String of Hearts is native to parts of Africa, including South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe. They are part of the genus Ceropegia and the family Apocynaceae. These plants are scientifically listed as Ceropegia Linnaeus, as Carl Linnaeus was the man who first discovered them in 1737.
They are little succulents that create tiny, heart-shaped leaves that are attractive and eye-catching without taking up too much space. However, maybe you have heard of a variegated version and wondered which one you have.
The regular form of String of Hearts has darker green leaves with light veining and deep red stems, while the variegated version is more pastel in color, with light pinks and violets instead of deep red for the stems. Besides their appearance, they are pretty similar, especially in care. The only significant difference is that the variegated version needs more sunlight to compensate for its lack of green.
These aren’t the only two versions of the String of Hearts either. The String of Hearts has six subspecies, including another color variation.
Similarities Between Variegated and Regular String of Hearts
The String of Hearts and the Variegated String of Hearts are the same plant. However, as the name suggests, one is simply a variation of the other. For that reason, the only real difference is their appearance.
They have the same care requirements for the most part and are similar in size and shape. Whether you are looking at String of Hearts Regular, String of Hearts Variegated, or one of the other varieties of String of Hearts, there are only a few minor color differences.
For some of the other varieties with slightly different shapes, such as String of Needles, String of Arrows, and String of Spades, there are also differences in the shape of the leaves.
String of Hearts: Spiritual Meaning
Most of the time, String of Hearts has a meaning to do with love and support. Many people take it as a sign of support, love, and belief from the universe. Most of this solely has to do with the shape of the leaves.
How to Identify String of Hearts Variegated
Is My String of Hearts Variegated?
The easiest way to tell if your String of Hearts is Variegated is to look at the colors. The Variegated and Regular versions look very similar, but the Variegated tend to have a lot more pinks and violets, especially in the stem, but the leaves can have some of the colors as well.
Additionally, the leaves are sometimes a lighter yellow, with the green localized more to the center. We like to describe them as a more pastel and pink version, as all of the colors tend to be much lighter than a traditional String of Hearts.
Does Variegated String of Hearts Grow Fast?
Variegated String of Hearts do grow fast. They are a little slower in growth than a regular String of Hearts, but you won’t notice the difference much. As long as they have proper care, they can grow very fast. If they aren’t growing very fast, it is likely because the conditions aren’t ideal.
Is Variegated String of Hearts Rare?
Variegated String of Hearts is considered to be somewhat rare. They are rarer than the Regular String of Hearts. While quite a few people seem to have them, they aren’t always easy to find, especially in stores. You can have better luck finding them online.
How to Identify Regular String of Hearts
Is My String of Hearts Regular?
A Regular String of Hearts often has darker green leaves with a lighter green veining. The stems are usually a deep reddish-purple, and sometimes the margins of the leaves are also a dark red or purple.
These do not only have less coloring than the variegated version, but they are also usually darker and bolder colors instead of being more pastel.
Is the Regular String of Hearts Slow Growing?
Regular String of Hearts is fast-growing, though they can be a little slower when grown indoors or in conditions that aren’t ideal. If you want your String of Hearts to grow faster, giving it more sunlight is often the best option.
Is My Regular String of Hearts Rare?
The Regular String of Hearts isn’t rare. It may not be one you can find in local stores around you, but they are often easy enough to find online. They are less rare than a Variegated String of Hearts and other String of Hearts varieties.
Are There Different Kinds of String of Hearts?
There are six different varieties of String of Hearts:
- Regular String of Hearts: these have heart-shaped leaves that are deep green with white veining and bright red stems.
- String of Hearts Silver Glory: these look similar to the other plants, but the bottom of the leaves aren’t pointed, so they look more like lily pads than hearts. The leaves are a little lighter, and the stems aren’t as vibrant.
- Variegated String of Hearts: these have more pinks and purples and are generally lighter in color. They seem like a more pastel version of the Regular String of Hearts.
- String of Arrows: instead of being heart-shaped, these leaves are more pointed and narrow, like arrows. The leaves and stems are usually green, with less dark colors and light veining.
- String of Spades: the main green is much darker than the Regular version, creating a bigger contrast against the veining. The leaves look more like spades than hearts or arrows.
- String of Needles: this has thin, needle-like leaves that differentiate them instantly from the others. Uniquely, they are also the most dangerous ones to eat.
String of Spades Vs. String of Hearts
The significant difference between String of Hearts and String of Spades is the shape of the leaves. While both are faintly heart-shaped, the String of Spades has a piece on the top, making it look more like a spade than just a heart.
Additionally, the String of Spades has leaves fairly flat along the stem instead of curling outwards from the stem like String of Hearts.
String of Arrows Vs. String of Hearts
The major difference between String of Hearts and String of Arrows is the shape of the leaves. The String of Arrows has more pointed and narrow leaves, making them look more reminiscent of arrows than hearts. They usually have a lot more white or light green veining on the leaves than the String of Hearts.
Why Do They All Look Similar?
There are a few differences between the String of Hearts varieties. However, they all come from the same plant. This means they have a lot of similar behaviors, requirements, and growth behavior. It is more of a physical change than anything.
The ones with less color in their leaves need a little more sun, as only green can absorb the light from the sun. So leaves that don’t have a lot of green need more light to absorb the same amount of energy from the sun.
They are all part of the C. Linearis species, and it is just the subspecies that are different, so you can expect a lot of similarities.
Summary
String of Hearts is an attractive succulent that is relatively easy to find and makes a lovely plant for your home. However, it can be hard to tell which version of this plant you have if you don’t know what to look for. There are six varieties in total, and they all have very similar requirements and growth habits.
The regular form of String of Hearts has darker green leaves with light veining and deep red stems, while the variegated version is more pastel in color, with light pinks and violets instead of deep red for the stems.
About half of the varieties have different shapes on their leaves besides hearts, including needles, spades, and arrows. Then there is also color. The variations of String of Hearts come in colors ranging from deep greens, reds, and purples to light, pastel colors. Whichever version you end up with, it will make a wonderful addition to your home or space.