How to Grow Ceropegia - Planting & Caring

By Sharon & Team   /   Liana Category   /   2023

Ceropegia, also known as string of hearts, is a beautiful and unique plant that is perfect for adding a touch of elegance to any home. The plant is native to Africa and the Middle East, and is a member of the milkweed family. Ceropegia is a succulent, meaning it stores water in its leaves and stem, which makes it perfect for those who forget to water their plants on occasion. The plant is also known for its heart-shaped leaves, which is where it gets its common name.

How to Grow Ceropegia - Planting & Caring

Growing Easiness

Is it easy to grow Ceropegia plant? Unless you forget to water your plants for a few weeks, they will likely survive and Ceropegia is a very beginner-friendly plant. They are very undemanding and can thrive in a range of environments with little to no care. If you are looking for a low-maintenance plant to add to your collection, Ceropegia is a great option.

Plant Size

How big can it be? Because it is a vining type of plant, it can grow quite long if you let it. Indoors, you can expect your Ceropegia to reach up to 1 meter in length if you allow it to grow unchecked. If you want to keep it smaller, you can simply pinch back the tips of the longest shoots.

Growth Rate

How fast is the growth? Sometimes, the plant can grow up to 30-45 cm in length per year. The new shoots grow from the tubers, and this is how the plant grows in breadth.

Ceropegia Basic Knowledge

Plant Form Liana
Family Asclepiadaceae
Origin South Africa, Zimbabwe

Lifespan, Perennial or Annuals

How long is the lifespan? The reason they are called "perennials" is that they live for more than two years. The average lifespan of a Ceropegia is around five years. Some species of Ceropegia can live for up to ten years. The longest-lived Ceropegia on record was a specimen that was found in a greenhouse in England that was over fifty years old.

Ideal Temperature

What is the ideal temperature? Common Ceropegia (Ceropegia woodii) is a flowering plant that blooms in the summer. The plant prefers daytime temperatures of 69.8-73.4 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures of 50-59 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant tolerates the heat well.

Humidity

What about the humidity? Common Ceropegia grow best in average room humidity, between 40-50%. They will also tolerate drier conditions, but may lose some of their leaves in very dry air.

Light Requirement

What amount of light this plant needed? Unless you have a very bright room, this plant will need some supplemental light. Place it near an eastern or western window, where it will receive bright scattered light, with some shading from the hot midday rays.

Soil Composition

What is good soil for Ceropegia? If you want to prepare the soil mix by yourself, then you need to take 3 parts of leafy land, 2 parts of turfy ground and add 1 part of sand and 2 parts of humus. This mixture will provide good drainage for your Ceropegia plant. Always use a pot with a hole for better drainage.

Watering Time

How much I must water Ceropegia? Unless the leaves of your Ceropegia are wilting, your plant is likely getting too much water. The soil should be moderately moist and dry 2-3 cm before the next watering. Watering soft water is not more than 2 times per month in the summer (if not very dry and hot). In winter, watering is limited to 1 time every 20-30 days. It is required to watch, so that the leaves do not fade.

Fertilizing and Nutritient

About fertilizer. When and how to fertilize Ceropegia woodii and other succulent plants. Ceropegia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, native to Africa, India, and Saudi Arabia. The genus includes about 150 species, most of which are woody vines with tubular flowers. A few species are herbaceous. Ceropegia is a genus of succulent plants, which means that they store water in their leaves and stems. Most Ceropegia species are native to Africa, but some are native to India and Saudi Arabia. The genus includes about 150 species, most of which are woody vines with tubular flowers. A few species are herbaceous. Ceropegia plants are not heavy feeders, so they don't need a lot of fertilizer. During the growing season, once a month, you can fertilize with a special liquid fertilizer for succulents, diluted twice. You can sometimes use organic fertilizer.

Reproduction

How to reproduce Ceropegia? The plant can be propagated by taking an apical cutting 8-10 cm long with several buds. It is better to take a cutting with nodules before rooting. Cut off the 2 lower leaves before rooting. The container should be covered with polyethylene or glass. Rooting temperature should be 68 ° F. It is possible to multiply by air layers which are formed if the sprigs of Ceropegia are laid, folded spirally on the surface of the soil. Nodules and subordinate roots soon develop in the place of contact with the soil. In conditions of high humidity, wood nodules are formed directly on the shoots. It is being spread also by seeds, which are planted in spring in a mixture of light soil or peat with sand. Seeds are lightly sprinkled with earth and the plate is covered with glass or polyethylene. Shoots later dive.

Bloom

Why Ceropegia won't bloom? known as the "string of hearts", is a vining, succulent plant that is native to South Africa. It gets its common name from its heart-shaped leaves that are arranged along the stems. The leaves are a deep green color with purple undersides. The flowers of the Ceropegia are small and tubular, and they bloom in the summer. The original flowers are a lantern greenish pink color, and they are about 1 cm in size. They appear in the axils of the leaves.

Transfer or Repotting

How much I must water Ceropegia? Since this is a rather rare plant, it should be transplanted only when necessary. The best time for this is spring, and it is better to do it every 3-4 years. When transplanting, it is important to be careful, as the thin shoots of the Ceropegia are very easily broken. The pot should be close and low. Only very overgrown plants need to be transplanted.

Caring The Ceropegia

How to care the plant? If you want your Ceropegia to flourish, there are a few things to keep in mind. These plants don't like drafts, so keep them away from any windows or doors that might let in a chill. The sprouting shoots are often strongly entangled, making it difficult to separate them. Plan ahead and provide a support in the form of a ladder or flexible arch. Ceropegias can also be grown in hanging baskets. Another interesting fact: the nodules of Ceropegia are often used for grafting other plants in the family.

Pests & Challenges

What is the challenge when caring Ceropegia plant? The main problem is the content of the minimum temperature in winter. The soil should be well ventilated. The roots of the plant are very sensitive to the presence of waterlogging, so the pot should have good drainage. Watering is moderate, so that the earth is slightly damp. The leaves of the plant are very sensitive to the direct rays of the sun, so the flower should be provided with shading from the sun. The most common problems are the defeat of spider mites, scale insects and aphids.

Toxic & Poisonous Type

Are Ceropegia poisonous? Although the Ceropegia plant is a beautiful addition to any home, it is important to be aware that it is toxic to both humans and animals. The sap of the plant contains toxins that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death if ingested. If you have this plant in your home, be sure to keep it out of reach of children and pets.