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for mealybugs.
  • General care: Drainage is vital for this plant. In heavy, water-retaining soil, plant on a mound or bed raised 20-30 cm, and keep the root collar above the surrounding soil level.
  • Pests & diseases: Yellowing and softening of the leaves is usually a sign of overwatering.
June
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing once a month.
  • Pruning: Prune to maintain the desired length.
  • General care: Make sure the elongating branches do not tangle with one another.
July
  • Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water so that the soil is wetted to a depth of 10-15 cm from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing once a month.
  • General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
August
  • Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water so that the soil is wetted to a depth of 10-15 cm from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: At the start of the month, make the last fertilizer application.
  • General care: Growth begins to slow; prepare the plant for its dormant period.
September
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
  • Fertilizing: Stop fertilizing completely this month.
  • Pruning: You can do one last pruning to tidy the plant for the end of the season.
  • General care: It is still a very suitable time to produce new plants (propagation) from the branches you cut.
October
  • Watering: Reduce the watering frequency noticeably (every 15-20 days or less often).
  • General care: The plant gradually enters winter dormancy.
November
  • Watering: Very rarely; water very little (once a month) after the soil has stayed dry for weeks.
  • General care: In winter rains, make sure water does not pool in the root zone; for this plant, drainage is more critical than irrigation.
  • Pests & diseases: Avoid overwatering against the risk of root rot.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 5 °C.
December
  • Watering: Water once a month or less.
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 5 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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