A cascade of tiny silver hearts on fine, purple-tinged stems – this is the String of Hearts at its most shimmering. Beautiful trailing from a shelf, a mantelpiece or a hanging pot, and happiest when it's left a little to its own devices.

Also known as: String of Hearts, Chain of Hearts, Rosary Vine, Sweetheart Vine

Origins & folklore: In the wild, the String of Hearts scrambles over rocky hillsides in southern Africa – South Africa, Eswatini and Zimbabwe – storing water in its fleshy little leaves to see it through dry spells. Linnaeus gave its genus name from the Greek keros (wax) and pēgē (fountain), describing its curious waxy flowers, which look like tiny lanterns or parasols. The species name honours John Medley Wood, the botanist who ran the Durban Botanic Gardens in the late 1800s.

Look closely along the stems, and you'll find small bead-like tubers – the reason it's also called the Rosary Vine. Each bead can root to make a brand-new plant, making it one of the loveliest plants to share cuttings with friends. 

Size: Available in a 9cm or a 12cm plastic nursery pot.

Care guide
•    Light: Bright, indirect light. A little gentle morning or winter sun brings out the silver; too little light leads to sparse leaves with long gaps between them.
•    Watering: Let the compost dry out completely, then water thoroughly and let it drain. Roughly every 2–3 weeks in spring and summer, and about once a month in winter. Overwatering is the most common cause of trouble.
•    Humidity & temperature: Average household humidity is fine. Happiest between 15–27°C; keep above 10°C in winter and away from cold draughts.
•    Feeding: A half-strength houseplant feed once a month in spring and summer. No feed in winter.
•    Good to know: Prefers a gritty, free-draining compost – a peat-free cactus and succulent mix is ideal. Trim straggly stems and lay the cuttings on compost to root.

Toxicity
Non-toxic. Considered safe for humans, cats and dogs.