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String of hearts (Ceropegia Woodii) is a trailing plant with beautiful heart-shaped, patterned leaves. In the right conditions this plant will thrive and grow longer and longer. At some point you may want to try cutting down and propagating. Another reason you may choose to propagate is if your string of hearts spacing starts to get to far apart. This usually happens if the plant is not get enough light. Give your baby bright indirect light and she will give you so much love.
You can take your propagated strings and put them back into the mother plant or leave it on it’s own to start a new plant. There are several different ways to propagate String of Hearts. Here are some of my favourite ways:
PERLITE PROPAGATION
STRING OF HEARTS STRAND METHOD
The strand method is just like the butterfly method. The only difference is that you don’t cut each segment and instead leave the strand intact and place it on top of your medium.
I used to use the butterfly method. However, I’m finding I like the strand method even better. It works great in soil, Perlite and Sphagnum moss. I find it has a higher success rate than butterfly method as it prevents small segments from getting to close to the medium which sometimes causes the leafs to get to wet and cause rotting. This method also tends to produce roots at multiple points and can be cut after roots have grown.
1) Cut a strand or multiple strands
2) Add a layer of Perlite to your container or prop box. About an inch or 2.
3) Add a small amount of water
4) Add more dry perlite on top. About 3 or 4 inches more of dry perlite. ( the moisture will rise. So you do not want top layer to be wet; this could cause leaves to rot)
*Optional but I like to mix in some cinnamon to my perlite to act as a rooting agent. I also add in some bits of mosquito dunks to prevent fungus gnats.
Even though I prefer the strand method, I left tips on how to do the butterfly method below.
STRING OF HEARTS BUTTERFLY METHOD
1) Cut a strand or multiple strands
2) Add a layer of Perlite to your container or prop box. About an inch or 2.
3) Add a small amount of water
4) Add more dry perlite on top. About 3 or 4 inches more of dry perlite. ( the moisture will rise. So you do not want top layer to be wet; this could cause leaves to rot)
5)Cut the strands on either side of each pair of hearts. I like to leave about half an inch on either side.
6) Place your butterflies on top of your growing medium
5) Increase Humidity– if you are not using a prop box then putting your container in a plastic bag works really well
SOIL PROPAGATION
STRAND METHOD
This is my favourite method
1) You will want to fill a pot with well draining soil. DO NOT WET THE SOIL.
2) Cut a strand or multiple strands. I like to stick one end of the strand right into the soil and then spiral the rest of the strand on top ofthe soil; nodes facing soil, hearts facing up. You don’t have to spiral the strands, you can just place them on top of soil. But I do find the spiral method better because it helps fill up the pot nicely.
Alternatively you can spiral the strand on top of the mother plant without cutting any strands. This will help make the mother plant bushier.
3) This is optional, but I find it really helps to hold the strands in place with bobby pins or plastic forks.
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4) Leave the soil dry and place the pot in a humid location or in a propagation box or greenhouse. I personally like using a ziploc sandwich or freezer bag if the pot is small enough. The humidity will help the propagation process along.
5) Wait at least a week before lightly misting. Too much water will cause the leaves to rot. I keep mine in the ziploc bag until i notice new growth. It is a good idea to open the bag every few days to prevent mold.
TIP: If you have any blooms on the strands you want to propagate I would take them off as I find they tend to rot pretty quickly
The butterfly method can also be used in soil: place the cuttings on top of the soil the same way you would if doing the strand method.
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SPHAGNUM MOSS PROPAGATION- String of Hearts
STRAND METHOD
Sphagnum moss (not to be confused with Sphagnum Peat Moss. They are two totally different substrates,) is a great medium for propagating plants. The only real downside is that it can be difficult to get the moss off of the roots when it’s time to transition. But if you are transitioning to soil it is not a big deal to leave a bit of sphagnum on the roots.
To try this method:
1) Soak your Sphagnum Moss in water for approx 15- 20 mins. (Tip: I also like to add a drop of Superthrive or a rooting hormone to the water)
2) Wring out the Sphagnum Moss really well. It should be damp but not soaking wet
3) Put your moss in a container or prop box
4)Place your cutting on top of the moss. You can use a butterfly method or strand method.
5) Increase Humidity. If your not using a prop box you can easily put your container in a ziploc bag.
I find this method to produce roots pretty quickly. Within a week or so you should notice some white fuzzy roots forming.
All these methods should also work for variegated string of hearts or string of spades. Happy propagating! Don’t forget to let me know what method works the best for you!
I love hearing your feedback.
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