🌿 Ceropegia woodii: The Cascading Heart Vine

Native to South Africa, this plant is technically a succulent, characterized by its ability to store water in its fleshy leaves and bead-like tubers. It is a slow-to-moderate grower that can eventually produce vines several feet long.

✨ Key Features and Appearance

• Heart-Shaped Foliage: The leaves are small and shaped like perfect hearts. They feature a beautiful silvery-green marbled pattern on the surface, while the undersides often have a stunning purple or burgundy tint.

• Established Length: Standing at 40 cm in a 14 cm pot, this specimen already features a lovely trail of vines. It is the perfect length for a bookshelf, mantel, or a medium-height plant stand.

• Unique Tubers: Over time, you may notice small, woody "beads" forming along the stems. These are aerial tubers, which the plant uses for energy storage and can be used for easy propagation.

☀️ Light and Placement

To keep the "strings" full and the leaf patterns vibrant, light is the most important factor:

• Exposure: It thrives in bright, indirect light. A few hours of soft morning sun can actually help the purple hues on the leaves become more pronounced.

• Avoid Low Light: In dim conditions, the vines will become "leggy," meaning the space between the heart-shaped leaves will increase, and the plant will lose its lush appearance.

• Display: It is best showcased in a hanging pot or on a high surface where its vines can hang freely without being disturbed.

💧 Care and Maintenance

Because it is a succulent, the String of Hearts is very forgiving of a bit of neglect:

• Watering: Follow the "less is more" rule. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. During the winter months, you can significantly reduce watering.

• Soil: Use a very well-draining potting mix, such as a cactus or succulent blend, to ensure the roots and tubers stay healthy.

• Temperature: It enjoys standard room temperatures but should be kept away from cold drafts and heaters, which can dry out the delicate stems.

⚠️ Important Note

The Ceropegia woodii is intended strictly for decorative purposes. While it is generally considered non-toxic to pets, it is always a good idea to keep trailing plants out of reach of curious cats or dogs to prevent them from pulling the plant down or damaging the fine vines.