Among so many “hacks” out there, here is one toothpick trick that actually makes the String of Hearts trail even faster! How? Let’s find out!
The String of Hearts, with its gorgeous heart-shaped foliage and stringy stems spilling over hanging baskets, is often a sight to behold. Even more so, if you get a variegated one! If you are looking for a hack to make your String of Hearts trail even faster, check out this toothpick trick!
Toothpick Hack That Makes String of Hearts Trail Even Faster
Before you start, make sure your plant is in its active growing season—usually spring or summer. This is when it responds best to propagation tricks like this one!
Step 1 – Locate the Nodes
First things first—your plant doesn’t need long vines for this trick to work, but it does need to be healthy. Focus on finding the “nodes,” those small bumps along the vine where new stems or roots naturally sprout. You’ll usually spot them right below a pair of leaves, sometimes already showing tiny shoots or aerial roots.
These are the magic points we’ll be working with. Nodes are typically spaced every few inches, so you should have plenty to choose from.
Step 2 – The Toothpick Hack
After you have located the nodes on the longer vines, it’s time for the toothpick trick. Again, it can be easily executed; you do not need any special skills for this.
Basically, the nodes need to be in contact with the soil to sprout new growth, and you can make this happen with toothpicks (or even bobby pins!). Choose a longer vine with appropriate nodes, and gently bring the vine down and pin it into the soil with the help of a toothpick. You can do it in the same pot as the mother plant or another pot as well.
Make sure the pinned node has good contact with moist soil—don’t bury it deep, just gently press it in place.
Step 3- Create the Right Conditions
After you’ve pinned down the node, give it the right environment to thrive. Place the pot somewhere bright, but away from harsh direct sunlight that might dry out the exposed node. Bright, indirect light works best. Keep the soil around the pinned area lightly moist by misting it every few days—no need to drench it.
This helps create a humid micro-climate, which is exactly what the node needs to root quickly. Within 2–4 weeks, you should start to see new roots forming, and that’s when the real magic begins. The vine will begin growing faster, trailing further, and making your plant look noticeably fuller.
4. Bonus Tip—Multiply Your Plant
Once the new vine has rooted and looks stable, you can leave it connected for a fuller look—or snip it off and repot it to create a brand-new plant. It’s a quick way to multiply your collection without going through complicated propagation steps. One toothpick, one pot, and a little patience can give you two thriving plants!
Pretty simple hack, isn’t it? If your String of Hearts has been refusing to trail faster and has been the same length for quite a while, it’s time to apply this trick and let us know how it goes for you in the comments below!
