Ceropegia stapeliiformis

RHS Plant Profile
stapelia rosary vine

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Cactus Succulent

A trailing or climbing, evergreen, succulent perennial to 1.5m tall, with fibrous roots, thick arching stems and rudimentary, tiny, triangular scale-like leaves. Tubular, hairy, light green flowers about 5cm long on twining flower stems, are marked, spotted and striped dark red-purple, and borne in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun 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, Spreading branched
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
S Africa (E Cape)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in cactus compost in bright filtered light, water moderately and apply a low nitrogen liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times during the growing season. Keep plants dry at other times

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 19-24°C (66-75°F) in early spring; 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

  • Houseplants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, aphids and scale insects

Diseases

May be susceptible to basal rot if too wet in winter