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The String of hearts plant goes by different names in different localities depending on the aspect of the plant deemed more attractive.
The string of hearts, the chain of hearts, rosary vine, sweetheart vine, and every other name it goes by, is a plant native to Africa but grown in other nations in the world.
It has a string-like stem with leaves shaped like a heart- the reason for the name string of hearts. It is an ornamental plant but can be eaten as food.
There are certain conditions that bring about a decline in life and sometimes lead to the death of an ivy plant.
They are usually subtle at the beginning but persist until an entire string of hearts plant dies out.
Is your string of hearts plant dying? Do you already see symptoms of a decline in the proper health condition of your string of hearts plant?
Are there visible discolorations in your string of hearts plant? If your answer is yes to any of those questions, then this article is just the right resource you need to save your string of hearts plant from complete death.
Keep reading to learn how to revive your string of hearts plant.
String of Hearts Dying With Yellow Leaves (Over Watering)
You need to understand that the string of hearts plant as an ornamental plant loves heat and good light.
A moderate amount of water is a good way to keep your string of hearts hydrated and growing.
Supplying too much water to a string of hearts plant is generally dangerous and could sadly lead to the death of the plant.
The recommended watering routine for adequate growth of a string of hearts plant is a good soak of water once a week from the bottom.
When an excessive amount of water is applied to the string of hearts plant; the soil stays damp for a long time which affects the normal growth of the plant.
A major symptom of overwatering the string of hearts plant is a yellow coloration of the leaves.
It begins from the yellow coloration of the stems and continues to spread to the leaves until the entire plant is covered in yellow.
Wilting follows, then death. Sounds scary right? Asides from overwatering the plant, poor drainage of water from the plant pot makes for overwatering.
Ideally, after watering either by soaking or sprinkling, the string of hearts plant should be lightly drained of water.
This way, excessive moisture is removed from the soil leaving just the right amount of water necessary for the growth of the plant.
How to revive string of hearts dying due to overwatering
You do not need to be really worried about your string of hearts when there are overwatering and yellow colorations of the string of hearts plant.
The following are ways of reviving the string of hearts plant:
1. Water only when necessary: this is important given the nature of the plant and its love for heat and dry conditions.
In cold seasons, cut down on the frequency of watering as the plant does not need a lot of water in these conditions.
2. Use pots that have provision for good drainage: the string of hearts plant does not survive on damp soils hence every time you water, ensure you drain the plant.
This is made easier with a plant pot laced with good drainage holes for automatic draining of water.
3. Occasionally change the soil: as much as possible, advisably once in six months, change the soil of the plant.
This is because as a nitrogenous plant, the strings of hearts plant uses up a lot of nutrients from the soil.
Thus, the probability of infertility in the soil is increased with the continued growth of the plant.
Also, replacing old soils, with new ones helps remove the plant from soils with excess moisture into better soils.
4. Practice asexual propagation: you could cut away bad parts of the plant away, those parts that are already coloured and those with little colorations.
When they are cut off, simply cut healthy parts of the plants from other strings of hearts plants and graft them into the cut-out parts.
This is easy to perform and guarantees rapid regrowth.
String of Hearts with Brown Leaves
Even though the string of hearts plant is adapted to grow in hot conditions, it is worthy of note that the string of hearts plant isn’t favourable to direct heat from the sun nor does it survive under extremely hot or dehydrated conditions.
An effect of dehydration and exposure to direct sunlight on the string of hearts plant is the change of some of the leaves from the normal green to brown.
The leaves usually look scorched, weak and could easily fall off in these conditions.
How to Revive Brown String of Hearts Plant
Excess sunlight is the predominant cause of the browning of leaves of the strings of the heart plant. The following are the ways to revive the string of hearts plant.
1. Be careful about the plant location: this is very necessary and should be taken good note of.
When placing your plant pot around the house, do not place it in areas with direct sunlight. A good shade is advisable.
2. Change habitat gradually: if you are going to have to rearrange the house such that plants move to a new part of the house where there more sunlight, do so gradually.
Let the plant adapt slowly to the new condition.
3. Ensure to water adequately: your string of hearts plant needs a good supply of water. Do not deprive it of this.
String of Hearts Plants Brown and Shriveled
Caused by excessive sunlight and heat but differ slightly in the mode of appearance from the brown string of hearts.
While a string of heart with brown leaves, only have some parts of the leaves brown, a string of hearts with brown and shrivelled leaves, have the entire plant brown and shrivelled.
This happens in situations of water deprivation for longer periods of time. The plant quickly wilts and dies off.
How to Revive String of Hearts with Brown and Shrivelled Leaves
To do this, increase the water supply, water more frequently, change the soil and remove plants from areas with high sun reflection.
Cold Temperatures Can Cause a Dying String of Hearts Plant
59`F is the best temperature for proper growth of the string of hearts plant. Temperatures lower than this usually do not allow for enough removal of moisture, which leads to moisture build-up in the root area of the plant.
This allows for the growth of fungal and bacterial infections around the root region, causing root rot.
Too Much Shade Causes Leaves to Turn Light Green, fall off And Slow Growth
Plants need photosynthesis to survive and make food for survival. Photosynthesis is contained in sunlight.
Shielding your string of hearts from sunlight keeps it deficient in photosynthesis. The leaves begin to turn light green to indicate an absence of phosphorous and eventually begin to wilt.
Will String of Hearts Grow Back?
Yes, they will. The string of hearts plant is one that can be propagated asexually either by grafting or budding.
When you cut out dead parts of the plant, you would need to asexually propagate them by engrafting a healthy part into it.
This way, your plant grows back perfectly.
Should I Mist My String of Hearts?
Watering your string of hearts plant depends on your chosen style. You can mist your string of hearts by sprinkling water from top to bottom or soak the plant pot in a container full of water.
However, you choose to water the plant, ensure you are not overwatering. You do not want to have your string of hearts yellowing out on you.
Do you? So yes, you should mist your string of hearts if it is more convenient for you.
Can I put my string of hearts outside?
The string of hearts plan does not like a rapid temperature change. If you want to put your string of hearts outside, ensure it stays in the same temperature conditions as when it used to be indoors. Better still, if you must keep your string of hearts outside, ensure you have a shade for it. This is to avoid direct heat from the sun.
How Do You Make a String of Hearts Bushy?
“All you need to do is to prepare a vase, scissors, and some water. Then cut off the vine pieces you want to root, put them in the vase, and wait for the root to grow.”
Growing a bush full of strings of hearts is pretty easy as long as you already have a few growing strings of hearts. The string of hearts plant is easily propagated by its stems.
You just need to get the stems around the areas you want to grow the new plants and let them germinate. Ensure this is done with good soil and sufficient water.
Key Takeaways
- The string of hearts plant is both ornamental and delicious in meals
- The leaves of the string of hearts plant turn yellow when the plant is getting over watered.
- When the leaves begin to turn yellow you need to cut down on the water supply, make good drainage in the plant pot, change the soil mix and expose the plant to heat.
- String of heart with brown leaves, are a sign of sun scorching and excessive sunlight.
- To revive a string of heart plant with brown leaves, increase the water supply as well as reduce its exposure to sunlight.
Conclusion
The string of hearts plant is quick to show symptoms when the conditions in its habitat are not favourable enough for survival. We hope this article was helpful enough.
