Ceropegia woodii

Where String of Hearts comes from

Ceropegia woodii is native from Zimbabwe southwards into South Africa. It is a subtropical tuberous geophyte with fibrous roots and a basal tuber; older stems can also form small adventitious tubers at the nodes.

The fine stems are usually pendant and can also twine, giving the species its characteristic trailing or climbing habit.

Keeping String of Hearts healthy

Place it in bright indirect light. Gentle morning or late-day sun can also suit it; protect the leaves from prolonged hot midday sun through glass.

• Water: allow a substantial part of the mix to dry, then water thoroughly and let all excess escape. Keep the plant distinctly drier during the lower-light months.
• Substrate: use a loose cactus or succulent mix. Heavy, compact compost can stay damp for much longer than this species needs.
• Feeding: feed lightly while the plant is actively extending new vines, then pause when growth slows.
• Pruning and propagation: if the vines become too long or sparse near the pot, cut selected stems above a node. Healthy sections with several nodes can be rooted and returned to the pot.

Common String of Hearts problems

• Leaves feel soft or wrinkled while the mix is dry: the plant is becoming dehydrated. Soak the root ball evenly, let it drain and shorten the next dry interval slightly if the same symptom returns quickly.
• Leaves turn yellow or translucent and the stem base softens: the pot is staying wet for too long. Remove affected growth and inspect the tubers and roots. Keep every firm tuber and root, remove only soft or mushy tissue and repot into a fresh, open mix; our root rot guide covers the recovery steps.
• Long bare gaps develop between small leaves: light is probably too weak. Move the plant gradually closer to a bright window and review the position with our bright indirect light guide.
• White cottony deposits appear at the nodes: mealybugs can hide along the fine stems. Isolate the plant, remove visible insects with a damp swab or rinse and apply a treatment labelled for mealybugs along the stems and nodes. Repeat it at the label interval until no new insects appear.

Ceropegia woodii is non-toxic to cats and dogs

• This plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
• Its effects on people are unclear, so keep it away from young children who may chew it.
• Eating a large amount can still cause an upset stomach. Seek medical or veterinary advice if symptoms continue.

Why is it called Ceropegia woodii?

Ceropegia combines Greek keros, meaning wax, with pege, meaning fountain, an image drawn from the form of its flowers. Woodii honours John Medley Wood.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Ceropegia in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 211.

Friedrich Richard Rudolf Schlechter first described Ceropegia woodii in 1894 in Beiblatt zu den Botanischen Jahrbüchern für Systematik, volume 45, page 34.