Like some other vines, you can also Grow a String of Hearts in Water. This is one of the easiest to grow this succulent without worrying about root rot.
Also popular as the Rosary vine (Ceropegia woodii), the String of Hearts can grow as long as 10, thanks to its trailing habit. The vine cascades beautifully and stores water in its leaves. If you propagate it in water, there is a trick to do it, which is shared below in this article.
Why Grow String of Hearts in Water?
Here are the definite perks to growing the sweetheart vine in water.
1. No Risk of Overwatering
Being an epiphyte, String of Hearts can better tolerate infrequent watering than consistently wet soil.
You can avoid that just by growing this plant in water! Does it sound counterintuitive? It won’t if you follow the correct technique!
2. Amazing Aesthetic Appeal
String of Hearts is really all the decor you need to instantly add elegance to any room. Grow this vine in a simple glass jar with water, paired with some beautiful Pothos, Peace Lily, Philodendrons, and more, growing as well in water.
3. Easy to Monitor
Once your plants get root rot, they can seldom be shaken off as you cannot monitor the roots under the soil. The String of Hearts is quite susceptible to it, so growing it in water can be a holy grail of a solution as you can easily monitor the bottom growth while changing the water.
Steps to Growing String of Hearts in Water
Step 1: Choose Healthy Cuttings
The first step is to select a healthy mother plant from which you can take your cuttings, either by using your fingers or with a pair of sharp, sterilized scissors. If you are a beginner, use the tool.
You can take a cutting that contains a few leaves and at least two nodes, as this is where new growth occurs. Make sure you take more than one cutting for better chances of success.
It’s also important to let the cut ends heal and callus for at least 24 hours before planting in water; otherwise, your propagation will not be successful.
Step 2: Select a Jar
Generally, you should take cuttings about 3-5 inches in length. Only the node needs to be in water, so select a small vase or jar. You could get one of these easily in your nearby dollar store or craft store.
If you already have jars or cute ̌champagne glasses in the house, clean them thoroughly before using them. Test tubes in a test tube rack also look charming when growing String of Hearts in water.
Step 3: Change the Water Regularly
This is one of the most crucial steps that you simply must not miss. You do not want your pretty String of Hearts cuttings in murky water at all. The rule of thumb is to change the water every 3 to 7 days.
Try using filtered or distilled water instead of tap water for even better results, as tap water may contain calcium and chlorine.
Step 4: Provide The Right Temperature and Humidity Levels
As a succulent native to African nations like Zimbabwe and South Africa, the sweetheart vine likes warm temperatures and high humidity levels. The ideal temperature range for this plant is between 60°F (15°C) and 80°F (27°C).
As long as your indoor temperature is warm enough, your cuttings will propagate and grow quite happily.
Step 5: Provide Perfect Lighting
You’ll need a spot in your home with bright, filtered light to grow this succulent vine in water. So, place your cuttings in water either near a south, west, or east-facing window.
The plant should be about a foot or two away from the south exposure, giving it enough warmth and appropriate lighting. An east-facing window is best as it gets gentle light in the mornings.
Step 6: Growing Hydroponically
After being in the water for 2-4 weeks, your cuttings will form roots. This is when you can decide whether to transplant your cuttings into the soil or continue growing them in water.
Bonus Tips!
- Though you can propagate String of Heart throughout the year, doing it during the active growing seasons of spring and summer will give you the best chances for success.
- Always ensure that your cuttings are directed towards the light so that they absorb it and grow better.
- Delicate sunlight can scorch the delicate vines, especially when growing it in water, so provide it indirect light.
