String of hearts propagation

Ceropegia woodii – better known as string of hearts – is a popular trailing plant with lovely heart-shaped leaves. Its vines grow long quickly, but if you want a fuller plant, propagation is the way to go. And luckily, it’s super easy.

What do you need?

  • A healthy string of hearts

  • Scissors

  • Disinfectant or pure alcohol

  • Glass or vase with water

  • Optional: rooting hormone

Propagating string of hearts in 4 easy steps

1. Clean your scissors

Wash your scissors with hot water and soap. Then use disinfectant or alcohol to kill any bacteria or fungi.

2. Cut a few stems

Snip one or more stems of at least 10 cm long. The more you propagate, the higher your success rate.

3. Place the cuttings in water

Put the cuttings in a glass or vase with water. Make sure no leaves touch the water – they’ll rot and drain energy from your cutting. Remove any leaves that might sit below the waterline.

4. Wait for roots and pot up

After a few weeks, roots will appear. Once they’re about 3 to 5 cm long, move the cuttings to a pot with fresh soil. Keep the soil slightly moist. Your cutting will start growing new leaves in no time.

Tips for propagating string of hearts

  • When: spring or summer

  • Light: bright indirect light

  • Water: keep soil lightly moist after potting

  • Patience: root growth may take 2 to 4 weeks

  • Bonus tip: do you see tubers forming on older vines? Cut them off and gently push them into soil. With a bit of luck, they’ll grow into new plants.

Frequently asked question

Do I need to propagate in water?

Water works best for string of hearts. It speeds up root growth and makes it easy to track progress. You can also propagate in soil, but make sure to keep humidity high.

Looking for a new string of hearts?

Check out our full collection of trailing plants.

These tips are based on our own experience with propagating. All methods are tested in our plant studio and work well for beginners too.

Want to explore more propagation tips? Check out our other step-by-step plant guides.

Follow us on Instagram