If you have tried gardening plants at your home, you know it’s a tedious task. Taking care of plants is no easy feat. It requires time, patience, effort, and above all, knowledge about the specific needs of different plants.
If you own a string of spades plants or are interested in buying one, this article is for you. Stick with us as we tell you the top 5 ways to propagate and/ or care for your string of spades plant.
Characteristics of the String of Spades Plant
Before we discuss all the different ways you should care for your string of spades plant, it is important to know more about the plant itself.
The string of spades is known by many names; “String of hearts,” “Ceropegia woodii,” “chain of hearts,” and “rosary vine” are just a few examples. The plant is a trailing vine, which means that it is perfect for front yards where it can be hung from planters and redefine houses’ aesthetics.
Living up to its name, the string of spades plant is essentially a vine with leaves that are the shape of hearts.
These leaves are distinctively green in color with a hint of purple that flushes on its undersides. This combination of shapes and colors is what makes these plants so attractive that they’re bound to steal the hearts of anyone at first sight.
Beauty isn’t even the main feature of its leaves; the string of spades is a drought-resistant plant thanks to its leaves that store water for long periods. This plant is native to South Africa and belongs to the Apocynaceae family.
The Top 5 ways to Take Care of Your String of Spades Plant
Now that we know a good deal about the string of spades plant, it is time to discuss how one should take care of it. Anyone who has any experience with gardening knows that taking care of plants involves more than just regularly watering them and putting them in the sun.
In fact, sometimes watering plants too much or exposing them to too much sunlight can be harmful (or even lethal) to them. This is why being mindful of every plant’s specific needs is extremely important for its proper care.
Here are our top 5 tips on how you can care for your string of spades plant.
Give it indirect exposure to bright sunlight
When it comes to lighting, The string of spades can be a very picky plant. It grows best under indirect (but bright) sunlight. The plant will not survive low light environments; if kept in the dark for too long, it will quickly wither and die away.
However, its leaves are also sensitive to direct exposure to sunlight. If kept directly under the sun for too long, there is a fair chance that its leaves will get scorched, and the plant will die.
Here is one useful tip to remember: if you observe large spaces between the plant’s leaves, it could signify that your plant is not getting enough sunlight. Quickly change the plant’s location as soon as you note this.
Water your plant sparingly
During warmer seasons like summer and spring, the plant only requires watering once (maybe even twice) a week. However, in colder seasons, the plant is dormant and therefore does not require this frequent watering.
In any case, make sure you never over-water the string of spades plant. This is because (as we mentioned earlier) this plant’s leaves have the ability to store water in them for long periods of time.
If they’re over-watered, their leaves will turn yellow and rot. If the leaves of the plant seem wilted and dull, it is probably because it needs water.
Keep in warm temperatures
Temperature is perhaps the most overlooked of all factors contributing to a plant’s proper and healthy growth, yet it drastically affects a plant’s growth and overall health.
In the case of the string of spades, its optimal growth occurs at around 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant does not grow well in cold temperatures. Make sure it is not exposed to temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place it in well-drained soil
Keep check of how big your string of spades plant has gotten compared to its container (pot/ planter). If your plant has outgrown its container, make sure you quickly place it into a container that is a few inches bigger.
Plants require space to grow, so it’s important to be mindful of this tip. Also, make sure you place it in soil that is well-draining; this is extremely important for this plant’s growth.
Use fertilizers to stimulate flower growth.
While the plant does not normally require any nutritional support of fertilizer, it’s probably still a good idea to add some fertilizer to the plant to stimulate the growth of more flowers. This will not only improve the overall beauty of the plant but will also make it healthier.
The String of Spades plant – A basic guide to its propagation
If you’re interested in propagating your spring of spades plant, we have good news for you. Propagating this plant is actually pretty easy; all you have to do is follow the steps we have outlined below:
- Start by cutting the plant under its nodule.
- When the plant starts flowering, aerial tubers will start to take form on the vine.
- When these come into contact with nourishing soil, they will take root and spread.
- For its propagation, cut a piece of the vine with the tuber still intact.
- Then, bury the tuber in healthy well-draining soil and let it rest there.
- Lastly, make sure the soil is moist during the growth period (which usually lasts about a month).
Follow these steps, and you will be successfully able to propagate a string of spades plant for yourself.
Key Takeaways
The string of spades plant has exceptionally beautiful leaves that make the perfect plant to hang from pots and planters. The plant is drought-resistant because of its ability to store water in its leaves for long periods of time.
It is pretty easy to care for since it requires very little monitoring/ oversight. To propagate this plant, wait for it to flower. Then, cut a piece of the vine containing one of its tubers and place it in well-nourished soil. Finally, while keeping the soil moist, give it a one months’ time period to grow.