String of Hearts plant or Ceropegia woodii is easy to grow and propagate. This fast growing vine type plant has small heart shaped leaves that are so stinkin cute. The vines will grow and grow until they hit the floor or you give them a trim. This plant can also grow white ball shaped tubers along the vine which is why it is sometimes called rosary vine plant. The String of Hearts likes bright light and water only after it has dried out completely, like a succulent. It has had a bit of trouble with Canadian winter but overall, it does well in low humidity situations. Supplemental light during the winter goes a long way for it’s care if you can provide it.
This plant has easily grown six feet in length over the summer growing season. String of hearts grows so easily and is such fun to care for and share with friends. If you want a plant that you don’t need to worry about, that you can trim and regrow and that looks fantastic hanging on a shelf then String of Hearts is for you!
Light: String of Hearts likes quite a lot of light and even handles a bit of direct sun. Mine is about 4 or 5 ft across from my South West window and gets some direct sun in the afternoon. In the winter, I try to boost it’s light with a grow bulb to extend the hours of light it receives.
Water: What I LOVE most about caring for String of Hearts is that it’s pretty easy to tell when it should be watered. Look at the leaves near the crown of the plant. Are they plump? Like little juicy berries? Then your plant does not need water. If they are flattened, or squishy and the soil is dry, it’s time to give it a good soak. Hearts nearer the ends of the strings will be flatter as they are new so look to the older ones for clues. When it’s ready, give it a good soak until water runs out the bottom of the pot. Make sure to discard of any water that collects in the cache pot or saucer. In the winter, if the plant is getting less light you may need to pull back on the watering.
Soil: I treat this plant much like a succulent or peperomia in that it really needs a well draining soil mix. Mine seems quite happy in a mix of potting soil and cactus soil with a bit of extra perlite thrown in for good measure.
Humidity: The string of hearts is great in standard household humidity. No extra fussing required. Where you might want to increase humidity levels is during propagation. Otherwise, treat this plant like a succulent. Dry air is just fine.
Fertilizer: I’m using a general houseplant fertilizer on my string of hearts every few weeks through the summer. A cactus or succulent fertilizer would also do well. In winter, as it is not actively growing for me in my home, I do not fertilize this plant. If you live somewhere that your string of hearts plant will continue to grow all winter you may wish to fertilize.
Toxicity: Ceropegia woodii is non-toxic however it’s best to keep curious mouths from munching on plants, especially newer ones to your home as you don’t know if they were sprayed previously.
The string of hearts plant (Ceropegia woodii) is a beautiful trailing succulent that produces delicate heart-shaped leaves on vining stems. With its eye-catching foliage and easy care requirements, it has become a very popular houseplant. If you already have a string of hearts in your home propagating it through cuttings is an easy way to get more plants for free.
One of the most common propagation techniques for string of hearts is the butterfly method. This method involves making small, individual cuttings from the mother plant and planting them directly into soil or another propagating medium Here is a step-by-step guide on how to propagate string of hearts using the butterfly method
What You’ll Need
- A healthy string of hearts mother plant
- Clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears
- Well-draining potting mix
- Small pots or containers
- Clear plastic bags (optional)
- Bobby pins, fork, or plant weights (optional)
Step 1: Take Cuttings
Start by identifying some healthy strands on your mother plant that are at least 3-4 inches long Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to carefully cut off the strands.
To do the butterfly method, you’ll make cuts on both sides of each pair of round, heart-shaped leaves, leaving about 1/2 inch of stem on either side of the leaf pair. This will create small, individual cuttings that resemble butterfly wings.
Step 2. Prepare the Soil
Fill your small pots or containers most of the way with a well-draining potting mix. Avoid regular garden soil, as it can be too heavy and retain too much moisture. A cactus or succulent mix amended with extra perlite works great.
Make sure the potting mix is dry before inserting the cuttings. You don’t want it to be wet or saturated.
Step 3. Stick in the Cuttings
Gently stick each individual cutting into the potting mix so the leaves are above the soil and the cut end is in the soil. Space the cuttings 1-2 inches apart.
You can also lay the cuttings on top of the dry soil. However, anchoring the ends in the soil helps prevent them from shifting around and drying out.
Step 4. Provide Humidity
String of hearts cuttings do best in a humid environment while they root. Create humidity by placing the pot inside a clear plastic bag and sealing it, or use a propagation dome if you have one.
Make sure the plastic doesn’t directly touch the leaves. Open the bag for a few hours every 2-3 days to refresh the air.
Step 5. Wait for Roots
Keep the potting mix dry, only watering occasionally with a spray bottle if it becomes completely bone dry. You should start to see tiny white roots forming at the cut ends in 2-3 weeks.
Once the cuttings have rooted, transition them to regular watering, letting the soil dry out between waterings. Remove the plastic bag once roots have formed.
Tips for Success
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Take cuttings from the healthiest, most vibrant parts of the mother plant. Avoid woody or bare stems.
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Keep the cuttings in bright, indirect light as they root. Low light will cause weak, leggy growth.
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Anchoring the cuttings with bobby pins, a fork, or weights can help prevent them from dislodging.
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Avoid overwatering, which can lead to rot. Wait for signs of roots before increasing water.
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Pinch off any flowers that form on cuttings so the plant can focus energy on root growth.
In just a few weeks, your string of hearts cuttings should have roots and be ready to pot up individually or add back to your mother plant for a fuller appearance! The butterfly method is an easy way to get more of these trailing beauties to enhance your indoor garden.
Troubleshooting String of Hearts
Generally there are few issues with this plant. It’s strong, vigorous and hearty but I have overcome several issues.
Dropping leaves: There are many reasons plants drop their leaves. Typically it’s because they can’t get water to them due to either persistently dry soil, root, or stem problems. If your plant sits dry for too long, it may drop leaves as it can’t hydrate them. If your plant is overwatered and the roots become damaged or rotten, it can also drop leaves.
Small leaves or sparse stems: If your plant grows more vines than leaves and you have sparse strings it likely needs more hours of light. It won’t put energy into growing foliage it can’t keep alive. I find that here in Canada, in the winter this plant can struggle with the short days. I supplement lighting with a grow light and it has made all the difference.
Balding on top: Many people dislike how this plant looks when it only grows leaves on the vines, but not on the top of the pot. This will happen over time if the top of the pot is not receiving sunlight. Make sure the plant isn’t too deep in the pot. the leaves should be above the rim so they get sun. Also make sure the plant is not hanging too high. If the light from the window is not reaching the top of the pot, you could be at risk of balding. Not to worry though, it can easily be fixed through propagation! See below.
How to Propagate String of Hearts
Snip the strings and remove the leaves closest to the cut end from the stem. Place in water for about 3-4 weeks. Be sure to change the water once a week so it stays fresh and oxygenated. Once you see roots that are 2 to 3 inches in length you can plant into soil. As the roots were used to water, keep the soil from drying out completely for about 2 weeks so the roots can transition. Water propagating is a fun way to share rooted cuttings with a friend!
PROPAGATION TIPS | HOW TO PROPAGATE STRING OF HEARTS USING BUTTERFLY METHOD | SUCCULENT PROPAGATION
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