Ceropegia

Family: Asclepiadaceae. This genus includes about 180 species growing in all tropical regions.

The most widespread is Ceropegia woodii — a succulent, as evidenced by its thick opposite small heart-shaped to rounded fleshy leaves, silvery-marbled above in light and dark green tones, and whitish to pale greenish beneath, borne on long thread-like hanging stems that grow from tubers that have put out roots. The dense tubular lantern-shaped flowers are unusual and interesting, though not very showy. They grow in the leaf axils — solitary, tubular, fused at the tip, brownish-lilac-pink. Ceropegia is well suited to cultivation in hanging baskets. Other species have more attractive flowers, but they are difficult to grow under household conditions.

Location of Ceropegia: sunny or very sunny; from summer to autumn, contrary to common belief, keep the plant outdoors because it likes cool nights; overwinters at normal room temperature, but a cooler one is more beneficial. 10-14°

Watering and feeding: keep the soil constantly slightly moist, allowing it to dry a little between waterings. Feed only in summer, once a month, with a fertilizer for flowering plants.

Propagation of Ceropegia: by the tubers formed in the leaf axils and by cuttings. The cut end of cuttings should be dried and then either planted in sand or placed in water until roots form. After rooting, transplant into pots, five or more per pot. Cuttings gradually form tubers on their roots. The tubers from the leaf axils can be planted directly into pots in a mixture of leaf mold, turf soil and sand.