Quick answer
Leaf drop on your string of hearts has a few possible causes, and on this plant the likeliest is overwatering. Check the list below, and think about what changed in its care or spot recently.
Overwatering. Ease off watering, check drainage, and inspect for rot at the base if it feels soft.
Not a match? Compare the signs below to find the one you have.
How to tell
It started dropping leaves soon after you bought, moved, or repotted it.
The fix
Pick a suitable spot, keep care steady, don’t fertilize, and let it adjust over a couple of weeks. Many plants settle once conditions stop changing.
How to tell
Leaves drop after the soil has been bone dry for a while. Watch for wrinkled flat leaves first.
The fix
If the soil is bone dry, water thoroughly, then check it more regularly so it doesn’t dry out that far again.
How to tell
It sits in a draft, near a cold window, or next to a heater, and leaves fall after a cold snap or a sudden temperature swing.
The fix
Move it somewhere with stable, draft-free temperatures.
How to tell
It quietly sheds its lower and inner leaves over weeks while new growth stays small and pale. String of hearts wants bright light and some direct sun.
The fix
Give it a brighter position, out of harsh midday sun.
Once it’s in a good spot, leave it there: stability is what stops leaf drop. Keep watering consistent and protect it from cold drafts.
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