The Easier To Care For String Of Hearts Dupe Every Plant Owner Should Have

String of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) is a darling houseplant prized for its variegated heart-shaped leaves. This succulent grows in long, draping tendrils, making it a popular option for hanging baskets or shelf displays. Unfortunately, this stunning houseplant isn't always easy to tend to. While the string of hearts doesn't necessarily require advanced care, these beauties can be temperamental under the wrong conditions. If you're in the market for a dupe that is a bit easier to care for, look no further than the Hoya curtisii.

The Hoya curtisii, also known as porcelain flower, is a miniature climbing plant native to Southeast Asia. It features distinct spade-shaped leaves flecked with similar variegation to the string of hearts. This vine can reach anywhere from 1 to 3 feet long. When it's happy and healthy, it produces sweetly scented, star-shaped blooms. This stunning plant is perfect for even the most inexperienced of plant owners, providing just as much beauty as the string of hearts with a little less maintenance.

In its natural habitat, the Hoya curtisii is epiphytical and lithophytic, meaning it grows on trees and rocky terrain where water doesn't pool regularly. That is why it is drought tolerant, even though it is classified as a tropical plant. When you're caring for the porcelain flower at home, water it approximately once a week in the summer and every two weeks in the winter. Be sure to allow the soil to fully dry between waterings. This plant can be susceptible to root rot so be careful not to over water.

Place your plant somewhere it can receive about six hours of bright indirect light a day to mimic the dappled light of the South Asian Forest understory. Avoid placing it in harsh sunlight to protect its leaves from scorching. Be sure your Hoya stays in an environment no cooler than 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Since it's a tropical plant, it does prefer humidity levels around 50% to 60%. You can achieve this by grouping plants tightly together and using a humidifier. If you do keep your plant in a collection, be mindful of potential pests such as mealybugs and spider mites. Watch out for signs of infestation and isolate affected plants as soon as possible.

In order to keep this plant healthy, you need to re-pot it every two to three years. The signs that you need to repot your Hoya include roots escaping out of the side, slow growth, and soil drying out too quickly. When repotting, opt for well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Consider mixing in perlite for better aeration. Choose a pot only one size up from the container where your Hoya curtisii currently resides. They prefer to be pot bound as this will encourage flower growth in the future. Like many Hoyas, this plant does not need a lot of fertilizer. Once a month in the summer with a balanced, liquid fertilizer should do.

After a while, you may want to propagate your Hoya plant and luckily it's a pretty easy process. Simply find a healthy vine with two nodes and cut below the last one. Next, remove all the lower leaves. From there you can either place it in water or directly in soil. With some patience, you can have a brand-new porcelain flower — free of charge!