How To Propagate String Of Hearts : [ Step By Step Process ]

If you love to decorate your house with a long trail of hanging plants, then the string of hearts can be a good option. The heart-shaped leaves on the trailing vine intensify the look of your home and make it impressive.

That is why many indoor gardeners love to keep this plant, especially in their living rooms.

But, what will you do if you notice your string of hearts become so long or scrawny? Since a hanging vine quickly loses its charisma, only propagation can fix the issue. So, here we share the effective ways to propagate your vine.

How to propagate a string of hearts?

A string of hearts can indeed lose its appeal due to the aging process. But, you do not need to fear as there are ways to solve the issues. Propagation lets you have a new string of hearts from the old one without spending a single buck.

Also, the whole method is so simple that even a newbie gardener can do it. You only need to cut the old vine, root it, and keep it in an appropriate container.

Within a few days, you will notice an entirely new plant growing from the pot. Now, you are probably wondering how is that possible? Here we have shared various ways of propagation so that you can get infinite new vines from the old one even at your home.

Water propagation of string of hearts

If you do not have a green thumb, you can try this water method to propagate your string of hearts. As this process is so simple, anyone can do this. Apart from the suppleness of the procedure, it is the most effective method.

Also, the transparent water lets you monitor the propagation thoroughly.

So, you can check the root development throughout the day. In addition to it, a pretty glass bowl containing the cutting of the string of hearts can enhance the beauty of your house.

Firstly, arrange some essential equipment so that you can complete the process smoothly. The water propagation method requires a small glass vase, a pair of sterilized scissors, and adequate water. Now, cut the old string of hearts in a way that the vine will remain a few inches long. Now you need to take the vine pieces and keep them in the water vase.
The process requires a few precautions. One of the preventive measures is snipping off the leaves from those parts of every cutting that stay underwater. The safeguard can prevent the leaves from rot and help the water stay clean. But, try to keep the leaves of the upper part of each cutting intact.
Now, your work is over. All you have to do is hold some patience and place the vase in a bright warm area.
The roots can appear anytime between a few days to a couple of weeks. At this part, the gardener should not lose patience, as the time varies considering several factors. Temperature and light differences can delay root development. Also, the caretaker needs to change the water if it gets murky.
But, if the method works successfully, you will see tiny strands of root coming from the immersed nodes of the elegant vine.
If you take several cuttings from your string of hearts, you will see a fuller vine from the very beginning. It will increase the look of your drawing room.
After the cuttings start to root and get almost ½ inches long, you can place them in a pot with soil.
After a successful propagation and potting, make sure you provide an apt atmosphere for the vine to grow fast.

The soil method is also simple

Many gardeners prefer their vines in decorative, elegant containers rather than vases. The soil method is for them.

Through this propagation process, you can get infinite numbers of new vines from the old ones.

Also, the soil method is the simple way to breed your plant when the ivy has grown too long. For instance, your vine has thrived gawky and so long, and you want to cut its height.

In that case, the soil method will give you a chance to give the old string of hearts a fuller look in that same tub. Here we have shared how you can do it.

You can cut the ivy the way you like. Unlike, water method, there is no specific way to snip off the long string of hearts. It makes the process simpler.
Now you need to pluck all the leaves of the plant from the side you will plant. Then, place the cutting in the mold with the help of a stick. Since the cutting has no roots, it cannot stand still on its own.
While planting the string of hearts, ensure that at least a few nodes of the vine touch the soil. The nodes or the little bumps on the ivy grow roots and leaves.
Now you only need to spray the bottom part of the vine once a day or as required. Adequate hydration promotes faster rooting. Since extreme moisture can hinder the growth of the radicle, you need to avoid overwatering.
Also, the caregiver needs to monitor the propagated vine constantly, as any mistake during this phase can kill the plant. But, if you provide the perfect environment to the string of hearts, it will grow roots within a few days.
Once you see new roots start growing from the nodes of the ivy, your job is complete. Now, wait for a few weeks or months to have a fuller and decorative string of hearts. It will magnify the beauty of your room a thousand times better.

The popular tuber method

If you have a string of hearts, you have probably noticed some tiny, beads-like swellings on the plant.

You may have wondered what those are or presume them as parasites or diseases. But, they are aerial tubers. These tubers help the gardener to propagate the vine.

It may sound like a difficult task, but this procedure is also simple like the other two methods. Here we have penned them down in detail on how you can grow your string of hearts by the tuber method.

To perform the task effectively, you first need to find the biggest tuber on your trailing ivy. It will increase the chance of successful propagation. If you spot a fingernail-sized bead on the plant, it will be good.
After locating the appropriate tuber, there are two options for you. Either leave the bead on the ivy or place it in the soil.
According to the first option, you do not need to remove the tuber from the string of hearts. You leave it there and only press it into the mold. The method is the most effective one, as it has a 100% chance to succeed. In this case, the tuber starts rooting and developing more plants gradually.
But, in the plucking method, you have to detach the aerial tuber from the delicate ivy. Then plant the bead in the soil. While snipping off the tuber, you need to make sure that it has a decent amount of foliage on it. That will increase the chance of survival.
In either way of propagation, daily misting is compulsory. Spray enough water to keep the soil slightly soggy.
In the tuber method, you can expect rooting within a few weeks like other methods.
There is nothing to worry about if your tuber takes a bit more time to root or sprout. Since growing vines from tubers depend on several factors, the time can differ.

How long does it take a string of hearts to root?

Even though there is no specific time limit, the rooting of the string of hearts can take more or less three weeks. There are several ways to propagate your vines, but every method takes almost equal time to develop roots.

The rooting procedure depends on multiple environmental factors, such as temperature and light. An appropriate atmosphere helps your tiny delicate vine to grow roots faster.

So, people with green fingers always suggest placing the propagation container in a bright place with indirect sun.

The area should not be hot since that could kill the vine cuttings. You can consider the window sill as the perfect place for propagation.

Also, make sure that at least one node of the string of hearts submerges in the water because the roots grow from that node. If you provide the perfect atmosphere to the graceful vines, they will start to root within 2-3 weeks after propagation.

Is it easy to propagate String of Hearts?

Yes, anyone can swiftly propagate a string of hearts either from cuttings or from a tuber. Since growing the ivy is no rocket science, even an inexperienced gardener can do it smoothly. If you follow the cutting method, you only need to place the cuttings of the old trailing vine in water or soil.

Then after waiting for almost 2-3 weeks, you will notice tiny roots coming out from the root nodes.

You can also try the simple tuber propagation method. To perform this procedure, plant the aerial tuber of the magnificent vine to grow a new string of hearts. Long story short, propagating the elegant thriving vine is so easy.

What is the best time to propagate a string of hearts?

Summer is the appropriate season to grow a string of hearts, although you can propagate the vine anytime except winter and autumn. Based on our experiences and research, we can tell you that summer is the perfect season to grow your trailing string of hearts.

It is because adequate temperature and bright sun help the vine with chains of heart-shaped leaves thrive rapidly.

Also, being a semi-succulent vine, a string of hearts need dry soil and a moderately arid atmosphere. That is why it thrives faster in the sunny season. Even this appealing vine enters a dormant phase during winter and autumn.

Bottom line

Maybe you are upset at the look of your favorite crawling ivy as it gets old, or you want to give your best friend some tiny seedlings of a string of hearts.

Only propagation can fix all these issues. Since propagating the pretty vine is so simple, anyone can do it even at home.

You can follow the propagation procedures we have shared here to get new plants from the old ones free of cost.