The String of Hearts, also known as the “Rosary Vine,” boasts sprawling vines that can quickly become uncontrollable. Propagation lets you handle vines that have grown too long because you can shorten them and create new plants.
The possible results of propagation are new, individual plants or a complete parent plant. Regular String of Hearts has a high success rate in propagation; however, variegations might be difficult.
In this guide, we will explore multiple ways to propagate the Rosary Vine. First, choose the one that is most convenient for you. Then, let’s cut to it.
Methods of Propagation
There are several ways you can propagate your String of Hearts. Let’s examine four ways to do it efficiently.
Propagating Strings of Heart Through Tubers
Aerial tubers are small round growths, similar to potatoes, which you can use to produce new vines.
Find the biggest tuber on your plant that should be the size of a nail. You can either press the tuber in the soil still attached to the original plant or remove it from the main vine. Leaving the tuber on the vine has the highest success rate because it becomes rooted and begins to germinate.
If you decide to grow the tubers from the mother plant, partially bury the tubers. Once the roots are formed, remove the tuber from the original plant.
If you choose to entirely remove the tuber, ensure it has leaves left on it. You can separate the tubers and plant them in various pots or remove the root system, break the root ball, and plant fresh soil.
Keep the soil a little moist by spraying it daily. The tuber is expected to take root within a few weeks. Vines can take a while to germinate because a robust root system is critical for plant growth. Move the pot to a bright window and give it time to grow.
Propagating Using the Butterfly Method
The butterfly method is one of the most efficient propagation methods and involves cutting the nodes that come out of the foliage. It maximizes the amount of plant material available. While you may have to make an effort, this technique is worth it since the cuttings will produce vines and get a fuller plant.
Most methods of propagation lead to different offspring of the mother plant. However, when you use the butterfly method, your variegated vines succeed in maintaining their distinctive characteristics.
First of all, do butterfly cuttings. Find out where pairs of leaves meet the vine and cut on both sides. Take as many cuttings as you like, and make sure you snip at least ⅓ inches per side. Then, place the cuttings straight into the soil or use sphagnum moss.
Propagating Through Seeds
The String of Hearts has odd-looking flowers which resemble flamingo heads. If they are pollinated, seed pods develop. Please wait until the seed pods open themselves and the seeds start falling off. Then, gather the seeds and plant them in damp soil.
We recommend the use of a unique potting mix for germination. Keep in a bright spot. You’ll notice growth a few weeks down the road. Indoor Rosary Vines do not bloom readily, so if you wish to try this method, buy seeds from nurseries or online.
Leaf Propagation of String of Hearts
Propagating the Rosary from one leaf is a fun method that requires a lot of patience. However, the success rate for this method is low. Your leaf may produce roots but not survive long after that.
Select a healthy leaf for successful propagation. Begin by placing one leaf directly into the soil or your preferred environment. Maintain a high humidity level, but keep the leaf dry to prevent it from rotting. Roots should develop within a few weeks, but new growth can take longer.
Propagation Mediums
Let’s talk about the various propagation mediums and how we can make the best of them.
Propagating Strings of Heart In Water
Water propagation is a fun and easy way to propagate your String of hearts. The best part of this method is that you can keep up with the progress of the rooting process. To get started, you’re going to need:
● A tiny vase
● Clean scissors
● Water
Cut the vine segments you would like to root and place them in a vase filled with water. The cuttings need to be a few centimeters long. If you need a fuller plant, get more cuttings. Be sure to have one or several submerged nodes because the roots emerge from the nodes.
To avoid the decay of the leaves and keep your water cool:
- Tear off the leaves that will be immersed.
- Change the water every week; you can change it more often if it starts to turn cloudy.
- Move the vase to a warm place with lots of bright yet indirect light.
The roots are going to appear within a few weeks. Once the vines have grown, you can leave them in the vase or put them in a pot. If you decide to pot your plants, use well-draining soil.
Propagating Rosary Vine In Soil
Propagation in the soil is perfect if you would like to shorten long and scraggly vines or your plant to attain a fuller look in the same container. There are several ways you can propagate your String of Hearts using soil.
- Stick the Cuttings Into the Soil
Cut off the vines. Ensure that the vines have some leaves or at least some nodes for the leaves or roots to develop. Plant the vines in the soil and be careful to let the soil cover the nodes. You may want to add rooting hormone to stimulate root growth.
Spray parts that have contact with the soil with water once a day to promote rooting. The new growth should be visible within several weeks. Use a standard cactus soil mix or combine the soil and perlite into two equal portions for a quick-draining mix. Water your plant carefully and keep the soil lightly moist.
Choose a pot with drainage holes at the bottom because stagnant water may lead to root rot. We recommend terra cotta planters because they improve the evaporation of water through the absorbent sides. You can also add activated charcoal to soak up excess water, especially if your pot has no drain holes.
- Lay the Cuttings on the Soil
Take your cuttings and place them in a horizontal position on the ground. Check to see if they are in direct contact with the soil. Use paper clips to hold cuttings in place and maintain contact with the soil.
If you use this method, increase the moisture to allow the roots to grow; otherwise, the cuttings will dry up. You can increase the humidity by grouping plants and placing them in wet areas such as bathrooms. You can also utilize humidifiers.
- Use Strands to Propagate in the Same Pot
This method is practical and could be time-consuming. Before you begin, ensure that the soil is damp. Then, take the hanging vineyards, wrap them around the surface soil, and secure them with paper clips or hairpins.
Make sure you don’t cut the strands. Keep the plant moist through the rooting process by placing it in a sealed, clear plastic bag. You can also spray the soil frequently using a spray bottle. Keep the bag out of direct sunlight to prevent overheating.
Open the bag every two or three days to remove excess air or humidity. Once your plant is rooted, move the pot to a sunny place where it can get a few hours of direct sunlight. The roots will eventually form, leading to a fuller plant.
Sphagnum Moss Method
Propagation in sphagnum moss is relatively rapid, and growth has been observed in as little as a week. You may use strands, cuttings, or the butterfly method. Use a transparent container or any container, provided it has a fine foil or cover.
If not, put the sphagnum moss in a small plastic jar and place it in a transparent ziplock bag. Add dry sphagnum moss to a bowl and soak in hot water for about five minutes. Remove the moss and squeeze out any excess water.
Place the moist sphagnum moss on a tray. Carefully place cuttings or strands on the moss, ensuring that the nodes are in direct contact with the moss and that the leaves rest on the surface.
Place a transparent lid on top of the container and move it to a bright place. Open the vessel from time to time to allow fresh air to enter. Avoid the direct sun since it may kill your plants due to excessive heat. Once the roots are approximately one inch long, transfer your plant into the soil.
Additional Tips
● Heat accelerates the propagation; use a heating mat to expedite the process.
● Once your cuttings start to produce vines, dispose of plastic bags.
● Keep it wet if you want the rooting to happen.
● Then, propagate your String of Hearts during the springtime growing season.
Bottom Line
The propagation of the Rosary vine is manageable, and with a bit of creativity, you can also find other ways to multiply this vine.
Last update on 2023-10-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
