Ceropegia woodii
Ceropegia woodii (String of Hearts) Care Guide
Featured photoceropegia-woodii.jpgCeropegia woodii, sold as String of Hearts, sits in Asclepiadoideae (formerly Asclepiadaceae), a subfamily of Apocynaceae that contains the classic milkweeds and a large radiation of epiphytic succulents. A South African and Eswatini epiphyte with small heart-shaped silver-marbled leaves on long slender purple stems, forming graceful cascades. Produces small purple lantern-shaped flowers across the year. Most species grow as forest epiphytes draping from tree branches, which is why they suit hanging-pot cultivation indoors.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Water when the top 2 to 3 cm of mix has dried.
- Humidity
- 50–80 %
- Temperature
- 18–27 °C
- Soil
- Free-draining epiphyte mix of orchid bark, coco coir, and perlite for excellent aeration.
- Origin
- Tropical and subtropical Asia and Africa, mostly epiphytic in forest canopies.
- Mature size
- Trailing stems to 1 m or more in mature plants.
Overview
Ceropegia woodii belongs to a tropical-Asian and African epiphyte clade closely related to the more familiar Hoyas. A South African and Eswatini epiphyte with small heart-shaped silver-marbled leaves on long slender purple stems, forming graceful cascades. Produces small purple lantern-shaped flowers across the year. Many species form intricate flower structures with five-pointed coronas, a hallmark of the milkweed family that puts them among the most distinctive cultivated tropicals.
Care Priorities
- Bright filtered light, never direct midday sun.
- Free-draining epiphytic mix with orchid bark.
- Water when the top of the mix has dried.
- Steady humidity above 50 percent supports tight new growth and flowering.
Common Problems
Yellowing leaves are usually overwatering. Brown crispy edges signal dry air. Failure to flower is most often insufficient light or too-frequent repotting — the plants set buds best when slightly root-bound.
Sources & further reading (2)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-29
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-04-29
Frequently asked questions
Why does it produce small bulbils on the stems?
C. woodii forms small tuberous bulbils where stems touch substrate or hang in air. These bulbils root readily when planted, providing easy clonal propagation. Mature plants accumulate dozens of bulbils across their pendulous stems.
Are these related to Hoya?
Yes — Dischidia, Ceropegia, and Hoya all sit in subfamily Asclepiadoideae of Apocynaceae. They share the milkweed-style flower structure with a five-pointed corona, the white milky sap, and the epiphytic growth habit, though leaf shapes differ widely between genera.
Can I root cuttings in water?
Yes — most species in this group root readily in water once the cut end has callused for a day or two. Pot up into free-draining epiphytic mix once roots reach 2 cm long.
