Table of Contents
Ceropegia succulents are also known as “strings of hearts.” They are known for their decorative chains of mostly hanging flowers.
Ceropegia succulents are a type of plant that naturally grows in Africa. They grow a large string of hearts from a single stem, with the ability to regenerate. This makes them a great choice for any home or office setting.
We have taken the time to compile a list of some popular varieties that you may want to consider adding to your garden.
Read further for seven types of Ceropegia succulents, including the String of Hearts, and how to care for them to learn everything you need to know.
What are Ceropegia Succulent Plants?
The genus Ceropegia belongs to the Apocynaceae family. Within this succulent genus, there are 160–200 species.
Ceropegia plants originate from Africa, Southern Asia, Africa, Indonesia, and Australia. Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, was credited with naming this genus. He believed that the flowers resembled a wax fountain.
The botanical name “Ceropegia” is derived from the Greek words “keros” and “pege”, which mean “wax” and “fountain” respectively.
Ceropegia varieties are primarily vines, while a few have similar characteristics to bushes. Certain plants within this genus have succulent stems, while others have thinner stems.
Ceropegia succulents sometimes grow individual flowers or in bunches that come in various colors, such as yellow, purple, red, and green.
Below are seven types of Ceropegia succulents, including the famous “String of Hearts.”
Lastly, we’ll cover some care tips on how to grow them.
7 Types of Ceropegia Varieties
Ceropegia, commonly known as the string of hearts plant, is a genus of succulent flowering plants in the family Asclepiadaceae.
There are about 160 different species of Ceropegia. They are found in Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Below we talk about the most common type of Ceropegia, the Ceopegia Woodii, and other Ceropegia plants.
Ceropegia Woodii (String of Hearts)
Famously known as the “String of Hearts,” the Ceropegia Woodii is a low-maintenance, semi-succulent, trailing houseplant.
It originates from South Africa, and the leaf shape grows heart-shaped. Besides String of Hearts, this semi-succulent goes by other names:
- Rosary Vine
- Sweetheart Vine
- Chain of Hearts
Side note: The String of Hearts plant is not part of the family of “String-of” plants, such as the String of Pearls or String of Dolphins. These such plants are part of the Senecio genus of plants.
The stems of the String of Hearts houseplant have some purple in them and are pretty strong since these plant trails grow up to two to three feet (60 to 90 cm) in length.
They are a great choice to hang in your home for decorative purposes.
As for its leaves, the striking foliage of the Ceropegia Woodii is deep green with silver patterns on it.
The bottom portion of the leaves is about one inch wide (1 to 2 cm). Lastly, the Ceropegia woodii can bloom with vase-like flowers that have no scent.
These vines also grow bulbs that can be used as seeds that can be grown into new Sweet Heart vine plants.
The Sweetheart Vine is a robust and hardy plant that doesn’t need much attention.
It needs watering regularly during the summer and scarcely during the winter.
Keep it out of direct sunlight at a temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 and 25 degrees Celsius). It does not need very high humidity to survive. It can survive outside in USDA hardiness zone 11.
As for the soil to plant a String of Hearts plant, you can use a combination of perlite and sand with standard potting soil.
There are four primary Ceropegia woodii varieties. The original Ceropegia woodii, Ceropegia woodii variegata, Ceropegia woodii ‘Silver Glory’, and Ceropegia woodii ‘Durwoodii’ are more Ceropegia cultivars, but these are the most widely accessible nowadays.
Ceropegia Woodii Variegata (Varigated String of Hearts)
Ceropegia Woodii Variegata is a trailing succulent plant that originates from South Africa.
As with its cousin, the String of Hearts, it makes for a beautiful houseplant because its leaves are a mix of green, gray, pink, and yellow.
The Ceropegia Woodii Variegata is usually referred to as the “Variegated String of Hearts”.
The leaf shapes of the Ceropegia Woodii Variegata are heart-shaped and dark green. They might even possess gentle pink edges.
These heart-shaped leaves grow along a vine that is red-brown. This plant can grow up to 2 to 3 feet long (60 to 90 cm).
Bright and indirect sunlight is best for the variegated string of hearts.
A little exposure to the direct sun won’t hurt, but it can cause leaf scorch if left under the sun for prolonged periods.
Water the Variegated String of Hearts regularly during the growing season (spring through summer).
During the winter, water it maybe once every two weeks – just enough to wet the soil.
In any case, just make sure to wait for the soil to dry before you water it.
Potting mix that stays continuously wet is not good for the plant.
Feed the Variegated String of Hearts regular houseplant fertilizer once every month during its growing season, but refrain from adding fertilizer during the winter months as it is dormant during this time.
High humidity levels are ideal for the variegated String of Hearts plant.
Try to keep it in an area where temperatures do not drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius).
If you plan to keep it outside, it is best if you live in USDA hardiness zones 11 or 12.
Ceropegia Sandersonii
Ceropegia Sandersonii originates from Africa, specifically Mozambique, Swaziland, and South Africa. It has several familiar names. They are:
- Parachute plant
- Wine glass vine
- Umbrella plant
- Fountain flower
- Giant Ceropegia
- Trumpet flower
- Sanderson’s Ceropegia
Ceropegia Sandersonii grows parachute or trumpet-shaped flowers, hence the nicknames it receives.
The parachute-shaped or wine glass-shaped flowers are green, with some yellow as well.
This houseplant grows heart-shaped, green leaves about 1 inch (2 to 3 cm) long.
And, if placed in the outdoors during the summertime, the vine can even get as long as 12 feet (4 m).
These plants are very low-maintenance. They have thin, dangling stems, and the unique, solitary flowers that they produce make them the ideal hanging houseplant for your home.
Light and well-drained soil work great for growing this plant.
It needs indirect but bright sunlight and protection from the harsh sun. Water this plant in its growing months.
The Ceropegia Sandersonii does quite well in warmth. The ideal temperatures are 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 24 degrees Celsius).
Don’t overfeed your plants, and only fertilize during spring and summer. They’ll do fine if you are in USDA hardiness zones 10b to 11b.
A very unique feature of the Parachute plant is how it attracts pollinators, such as flies.
Within the flowers, there are little hairs that point in a downwards direction.
The scent that the flowers produce attracts flies into the center, and once inside, the flies are trapped by these hairs, and the fly will be covered with pollen.
Ceropegia Linearis
Ceropegia Linearis has its origins in South Africa and is a trailing houseplant.
Common names for Ceropegia linearis are Rosary Vine, Hearts Entangled, and Hearts On a String.
It is a long plant; the green leaves look like needles that can grow as long as 10 inches (25 cm), while the stems can reach up to 6 feet long (2 meters).
The Rosary Vine plant also blooms purple flowers that are about 1 inch long (3 cm), but it only lasts a couple of weeks.
Indirect and bright sunlight are suitable for this plant. Let it get some morning sun in the winter months.
Don’t expose the Hearts Entangled plant to too much direct sunlight, but at the same time, insufficient light can cause it to become leggy.
Keep the Hearts on a String plant in an area that is 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 30 degrees Celsius).
It can be kept outside in USDA hardiness zones 11 or higher.
As for the soil to use, any succulent soil will be sufficient, as long as the soil is well-draining.
Ceropegia Stapeliiformis
This species originates from Swaziland and South Africa and grows funnel-like flowers about 2.5 inches (6 cm).
Ceropegia stapeliiformis also has several common names:
- Serpent Ceropegia
- Snake Creeper
- Slangkambro
Taking care of this creeping plant isn’t straightforward. It requires more attention and care, which doesn’t make it suitable for novice gardeners.
It has fibrous roots, grows tiny leaves, but they fall off pretty quickly. It blooms flowers that are a mix of green and white along with some maroon mixed in.
Their petals are covered with hair and creeping stems, resemble snakes that grow up to three feet (1 m) or more.
This plant grows best in partial shade, the full sun will inhibit to bloom of their flowers.
However, be careful as the full sun can end up scorching the foliage over an extended period.
The ideal soil type for this is succulent soil and the optimal temperature is around 75 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius).
If kept outside, the Snake Creeper will do fine in USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b.
Lastly, as with all succulents, water the plant when the soil is dry to the touch. Ensure you don’t overwater the plant as it can lead to root rot.
Ceropegia Ampliata
The Ceropegia Ampliata has its origins in South Africa and Madagascar. It has several common names:
- Bushman’s Vine
- Elephantine Ceropegia
The Bushman’s vine plant has tiny leaves and fibrous roots, while its fleshy stems are hairless.
The leaves of the Ceropegia Ampliata tend to shed pretty quickly, and the length of the stalks can reach well beyond 6 feet (2 meters).
Elephantine Ceropegia grows tube-shaped flowers that are a mix of white and green that bloom towards the end of summer.
The length of the flowers grows up to 3 inches (7 cm), and the odd-looking flowers.
Ceropegia ampliata thrives outdoors better than indoors this plant enjoys the sunlight.
Amazingly, these plants can survive temperatures as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius ), but it thrives in USDA hardiness zones 10b to 11b.
Ceropegia Haygarth
Ceropegia Haygarthii is native to Angola, South Africa, and Mozambique. “Lantern Flower” is the most common name, but it has others such as Parasol Flower and Necklace Vine.
A mature Lantern Flower plant blooms maroon and purple flowers that grow to about 1.5 inches (4 cm) in length.
It has a sturdy stem that grows to about 1/8-inch (0.25 cm) thick and can reach lengths of 10 feet (3 meters).
The Ceropegia Haygarthii plant is supported by a tube that has a swollen bottom and becomes almost like a funnel while it expands at the top.
These remarkable plants are great houseplants since they can survive various conditions.
Ceropegia haygarthii needs full sunlight to partial sunlight and thrives in USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b.
How to Care for Ceropegia Succulents
Here are some basic instructions on how you can care for a Ceropegia plant:
Light
The Ceropegia thrive in bright light. However, do not leave it in the direct sun. Filtered light is best and they typically do well outside in the summer.
Sufficient light and warm weather will help these succulents grow.
If they do not get enough light, they will reach for the sunlight, causing the stalks to extend and become leggy.
The winter season is typically the dormant period of Ceropegia plants.
Water
Water these houseplants regularly for the leaves to become thicker. Check the soil and see if it is dried enough to water.
Thin leaves can be a sign of the plant not getting sufficient water.
The tuberous varieties of this genus can suffer from root rot and should only be watered regularly in the spring and summer.
Soil
Ceropegia plants flourish in well-drained succulent potting soil. Although they prefer enough fertilizer, if the mix is extremely rich, the plants might grow all over the place.
If you’re using regular potting soil, you’ll need to add some soil amendments like pumice or perlite to guarantee enough drainage.
Fertilizer
It is not necessary to feed your Ceropegia, but if you want to see more blossoms on your plant, you may apply a regular houseplant fertilizer once or twice a year during its active growth season in the spring and summer.
Propagation
You can use cuttings to propagate. For propagation, collect stem cuttings from Ceropegia succulents and place them in soil.
In a few weeks, you should notice roots forming. Once you see the roots, you can transplant them into a new pot with fresh potting soil.
Repotting
A Ceropegia succulent should be repotted every one to two years.
To allow for optimum development, your pot of choice should be somewhat bigger than the plant.
When you repot your plant, do this during the spring or summer while the plant is growing.
Common Diseases & Pests
These hardy plants usually do not have as many pest problems as usual, except for mealybugs and aphids.
Mealybugs and aphids can cause discoloration and curling of the leaves.
To get rid of mealybugs, a solution of soap and water, followed by using some diluted rubbing alcohol to clean these pests off the leaves, will help clear the infestation.
Aphids will be fixed by misting the Ceropegia plants with cold water.
Fungal infections and rotting are some of the diseases that affect Ceropegia plants.
Shifting a Ceropegia indoors after being outside throughout the summertime can cause it to die quickly.
Moreover, overwatering can cause root rot, while underwatering can cause these plants to wilt.
FAQ
Is Ceropegia a succulent?
Yes, Ceropegia plants are succulents. The leaves of Ceropegia plants are thick and fleshy and have the ability to store water in their tissues. Because succulents store water in their leaves, they need very little watering once they become established.
How often should you water Ceropegia?
You should water Ceropegia (String of hearts) plants for 7 to 14 days. When the potting soil has completely dried out, give the Cerepogia plants a good watering that it drains out through the bottom of the drainage hole.
How do I know if my string of hearts needs water?
Ceropogia plants (String of Hearts) need water when the leaves begin to droop and appear a little wilted and deflated. Ceropogia plants have the ability to retain water in their leaves; therefore, if you see any of wilting or drooping you should water immediately.
How fast does a string of hearts grow?
You should see propagated String of Hearts cuttings from roots in approximately 3 to 4 weeks. Ceropegia plants are one of the most straightforward plants to grow and propagate. Snip along the length of the chain or string and submerge the cut end in water to encourage root growth.
Conclusion
There are numerous varieties of Ceropegia succulent plants to choose from.
They are available in a number of different colors, including red, green, and purple.
Some plants have a trailing tendency, but others grow in a rosette shape, depending on their species.
Ceropegia plants are low-maintenance and make a beautiful addition to any garden or home décor.
We hope our blog post on the types of Ceropegia succulents, including the String of Hearts, helped you learn about these varieties and their maintenance.
References
Lindsey Hyland grew up in Arizona where she studied at the University of Arizona’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. She continued her gardening education by working on organic farms in both rural and urban settings. She started UrbanOrganicYield.com to share gardening tips and tactics. She’s happy to talk about succulents and houseplants or vegetables and herbs – or just about anything in a backyard garden or hydroponics garden.