Ceropegia woodii in Kokodama

The plant behind the Kokodama

The plant in this Kokodama is Ceropegia woodii, a species native from Zimbabwe to South Africa. It is a subtropical tuberous geophyte with fine trailing or twining stems, a basal tuber and small nodal tubers that may appear on older growth.

Botanically, it remains the same species; Kokodama describes the cultivated presentation around the root area.

Looking after String of Hearts in a Kokodama

Keep the Kokodama in bright indirect light. Gentle morning or late-day sun can suit an acclimatised plant; protect the leaves from prolonged hot midday sun through glass.

Check the planting medium before watering. Let it dry almost completely, then add water slowly to the root area until the medium is evenly moistened. Stop if water begins to collect and do not leave the Kokodama standing in water.

Allow a clear dry-down. Wait until the root area has dried again before the next watering. During active growth, add a diluted cactus or succulent fertiliser occasionally with watering and use plain water between feeds.

Trim only as needed. Cut selected vines above a node if the plant becomes uneven. Healthy cuttings with several nodes can be rooted and used to thicken the planting.

Problems with a String of Hearts Kokodama

• The planting medium stays damp and leaves begin to yellow: the root area is drying too slowly. Pause watering until the medium has dried well, improve airflow around the Kokodama and avoid leaving any standing water.
• Vines wrinkle and leaves lose firmness while the medium is dry: the plant is becoming dehydrated. Rehydrate the root area gradually, giving the medium time to absorb each small addition, then let it dry well before the next watering.
• A musty smell, soft stem bases or dark tissue develops: prolonged moisture may have started root or stem rot. Remove decayed growth. If roots are accessible, keep firm roots and remove only soft or mushy tissue. If decay extends through the root mass or the damaged roots cannot be inspected safely, transfer the plant to fresh airy medium. Our root rot guide gives the recovery steps.
• New vines are long and sparsely leafed: increase filtered light gradually and turn the plant periodically so the crown is lit more evenly. Our bright indirect light guide can help you judge the position.

Ceropegia woodii in Kokodama 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.

The meaning and history of 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.