Ceropegia Woodii - String of Hearts Variegated Care Tips and Propagation - WITH SATISFYING UPDATES!

The Ceropegia wood (Best known as string of hearts) was a hit plant a few years ago, but its beauty and interesting growth habit is everlasting if you ask me. The care for this is extremely challenging in my high humid climate. In this episode, I share the full care tips and propagate this in soil and in water (with updates at the end). Disclaimer: I did neglect the mother plants and they were in the worst possible condition to propagate, but I did manage to get many plants out of this! I also cover both the regular and variegated variety in this episode!
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[@heidimorse2164]

Hi, from South Africa, Nelspruit, I have them growing all over in my garden. They like to be neglected and forgotten. I was gifted a cutting with a reddish leaf, the leaf is thicker and smaller than the green form and a slow grower.

[@onlyplants]

Hey, they are endemic there if I’m not wrong. I’ve been to Hoedspruit and it is so lovely there. South Africa is so gorgeous!

[@vk777.86]

Lol...I seem to kill them. Are they in full sun? I obviously kill mine by pampering

[@heidimorse2164]

@@vk777.86 No shade and little water. They like to be dry before next watering

[@vk777.86]

Thanks Heidi. I just know that Helspruit is very hot and if growing all over your garden I assumed they were in sun. Mine is in a hanging basket under a tree.

[@jopem100]

@@heidimorse2164 hey there I have recently reported my vsoh & all the new growth is light green now. Do u have any suggestions? 💕

[@geslinam9703]

I love these plants, have one that is over 20 years old. Every couple years I cut it back, it’s high up on a shelf under a skylight and a pain to water, so I definitely underwater and it just thrives. It’s also in a room that had a major mealy bug outbreak and it never got mealy bugs. It is one of the easiest plants to grow. I also have several other younger plants in smaller pots, but no matter how much light I give them, they always get sparse on the top, even with direct light on the top. I think this spring I’m going to cut them all back and repot in a great aroid soil I just started using, because another thing I noticed is that, maybe because of the tubers, the soil mix always gets hard and compacted with these plants. I spent good money on a variegated one a few years ago…been very, very happy with it…but noticed this year it’s putting out a lot of non-variegated stems😡

[@onlyplants]

A fantastic share! I enjoyed reading it ❤️

[@greenleaves6340]

I have propagated lots🤗. At first it needs to be water a bit more but once it forms tubers (mine is 2 inches from last repot) the watering become lesser. Very loose soil (like seed starting mix) is helpful for starting a new plant. More bright light makes the color into a vibrant pink and also fatter leaves😁 bonus are the blooms that turns to long skinny pods and when open seeds with feathery cork screw 😅. If you plan to buy get the Variegated established one because some will revert to green then you get 2 variety🤗.

[@onlyplants]

Tons of good tips here!!

[@theonyxblack]

I love propagating and your videos are so satisfying. Ceropegia woodii is one of my favorite trailing plants

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu

[@ufarazuwasti]

Hi, Indonesian here living in the US. Seneng banget liat akun orang Indo discussing about succulent! Aku baru propagate SOH minggu lalu; let’s see! I love how your account is very realistic and relatable. Keep posting!

[@onlyplants]

Wowww so nice to live in the states 😌 I miss it there. Succulents really thrive in your climate

[@ufarazuwasti]

@@onlyplants wish i could say the same! im still learning … 6 months into this world, im in NJ, and winter was difficult for these plants! plenty died; but hey, now i know which ones are more beginner’s friendly.

[@Zhuntress]

Hey sean. I’ve learned the butterfly method from u a long time ago and i swear one tiny pot of string of hearts that i started with has now become several pots! And their strings are sooo long now 🤍

[@onlyplants]

Whoaaa thats nice to hear!

[@sandragoerlich7134]

Thanks Sean for sharing the care and tips to keep this hearts healthy and happy!!!

[@deborah4696]

Thanks for the lighting advice. I have some hanging against an undercover wall and they’re not thriving at all, lots of bald spots and now I know why. Moving them today!

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@ambervon3341]

Hi from Malaysia. Yes, mine is attacked by mealybugs constantly. I now give them neem oil massages once every few days. About propagations on succulent soil: I have tried many succulent propagations this way, and they have all failed. Right now I'm trying out peat soil or normal garden soil to propagate the babies, and watering once every 2 days (in terracotta pots), and (fingers crossed) they seem to do much better than ever!

[@onlyplants]

Yeahh it takes a few attempts to get the condition right. Everyones environment and watering style is different too. Try a few methods and see which works best for you.

[@melbuttons8740]

Hi thank you so much for your easy instructions, l had one plant that l thought l had killed 😕 but when I removed it from the pot l found 12 tubers 4 were the size of walnuts 😊 l have followed your instructions, so wish me luck 🐦🌿🌿

[@onlyplants]

Sweet you can turn it into many plants easily 😀

[@alyphim]

I'm getting a var. string of hearts soon so this is perfect timing! I just found your channel recently and I'm in love with your quality content. Hope this comment and the last couple of days binge-watching your videos will give the algorithm a little nudge ;)

[@onlyplants]

Yessss these comments help push the algorithm forward! Thank you

[@hollypuckett3931]

Was just admiring my Silver Glory about 10 minutes ago. Such a fascinating plant

[@bigtomatoplantslover6205]

Lovely Plants ^^ Thank you for good sharing~ Like 149 My friend, have a good day

[@maiyeng]

Thank you for the informative video, it is just what I am looking for- to propragate SOH.

[@zenthumb]

I really need this. Mine kept dying or they just look sad. I really don't like it when plants wants a different watering schedule from the other plants. Such Divas. LOL

[@onlyplants]

Haha we have to keep propagating these. One of the ways to ensure its survival

[@DionneRoxanne]

The 2" pot I have is suddenly jam packed full of the tubers or caduceus to the point where I don't see any soil. I just put a little bit of soil on top about a week ago. I'm thinking I should probably repot. I took some cuttings to do the butterfly method in Fluval Stratum (for shrimp) instead of soil or moss and it's working really well! I have some little babies popping up 😁 After watching this video, I realize I'm underwatering since my newest leaves are small and shriveled or maybe there's not enough soil to retain moisture. Thank you for this video. It was very helpful, esp since you provided updates and we got to see the results immediately.

[@onlyplants]

Whoaaa the jam packed caudex must be a feast for the eyes. I love watching root bound pots!

[@Pottedplantsandcookingpots]

I'm in Australia and my green string of hearts is growing massively & bushy it's more than 2mtrs long, bought it August 2021 from a small plant. I recently bought the Variegated one it is a bit harder to come by here, but it's now in the process of growing. They often put out flowers and they looked like a tiny water jugs.

[@onlyplants]

The flowers are so dang cute. Its wise to propagate the massive one for insurance. Its quite easy to lose them suddenly.

[@spenc._.]

YES THANK YOU SEAN I KEPT LOOKING FOR A STRING OF HEARTS VIDEO FROM YOU AS SOON AS I GOT MINE BUT I COULDNT FIND ONE, now I know it’s because it didn’t exist hehe

[@onlyplants]

Haha thank youu

[@bunnypop6018]

Thanks for the video. I've killed all my string of hearts except for the silver glory. The butterfly methodology propagation looks interesting and I better try that before the last plant dies 😄

[@aswathi95]

My SOH leaves are small, curled and looks thin.I don't know what is the reason-water or light.I have planted in a terracotta pot with good drainage

[@onlyplants]

It could be either over or underwatering… did the leaves that die feel crisphy/dry or were they rotten/mush?

[@aswathi95]

@@onlyplants I think leaves are dry not rotten or mushy

[@mervetunc1333]

Benim dilimi anlayabilirseniz.sorumu cevaplarsaniz sevinirim.neden pembe ve beyaz yaprakli dallar birden yesil yaprağa dönüşüyorlar.yeterince isik almalarına ragmen

[@onlyplants]

It has reverted from variegated to non-variegated. It is usually caused by insufficient light, but there are many other possibilities such as nutrients (too much nitrogen) or luck 😀

[@erica7798]

I have the green one. When I got it from the store it’s super dry so when I got home I watered it. I noticed that the soil they’re in retains water too long so I had to changed the soil mix. I hope It won’t die on me because I see some leaves turning yellow at the top. I haven’t watered it ever since….

[@onlyplants]

Wooh its easier to propagate it than to repot

[@zalehaburude7752]

What a pretty String of heart....💞💞💞 Thank you....Sean.

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@starr.singean]

Gonna try the butterfly method on my variegated string of hearts next!

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@trudyb.1187]

Hi from NL, Canada. Love your videos. So much information. I have one of each kind. Thanks

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu

[@cbapl6429]

Enjoyed your video this is my favorite plant ever , I don’t always have the best luck with them tho lol

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@pilitathomason6993]

They are so easy, I got both type I’m looking for the silver one to complete my collection. Thanks Sean.

[@onlyplants]

I’ve never seen the silver ones in Indonesia… but yeah theres also a reverse variegated one if Im not wrong. Gaaaah I want to collect all of them haha

[@PlantyMessyHypsie]

Hi from Long Island, again. I have a few prop pots of vsoh right now. They are so satisfying! But I never have luck getting SOH or String of Pearls to root up in water. Any tips?

[@onlyplants]

You need a few bare nodes in the water with 2-3 leaves on the top per cutting. Bright indirect light. In a small vessel of water thats topped up often, but changed every 3-4 weeks. I personally think they propagate faster and better with the butterfly method. I have 5 pots now! 😀

[@PlantyMessyHypsie]

@@onlyplants Thanks! Never enough! I just wanted to keep a single little vine in a tiny vase. I want them everywhere.

[@AroidDistrict]

Once they grow a caudex, they are very drought tolerant. The flowers eventually grow feathery seeds that fly away in the wind. Thanks for going back to common species every now n then.

[@spenc._.]

SOHs flower?? And are caudex equivalent to seeds, like can you propagate them? Do you mind elaborating on caudex I’m not familiar with it

[@onlyplants]

Wow wow thank you for that share! Thats such a nice thought that the seeds can disperse in the wind!

[@onlyplants]

All plants flower, except maybe ferns and underwater plants which can do spores. Caudex is basically like a potato… its neither a trunk nor roots. They store energy and water for the plant for drought periods, thats why they can actually rot if exposed to too much water. Many caudex also will develop growth buds allowing the plant to send out new branches/vines.

[@spenc._.]

@@onlyplants oh wow! that's so interesting, plants are fascinating creatures, thanks Sean! (note to self: do not try to propagate big hard potato ball lol)

[@angelavanwynter4157]

I'm in Oz & mealy-bugs took out my chain over night! :( ...I'm currently dealing with spider-mites on my new one.

[@onlyplants]

Oh yeahh they are loved by mealy bugs. Also rats love to eat them lol

[@angelavanwynter4157]

@@onlyplants RATS?!... this is the first I'm hearing of this!... half the animals in my country are trying to kill me already. Anything else I should know?! OMFG!!!

[@missesraisin]

Propagating with running water and lava rock is the fastest method to get strong roots.

[@onlyplants]

Wooh sounds like a condition they really love!

[@Debble]

Even a single leaf will grow a nice tubular for you! I have quite a few single leaf plants now😋

[@onlyplants]

Yes they are so much fun to propagate. Though in my busy lifestyle its difficult to keep alive haha

[@evaparker7142]

How would they do if you just pot a short string of the plant on peat moss? Also do you need to have a cover on them till they start rooting?

[@onlyplants]

They should root well! And no I found that they dont need covering at all. With moist medium under the leaves they can start pushing out roots automatically

[@cefcat5733]

I have one strand left. This will help. Maybe Winter did that. Thanks.

[@onlyplants]

Try water propagating the strand

[@cefcat5733]

@@onlyplants OK. We will see. Thanks.

[@kmj654]

From Singapore and I have both green and variety, but I never got pest problems...lucky me haha

[@onlyplants]

Very lucky haha. But we should knock on wood

[@delsiashanmugaum4848]

Liked your detailed video. How often do you water it in a week. I live in a tropical place, i.e Mumbai

[@onlyplants]

I water it lightly everyday. Keep in mind they like it cooler temperature if you can provide it. They are easy to rot in the high heat and humidity combination

[@milagrosgomez7910]

Hi Sean mine is the green one with flowers now, I would like to have the variegated. Maybe I can see on September 18, 2022 Hopping thanks... Correction on my last comment., it is September 18 2022 Sorry I will be in Bandong on this date to buy some plants. Thanks.

[@onlyplants]

You should be able to find the variegated string of hearts there in a succulent nursery 🥰

[@pstahr23]

i wish i could hang out here all day. serotonin overdose!

[@onlyplants]

❤️

[@Brownybonbon]

I'm from palembang, Indonesia and mine dued because of mealybugs . I'm planning on buying a new one a bigger one hopefully

[@onlyplants]

Ooh yes in Indonesia, mealy bugs (and rats) love to eat them.

[@Brownybonbon]

@@onlyplants ugh rats I lost lots of plants because of them

[@Brownybonbon]

@@onlyplants just bought one on tokped alongnwith string of pearls and a sedum

[@happinessinleaf]

Thanks for sharing 👍. Happiness in leaf 🍃 vlog

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu ❤️💕

[@eltonzhang5241]

@14:30 just wondering if the little blue grains are just part of the mix or some sort of propogation additive?

[@onlyplants]

Those are carbofuran, a powerful and harmful pesticide.

[@SL-ur7vt]

Which method you like most?

[@onlyplants]

I like putting the cut “butterflies” on moss and wait for it to sprout leaves and root ❤️

[@HelenMcLean]

I have a question about the varigated version as I'm not sure what I have. Is the variegated ones also with darker purple under the leaves? I see you showing the pale green/cream with pink version, and then showing the all green version, but not sure what the purple under leaf variety is classed as. Thank you in advance 🙏

[@onlyplants]

Woooh Im not sure… but there are many many varieties of them

[@jeffro2828]

I find my non-variegated get quite purple on the underside when they’re dehydrated

[@deborahmcsweeney1650]

So I have some strings that have the little potato looking things at the joints, about the size of bean seed. Can I just cut those off and start new plants from them by planting them in soil?

[@onlyplants]

Oh yes you can!

[@1101naomi]

Once the plant develops those huge tubers under the soil, do you start watering less? How does that work?

[@sl7849]

Mine has tubers the size of golf balls 😭 you should check to see if it’s root bound and then change the soil/ add new soil. Keep watering depending as usual

[@1101naomi]

@@sl7849 I actually gave mine away. Lol. I accidentally stabbed one of the tubers with my moisture meter too many times. It grossed me out so bad I got rid of it.

[@onlyplants]

Yes, although I have not gotten mine to that level before as they kept dying back 😅

[@onlyplants]

Lollllllll

[@sl7849]

@@1101naomi yeah I agree i was spooked when I saw them 😂

[@JellyPRNCSS]

You sound like prismo from adventure time 😍

[@onlyplants]

🥰🥰 I need to google that haha

[@carmenalvarez9904]

I just cut my and put it in water let see what happens my plant have like beige balls attached to the plant I don’t know what are those can someone help me iD

[@onlyplants]

Thats the bulbs, its where they store energy and food. 😀

[@carmenalvarez9904]

@@onlyplants hi the one in the pot yes but the other ones are hanging from the strings I thought those where seed I never seen it before thank you

[@jeannetteloretta9427]

Tubers no?

[@adrianavalenzuela6629]

I have to, very small, but are very dificult for care

[@onlyplants]

They require a lot of attention for something so small 😅

[@mariloustateresa6976]

what is the potting mix of string of heart

[@onlyplants]

I use cacti succulent mix as I water then daily.

[@niamhgannon]

Love your videos ! Are you part Irish with the name Sean and I think I detect a slight Irish accent?

[@onlyplants]

Haha noo Im fully asian and born in asia. But I love this name 😀

[@franzezekiel867]

❤️

[@sherryporsch9349]

💚💚

[@elensilviantysilvianty9954]

Hiii Sean … do you selling 1 pot of your string of heart … thanks before🙏🙏

[@onlyplants]

I have already closed down my plant store 😀

[@lillysvlog5901]

How to kill melibug make details video. I m from India

[@onlyplants]

Please type in “onlyplants mealybugs” on the youtube search bar. Theres a detailed video for it 😀

[@lillysvlog5901]

@@onlyplants thank you

[@shreyas.loves.plants]

you shoule never use dairy or meat contaning pakages for potting/propagating i had a bad experience w them too so i just simply stopped doing.

[@onlyplants]

Omg is that what caused that? But they were washed so thoroughly…. Thanks for the share

[@rachnarane5227]

What happened to the water propagation?

[@onlyplants]

Omg I had filmed it but somehow the clip didnt make it into editing. They rooted!water propagation is actually the near 100% success rate of propagating them!

[@rachnarane5227]

@@onlyplants Thank you so much, apparently I am not that good at Soil propagation... so on a asafer side always propagate in water as well..

[@kendravoracek3636]

🌿💚

[@elizabethurdaneta1532]

😲💚💚💚

[@influencedaesthetic9550]

😉

[@onlyplants]

😛

[@MrOkay78]

oh great. my little sh*t has died on me for a second time in less than a year. i repotted it, it thrived and flowered and died …. trying to bring it back to life again. nasty string of rot and death… nasty …

[@onlyplants]

Haha if you can keep this alive you can keep most things alive. But I find its good to keep propagating these so you always have them. Its too much of a gamble once they reach maturity