Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii

RHS Plant Profile

hearts on a string

Other common names

heart vine, hearts entangled, rosary plant, string of hearts, sweetheart vine, rosary vine

Synonyms

Ceropegia woodii
Ceropegia hastata
Ceropegia schoenlandii
Ceropegia barbertonensis

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An evergreen tuberous perennial with long trailing stems to 1m or more, bearing small, heart-shaped, grey-patterned leaves purple beneath, and lantern-shaped pink and purple tubular flowers 2cm long

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Apocynaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Trailing
Genus: Ceropegia can be evergreen or semi-evergreen, erect, climbing to trailing, usually succulent, perennials with opposite leaves and curioously shaped flowers in summer, sometimes followed by cylindrical fruits containing silky tufted seeds
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Zimbabwe to S Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in cactus compost. Water moderately when in growth and apply a low nitrogen liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times. Keep plants dry at other times

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 19-24°C (66-75°F) in early spring or propagate from stem bulbils. Alternatively take stem cuttings, 10-15cm (4-6in) long in early summer, root in a cactus compost at 22-25°C (72-77°F), and keep moist

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Vulnerable to mealybugs, aphids and scale insects

Diseases

Vulnerable to basal rot if too wet in winter