Necklace of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) is a lovely hanging plant also known as rosary vine, cord of hearts or string of hearts, it is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding climbing plants you can grow indoors. In this article, we will give you information on how to propagate, cultivate Heart Necklace and its care.
Contents
Basic Features
Ceropegia woodii is an evergreen South African vine. Although it is commonly called a succulent, it is not.
The heart-shaped leaves that form in pairs along the long, hanging vines give the plant its common name. Each leaf is dark green above and purple below, with silver or pale mottling.
Its vines can reach up to 3 meters in length in the right conditions. They come from bulbous tubers that grow underground.
How to Propagate Heart Necklace
Propagation by cuttings in water
Cut a few stumps from the mother plant at least 10cm long. The roots will grow from the nodes (where the leaves grow), so you should have at least one node submerged in water. Cut the leaves from the end of the stump that will be submerged in water.
The water should be at room temperature. Pour the water into a glass or clear container that you have on hand. Put them in water and place them in a warm place with lots of indirect light.
Check them often, you can see roots developing in a week or two, but it can also take longer. It all depends on the time of year and growing conditions. As long as it doesn’t rot, it’s fine.
Change the water every two weeks or so, or when you see it turn cloudy. Once the roots are about 1cm long, you can plant it in the ground.
Propagation by cuttings in the ground
Prepare the cuttings the same way you would for propagation in water. Cut the sprig and remove the leaves.
Prepare fresh potting soil (general potting soil is fine, succulent or cactus mix is fine), water it so it’s moist (not wet), and lay the sprigs down. The leafless node should be in the ground, but not too deep, an inch or two is fine.
You can soak the filament in rooting hormone before putting it in the ground, but it is not necessary.
Place the pot in a clear enclosure or bag so there is plenty of moisture around the plant. Check the floor regularly, as it should be constantly moist (not wet).
The plant should take root in a few weeks. As long as the stem looks healthy and you don’t notice it rotting, the plant should root, even if it takes a little longer.
Ideal conditions for growing the heart necklace
Before learning how to grow a heart necklace, it is necessary to know where it will grow best. They can thrive for many years if they choose the right location.
Temperature
These vines are often grown as houseplants because they are only hardy to temperatures above 5 degrees Celsius. They cannot survive temperatures below this and are quickly killed by frost.
They can withstand short periods of cooler weather outdoors. But they will start to suffer if the temperature is below 10°C for a long time.
In milder climates, you can take them outside in the summer to take advantage of the heat and humidity. Remember to bring them inside before it gets too cold for them.
light / sun
It is a plant with a lot of light. Therefore, give her at least some direct sunlight when growing her indoors. If you don’t give it enough light, the area between the leaves will expand. This will make the plant lean.
This factory is not, by nature, the busiest nor the busiest. Therefore, having less light will make it rarer.
So, if possible, give this plant as much sun as possible, or at least a few hours.
Usually I
He will be very happy with a combination of equal parts succulents and fibers from cactus and coconut. To prevent the tubers from rotting, make sure the mixture drains well. A mixture stuck in the pot will surely cause your plant to rot.
You can buy a succulent/cactus potting mix. Or, you can quickly create your optimal combination.
All you have to do is mix equal parts of regular potting soil, coarse sand and pumice or perlite. It will be ready in no time if you put measured amounts into a container.
Maintenance of the Heart Necklace
Irrigation
Rosary roots and leaves are excellent at retaining moisture. This makes it a drought-tolerant plant that requires little water.
Wait for the growing medium to dry (at least the top quarter of the potting soil should be dry) before watering again.
When you water it, do it carefully until the water runs out of the holes in the pot. If you don’t, it will cause a lot of trouble and the death of your plant.
When growth slows or stops completely in winter, it is recommended to let it dry out before watering it again.
During months of active growth, allow only the top quarter of the potting mix to dry out before watering again.
Finally, NEVER let this plant sit in water and NEVER grow it in pots that do not have drainage holes.
Fertilizer
The necklace of hearts does not need constant fertilization. But occasional feeding can revitalize them and encourage later flowering.
Chemicals should be avoided as they can cause the compost to burn. Instead, use natural liquid compost, such as compost tea or houseplant compost. See: liquid fertilizers
Fertilize only in spring and summer and stop feeding completely in fall and winter.
Cut
Trimming shouldn’t be part of your regular grooming regimen. However, it is an effective strategy for controlling long vines and encouraging fuller growth.
Ideally, prune the vines in the spring, when they are most active. They hold up well to trimming, so you can cut them to any length you want.
Use a pair of sharp, sterilized micro-clippers or precision scissors to cut the vines to the desired length.
Transplant
This plant does not need to be repotted very often as it thrives in pots. It’s time to move it to a new container if the roots start coming out of the drainage holes.
Transplanting is best done in spring or summer. Choose a slightly larger container than the existing one. Make sure the bottom has enough drainage holes.
It’s a good idea to revitalize the soil by gently adding a slow-release granular fertilizer if it hasn’t been transplanted for a few years.
harmful
A healthy Ceropegia woodii plant rarely has pest problems. But, aphids and scale insects can sometimes cause problems.
If you see any of these pests, wash the leaves and vines with a teaspoon of mild liquid soap and 1 liter of water.
Plant bugs are also easily controlled with a neem oil spray. Especially for long term pest control or recurring infestations.
It may be interesting to read: 3 methods to easily propagate ferns (division, stolons and spores)
You can also use cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol and clean the leaves with it to eradicate insects. This can help relieve an infestation quickly.
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