String of Hearts Propagation
Hi friends! I’m trying to propagate a silver string of hearts. I took several individual heart leaves off, dipped them in rooting hormone powder, and put them in dirt. After doing this, I read articles that said to propagate them in water or lay segments of strings across dirt. None of the articles said anything about single leaves, though. Will these little guys grow? Thanks! #PropagationStation #SucculentLove #StringOfHearts
2ft to light, direct
5” pot with drainage
Last watered 10 months ago
6
@Sylvi
FROM CUTTINGS
Taking cuttings from rosary vines is very easy, and there’s no particular place that’s best. Any vine segment that’s 3-4” long with healthy leaves will work.
Roots will form from the leaf nodes along the stem in either water or soil. So if yours is getting too long and needs a trim, it’s a great time to give it a try.
It’s also possible to use leaf cuttings, but it will take the longest to get a full sized plant this way. Still fun to experiment though!
BY DIVISION
Division is a good way to quickly propagate string of hearts, and it has a very high success rate. There are two ways to approach it.
The rootball can be divided into large chunks and potted up into separate containers. Or, you can divide each tuber (bulb) and repot them for many new plants.
The tubers are under or along the soil line, or sometimes appear as small yellow, bulbous growths along the stems. Those are called aerial tubers and will take the longest to produce a good-sized plant.
PROPAGATING STRING OF HEARTS FROM CUTTINGS
The first thing you need to do to propagate string of hearts is learn to properly take and prepare the cuttings. It’s not difficult, but needs to be done the right way.
HOW TO CUT STRING OF HEARTS FOR PROPAGATION
Choose a 3-4” section of vine that has healthy leaves attached. Alternatively, you can take one longer segment and cut it into several sections.
Use clean precision pruners or snips to make a straight cut right above the next section of leaf joints.
If you want to try rooting individual leaves, make sure nub of the stem is still attached, or it won’t work.
Otherwise, take a 1-2” section of stem with two leaves attached. These are often called butterfly cuttings.
PREPARING THE CUTTINGS FOR PROPAGATION
Remove all leaves on the bottom two inches of the cutting. There must be at least one exposed node in order for it to work.
You should also snip off the extra empty piece of stem below the bottom node, because it will only rot.
If there are any flowers or buds, pinch them off as well. Bloom development takes energy from the cuttings, and we want them to direct it toward rooting instead.
HOW TO GROW STRING OF HEARTS FROM CUTTINGS
With your vine segments prepared, you’re ready to start. Below you’ll find detailed instructions for rooting chain of heart cuttings in either soil or water.
STEPS FOR ROOTING ROSARY VINE CUTTINGS IN SOIL
Propagating rosary vines in soil produces stronger starts fairly quickly, but requires humidity. I recommend purchasing or making a propagation box to help.
Rooting stem cuttings is the easiest, but you can also use vines that are still attached to the mother plant. Below I’ll explain how to do both.
Step 1: Prepare the soil – For best results I recommend using a well-draining medium, like a sandy cactus mix.
You could also make your own by combining equal parts potting soil, perlite or pumice, and coarse sand.
Step 2: Prepare the container – Fill a container or propagation chamber with 3-4” of slightly damp, but not soggy medium.
For cuttings, first make holes 2” into the medium. You can put several into the same container.
If you’re working with vines still attached to the mother plant, place a new pot filled with fresh soil next to it.
Step 3: Apply rooting hormone – Brush the exposed leaf nodes with rooting hormone. You could also dust the vines attached to the mother before laying them over the soil, which will help speed things up.
Step 4: Put them into the container – Place the dusted end into the holes you made, and gently pack the soil around them, ensuring the nodes are under the surface.
For vines still attached, coil them on the top of the new pot, or drape them across it. Gently pin them down so they have constant contact with the surface.
Step 5: Provide humidity – Put the lid on your propagation box, or tent a plastic bag over the top of the pot. Check every few days for excess condensation to avoid mildew.
If you’ve opted to skip the box, mist them every day to keep the top layer of the soil and cuttings just barely damp.
Step 6: Place in indirect light – String of hearts needs plenty of bright light during propagation, but direct sun could bake them. So place them near a sunny window where they will get filtered light.
Warm medium helps to speed things up, so try placing the container on a heat mat if you want them to root faster.
STEPS FOR ROOTING STRING OF HEARTS IN WATER
You can also propagate string of heart cuttings in water. However, the roots are not as hardy as they are when started in soil, and they take much longer to form.
Also, your rosary vines may have a difficult time transitioning to soil after being in water for an extended period of time. So you need to be patient.
Step 1: Fill a jar or vase – Using a clear vase is great so you can easily watch the root development. Fill it with tepid or lukewarm water.
Step 2: Add the cuttings – Ensure at least one leaf node per stem is under the water. You can place several into the same vase, but be sure no leaves are immersed or they will rot.
Step 3: Keep the water clean – Refresh the water if it gets cloudy, or as it evaporates. It should never be brown or stinky, so be sure to remove any rotted pieces if this happens.
Step 4: Wait for 1/2” long roots – Once the roots are at least a 1/2” long, it’s time to pot them up. Don’t leave them in water much longer, or they’ll have a harder time transitioning back to soil.
HOW TO PROPAGATE STRING OF HEARTS BY DIVISION
Propagating string of hearts by division is easy, and usually the fastest and most successful way to get new plants. It can be approached in a few different ways.
You can divide the rootball, separate individual bulbs in the soil, or use the aerial tubers that form along the vines.
STEPS FOR DIVIDING THE ROOTBALL
The quickest way to create larger, fuller plants is to divide the rootball into sections containing several tubers. Here’s how…
Step 1: Prepare new pots and soil – Choose a clean pot that is proportionate to the size of the division you plan to take, and also has good drainage holes.
Add a layer of well-draining or a general potting mix to the bottom of the new container, and gently pack it down.
Step 2: Gently tease apart rootball – Slide your rosary vine from its pot and work it apart into a few large chunks. It can take some time to untangle the vines and roots, so be gentle and patient with it.
Step 3: Pot them up – Place each new division into a pot at the same depth they were in the original container, and fill in around it with soil.
Gently pack the soil around the roots as you work to fill it so there aren’t any large air pockets. Return them to a bright location that receives indirect light.
FROM CUTTINGS
Taking cuttings from rosary vines is very easy, and there’s no particular place that’s best. Any vine segment that’s 3-4” long with healthy leaves will work.
Roots will form from the leaf nodes along the stem in either water or soil. So if yours is getting too long and needs a trim, it’s a great time to give it a try.
It’s also possible to use leaf cuttings, but it will take the longest to get a full sized plant this way. Still fun to experiment though!
BY DIVISION
Division is a good way to quickly propagate string of hearts, and it has a very high success rate. There are two ways to approach it.
The rootball can be divided into large chunks and potted up into separate containers. Or, you can divide each tuber (bulb) and repot them for many new plants.
The tubers are under or along the soil line, or sometimes appear as small yellow, bulbous growths along the stems. Those are called aerial tubers and will take the longest to produce a good-sized plant.
PROPAGATING STRING OF HEARTS FROM CUTTINGS
The first thing you need to do to propagate string of hearts is learn to properly take and prepare the cuttings. It’s not difficult, but needs to be done the right way.
HOW TO CUT STRING OF HEARTS FOR PROPAGATION
Choose a 3-4” section of vine that has healthy leaves attached. Alternatively, you can take one longer segment and cut it into several sections.
Use clean precision pruners or snips to make a straight cut right above the next section of leaf joints.
If you want to try rooting individual leaves, make sure nub of the stem is still attached, or it won’t work.
Otherwise, take a 1-2” section of stem with two leaves attached. These are often called butterfly cuttings.
PREPARING THE CUTTINGS FOR PROPAGATION
Remove all leaves on the bottom two inches of the cutting. There must be at least one exposed node in order for it to work.
You should also snip off the extra empty piece of stem below the bottom node, because it will only rot.
If there are any flowers or buds, pinch them off as well. Bloom development takes energy from the cuttings, and we want them to direct it toward rooting instead.
HOW TO GROW STRING OF HEARTS FROM CUTTINGS
With your vine segments prepared, you’re ready to start. Below you’ll find detailed instructions for rooting chain of heart cuttings in either soil or water.
STEPS FOR ROOTING ROSARY VINE CUTTINGS IN SOIL
Propagating rosary vines in soil produces stronger starts fairly quickly, but requires humidity. I recommend purchasing or making a propagation box to help.
Rooting stem cuttings is the easiest, but you can also use vines that are still attached to the mother plant. Below I’ll explain how to do both.
Step 1: Prepare the soil – For best results I recommend using a well-draining medium, like a sandy cactus mix.
You could also make your own by combining equal parts potting soil, perlite or pumice, and coarse sand.
Step 2: Prepare the container – Fill a container or propagation chamber with 3-4” of slightly damp, but not soggy medium.
For cuttings, first make holes 2” into the medium. You can put several into the same container.
If you’re working with vines still attached to the mother plant, place a new pot filled with fresh soil next to it.
Step 3: Apply rooting hormone – Brush the exposed leaf nodes with rooting hormone. You could also dust the vines attached to the mother before laying them over the soil, which will help speed things up.
Step 4: Put them into the container – Place the dusted end into the holes you made, and gently pack the soil around them, ensuring the nodes are under the surface.
For vines still attached, coil them on the top of the new pot, or drape them across it. Gently pin them down so they have constant contact with the surface.
Step 5: Provide humidity – Put the lid on your propagation box, or tent a plastic bag over the top of the pot. Check every few days for excess condensation to avoid mildew.
If you’ve opted to skip the box, mist them every day to keep the top layer of the soil and cuttings just barely damp.
Step 6: Place in indirect light – String of hearts needs plenty of bright light during propagation, but direct sun could bake them. So place them near a sunny window where they will get filtered light.
Warm medium helps to speed things up, so try placing the container on a heat mat if you want them to root faster.
STEPS FOR ROOTING STRING OF HEARTS IN WATER
You can also propagate string of heart cuttings in water. However, the roots are not as hardy as they are when started in soil, and they take much longer to form.
Also, your rosary vines may have a difficult time transitioning to soil after being in water for an extended period of time. So you need to be patient.
Step 1: Fill a jar or vase – Using a clear vase is great so you can easily watch the root development. Fill it with tepid or lukewarm water.
Step 2: Add the cuttings – Ensure at least one leaf node per stem is under the water. You can place several into the same vase, but be sure no leaves are immersed or they will rot.
Step 3: Keep the water clean – Refresh the water if it gets cloudy, or as it evaporates. It should never be brown or stinky, so be sure to remove any rotted pieces if this happens.
Step 4: Wait for 1/2” long roots – Once the roots are at least a 1/2” long, it’s time to pot them up. Don’t leave them in water much longer, or they’ll have a harder time transitioning back to soil.
HOW TO PROPAGATE STRING OF HEARTS BY DIVISION
Propagating string of hearts by division is easy, and usually the fastest and most successful way to get new plants. It can be approached in a few different ways.
You can divide the rootball, separate individual bulbs in the soil, or use the aerial tubers that form along the vines.
STEPS FOR DIVIDING THE ROOTBALL
The quickest way to create larger, fuller plants is to divide the rootball into sections containing several tubers. Here’s how…
Step 1: Prepare new pots and soil – Choose a clean pot that is proportionate to the size of the division you plan to take, and also has good drainage holes.
Add a layer of well-draining or a general potting mix to the bottom of the new container, and gently pack it down.
Step 2: Gently tease apart rootball – Slide your rosary vine from its pot and work it apart into a few large chunks. It can take some time to untangle the vines and roots, so be gentle and patient with it.
Step 3: Pot them up – Place each new division into a pot at the same depth they were in the original container, and fill in around it with soil.
Gently pack the soil around the roots as you work to fill it so there aren’t any large air pockets. Return them to a bright location that receives indirect light.
@AwesomePlants I do still have the mother plant. Thank you! I love your nails! So pretty! 💅