String of Spades Plant - Ceropegia woodii ‘Heartless’

The String of Spades plant is a compact yet vigorous trailing succulent, with vines that can reach 4 feet long under favorable conditions.

Individual leaves remain small, usually less than an inch in size, while the plant spreads gracefully rather than growing upright, creating a soft, draping effect. The String of Spades flowers are typically pale pink to mauve with darker accents and bloom during spring and summer.

These delicate blooms resemble tiny lanterns and appear sporadically along the stems. While not the primary attraction, the flowers add a subtle ornamental bonus and reflect the plant’s botanical charm. 

As a unique variety of String of Hearts, it offers eye-catching foliage, graceful growth, and easy adaptability to indoor spaces. Its distinctive leaf shape, drought tolerance, and cascading habit make it an excellent choice for plant lovers seeking a rare yet approachable statement plant. 

The String of Spades plant is a drought-tolerant plant that stores water in its tuberous roots and fleshy leaves, allowing it to thrive even when watering is occasionally missed. Overwatering is the most common cause of failure, so allowing the soil to dry fully between waterings is essential. The String of Spades needs infrequent watering, with more moisture during the growing season (March–September), once every 7-14 days, and minimal watering specialized succulent potting soil about every 3-4 weeks during dormancy (October–February).  

In spring and summer, during the growing season, water every 7–14 days, using enough water to thoroughly moisten the soil while ensuring excess drains out completely. In warm months, the plant grows actively and benefits from slightly more frequent watering, especially in bright light or warmer indoor environments. However, the soil should always dry out between watering cycles to prevent root rot. 

In fall and winter, during the dormant season, water every 3–4 weeks using a light but thorough soak, only after the soil is completely dry. Growth slows significantly in cooler months, and excess moisture can easily lead to rot. Reducing watering during dormancy helps maintain healthy roots and prevents stress on the plant. 

Light Requirements – Where to Place Your String of Spades Plant 

Planet Desert specializes in succulents and has , that includes an organic substrate with mycorrhizae to help with the growth of a healthy root system, to help your succulents thrive. 

Use NPK fertilizer in a 5-10-5 ratio once a year in the spring, and refrain from feeding in the fall and winter. Overfertilizing can cause weak, stretched growth, so a light feeding approach is best. 

Hardiness Zone & More 

String of Spades is easy to propagate using stem cuttings, tubers, or layering methods, making it ideal for sharing or expanding collections. Stem cuttings should be taken during spring or summer, allowed to callus for 24 hours, and then placed in moist, well-draining soil. Keep cuttings in bright indirect light and lightly moist conditions until roots develop. 

Another effective method is layering, where trailing stems are pinned onto the soil while still attached to the mother plant. Once roots form, the new plant can be separated and grown independently. 

Overall, the String of Spades (Ceropegia woodii ‘Heartless’) is a visually striking, easy-care trailing succulent known for its drought tolerance, decorative foliage, and adaptability. With proper watering, well-draining soil, bright indirect light, and occasional feeding, it thrives as a houseplant or warm-climate outdoor specimen. Its pet-safe nature, propagation ease, and ornamental trailing habit make it an excellent choice for collectors, beginners, and décor-focused plant enthusiasts alike.