Troubleshooting
String of hearts problems — and how to fix them
String of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Sparse leggy strands
Insufficient light; move to brighter indirect light.
Mushy leaves at the crown
Overwatering; cut affected strands and reduce frequency.
Faded markings
Too little light reduces silver mottling.
Spider mites
Stippling in dry rooms; rinse and raise humidity.
Prevent string of hearts problems before they start
Most string of hearts issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
String of hearts problems — FAQ
Why is my string of hearts sparse leggy strands?
Insufficient light; move to brighter indirect light.
Why is my string of hearts mushy leaves at the crown?
Overwatering; cut affected strands and reduce frequency.
Why is my string of hearts faded markings?
Too little light reduces silver mottling.
Why is my string of hearts spider mites?
Stippling in dry rooms; rinse and raise humidity.