String of Hearts vs String of Turtles
String of hearts trails metres and grows fast; string of turtles creeps slowly and stays a tabletop plant. Both pet-safe; turtles wants more humidity.
String of Hearts is rated easy to care for, String of Turtles medium. If this is an early houseplant or the spot is hard to get right, start with the String of Hearts. String of Turtles needs medium indirect light (3/5) - near a bright window, out of direct sun. String of Hearts wants bright indirect light (4/5), beside a bright window, no midday sun on the leaves.
What they share: both are pet-safe and both stay small.
Choose
String of Hearts if…
- ✓you have a bright window to give it (bright indirect light)
- ✓you forget to water - it prefers to dry out between drinks
- ✓your home runs dry in winter and you will not add a humidifier
- ✓you want the lower-risk plant of the two
- ✓you want visible growth and free cuttings quickly
Choose
String of Turtles if…
- ✓your spot is the dimmer of the two - it manages on medium indirect light
- ✓you like a plant that asks for attention on a schedule
- ✓it will live in a bathroom, kitchen or a humidified room
- ✓you are happy to fuss a little for the better-looking leaves
- ✓you would rather not prune and repot often
String of Hearts vs String of Turtles: side by side
| Attribute |
String of Hearts
|
String of Turtles
|
|---|---|---|
| Plant type | Trailing | Succulent |
| Difficulty | easy | medium |
| Light | ●●●●○ 4/5 Bright indirect light |
●●●○○ 3/5 Medium indirect light |
| Water | ●○○○○ 1/5 Very low |
●●○○○ 2/5 Low |
| Humidity | ●●○○○ 2/5 Low |
●●●○○ 3/5 Average |
| Pet safe | Safe | Safe |
| Mature size | Small 15-30 cm (6-12 in) |
Small 15-30 cm (6-12 in) |
| Growth rate | Fast | Slow |
| Air purifying | No | No |
| Native to | South Africa | Brazil |
Key differences between String of Hearts and String of Turtles
String of Hearts is the easier plant
String of Hearts is rated easy to care for, String of Turtles medium. If this is an early houseplant or the spot is hard to get right, start with the String of Hearts.
String of Turtles copes with less light
String of Turtles needs medium indirect light (3/5) - near a bright window, out of direct sun. String of Hearts wants bright indirect light (4/5), beside a bright window, no midday sun on the leaves.
String of Turtles drinks more
String of Hearts wants very low watering (1/5) - water every 2-3 weeks, once the pot is bone dry. String of Turtles needs low watering (2/5): water when the top 3-5 cm of soil has dried out.
String of Turtles needs damper air
String of Turtles rates 3/5 for humidity - normal household humidity works. String of Hearts rates 2/5, so ordinary room air is fine.
String of Hearts fills out faster
String of Hearts is a fast grower and gives you cuttings or a full pot sooner. String of Turtles is slow, which means less pruning and repotting but a longer wait.
Different plant types: trailing vs succulent
String of Hearts is a trailing plant and String of Turtles is a succulent plant, so they fill different jobs in a room even when their care overlaps.
They come from different habitats
String of Hearts originates in South Africa; String of Turtles in Brazil. Matching the original habitat is the quickest way to guess what each one wants indoors.
How to tell String of Hearts and String of Turtles apart
String of hearts trails metres from a shelf and grows fast; string of turtles creeps slowly and stays short, so it is a tabletop plant rather than a hanging one. Both are pet-safe. Turtles wants a little more humidity.
Care at a glance
String of Hearts
Ceropegia Woodii, Chain of Hearts, Rosary Vine
Delicate trailing vines with tiny heart-shaped leaves. Can grow very long.
Care in one line: Bright indirect light, water when dry, don't overwater.
Full String of Hearts care guide →
String of Turtles
Peperomia Prostrata
A charming trailing succulent with tiny leaves resembling turtle shells. Each leaf displays intricate vein patterns.
Care in one line: Bright indirect light, let soil dry between waterings, avoid overwatering.
Full String of Turtles care guide →String of Hearts vs String of Turtles: common questions
What is the difference between String of Hearts and String of Turtles? +
String of hearts trails metres from a shelf and grows fast; string of turtles creeps slowly and stays short, so it is a tabletop plant rather than a hanging one. Both are pet-safe. Turtles wants a little more humidity. On care, string of Hearts is rated easy to care for, String of Turtles medium. If this is an early houseplant or the spot is hard to get right, start with the String of Hearts.
Which is easier to care for, String of Hearts or String of Turtles? +
String of Hearts. It is rated easy while String of Turtles is medium, and it is more forgiving about light and watering mistakes.
Is String of Hearts or String of Turtles safe for cats and dogs? +
Both are safe. String of Hearts and String of Turtles are each non-toxic to cats and dogs, so either works in a home with animals.
Which needs less light, String of Hearts or String of Turtles? +
String of Turtles. It scores 3/5 for light and near a bright window, out of direct sun. String of Hearts scores 4/5 and beside a bright window, no midday sun on the leaves.
Which needs more water, String of Hearts or String of Turtles? +
String of Turtles, at 2/5 - water when the top 3-5 cm of soil has dried out. String of Hearts scores 1/5: water every 2-3 weeks, once the pot is bone dry.
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