Rosary Vine Houseplants: How To Grow Rosary Vines Indoors

Rosary vine is a plant full of distinctive personality. The growth habit appears to resemble beads on a string like a rosary, and it is also called string of hearts. Rosary vine string of hearts is native to Africa and makes an excellent houseplant. Rosary vine plant care outdoors requires a location in USDA zones 10 and above. Otherwise, rosary vine houseplants are the solution if you wish to grow this funky little plant.

Rosary Vine String of Hearts

Ceropegia woodii is the scientific designation for the wiry stemmed plant. Rosary vine houseplants have pairs of heart-shaped leaves about every 3 inches (7.5 cm.) along the slender stem. The sparse foliage adds to the unique look of the plant. The leaves are etched lightly on the top surface with white and on the underside with purple. The stems drape over a pot or container and hang down to 3 feet (1 m.). Little bead-like structures form on the stems at intervals between the leaves. Rosary vine plant care is minimal and the string of hearts has a high heat tolerance and light requirement. Choose the sunniest room of the house for growing Ceropegia rosary vine.

How to Grow Rosary Vines

The little bead-like pearls on the stems are called tubercles, and form after the plant has produced small tube-like purple flowers. The tubercles will root and produce another plant if the stem touches soil . If you are just in love with your plant and wonder how to grow rosary vines to share, take a look at the tubercles. You can pull them off, lay them on the surface of the soil and wait for roots. It is that simple to propagate and grow rosary vines.

Rosary Vine Plant Care

Rosary vine houseplants are old-fashioned indoor greenery that enchant with their thick heart-shaped leaves and slim stiff stems. Use a container with good drainage holes and plant string of hearts in average potting soil amended with one-third sand. This vine must not be kept too wet or it is prone to rot. Allow the soil to dry out completely between watering. The plant goes dormant in winter, so watering should be even less frequent. Fertilize in spring with a half dilution of food every two weeks. You can cut off errant stems, but pruning is not strictly necessary.

Growing Ceropegia Rosary Vine Outdoors

Gardeners in zones 10 and above should be cautioned about growing this funny plant outside. The tubercles spread easily and it takes only the lightest touch to dislodge them from the parent plant. That means rosary vine can spread easily and quickly. Try it on a rockery or trailing over a wall. Just watch out for the pearly little balls and their jackrabbit quick propagation.