How to Propagate String of Hearts

Ceropegia woodii · Also called Rosary Vine

String of hearts roots readily along its trailing stems, and many vines already carry small potato-like nodules called tubers where roots form naturally. Cuttings taken near one of these tubers root fastest and most reliably.

Which method should you use?

Laying a cutting on soil is the most reliable approach for this vine; water works too but transitions less smoothly than with sturdier succulents.

Stem cutting on soil (best method)

1. Cut a 4–6 inch length of vine. If you can include a visible tuber, do — otherwise any node works.
2. Let the cutting dry 1 day so the cut end calluses.
3. Coil the cutting on top of dry succulent mix, pressing nodes lightly into contact with the surface. Don’t bury it.
4. Mist lightly every few days rather than watering heavily.
5. Roots emerge from the nodes in 2–3 weeks.

Water propagation

1. Take the same cutting and strip any leaves that would sit below the waterline.
2. Rest the stem in a shallow glass of water.
3. Change water every few days; pot into dry succulent mix once roots reach about an inch.

When to propagate

Spring and summer for fastest rooting. This plant is fairly tolerant of timing compared to most succulents.

Common problems

The cutting rotted. Too much moisture. Mist lightly rather than watering, and let the soil surface dry between mistings.

No roots after a month. Try including a tuber in the next cutting, or ensure more of the vine’s nodes are touching the soil surface.

The vine is thin with widely spaced leaves. Needs more light — bright indirect to a little gentle direct sun keeps this plant compact.

Questions people ask

What are the little potato-like bumps on the vine? Those are tubers, storage organs the plant forms naturally along mature stems. They root and grow new plants especially readily.

Is it toxic? Mildly toxic to pets if eaten.

Related

Succulents & cacti hub · Similar plants: String of Pearls, String of Bananas, Hoya