String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)

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PanamonCreel Celaya, Mexico(Zone 10a) Oct 27, 2003

Common name: String of Hearts
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Genus: Ceropegia
Species woodii

Plant Link: http://plantsdatabase.com/go/53707/

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Post #692829
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NoH2O Everson, WA(Zone 8a) Oct 28, 2003

I had one of these many years ago when I lived in the high desert. It was huge and so beautiful. I have not seen them available where I live....I don't know if they would like the humidity. Sure is a pretty plant.

Post #693524
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PanamonCreel Celaya, Mexico(Zone 10a) Oct 28, 2003

C. woodii actually does very well in higher humidity and some direct sun. I think the most important part is the soil used. It seems to do best in a very well draining, loose soil mix. I personally use a 1-2 part soil to 1 part perlite mix with some coconut husk chips mixed in. In summer I keep it well watered and now towards winter time I cut back on the watering frequency (I'll let the soil dry out before watering again). The leaves will get more succulent and the tubers bigger when the watering is reduced, but some of the long vines may die off if not planted in soil somwhere along their length.
Check in places like Home Depot or alike, they sometimes get a few pots of C. woodii.

Post #693733
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NoH2O Everson, WA(Zone 8a) Oct 28, 2003

Thanks for the info, PC. I will keep my eyes peeled for it - I would love to grow it again.

When I lived in the desert I grew it in shade but of course the sun was like a furnace there. How sunny are your summers? I would have put it in shade here but maybe it would be okay in the sun.

I am surprised that the leaves get more succulent and the tubers get bigger when you cut back on watering - I would have expected just the opposite!

Do you grow it in a shallow pot like a bulb pot? I can't remember if it had a deep root system or not.

Post #693990
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PanamonCreel Celaya, Mexico(Zone 10a) Oct 28, 2003

I don't think there is much difference between Ohio and here in regards to sun. It's still hot and humid here in the summer but also "tire square freezing" cold in winter LOL. (at least not much of lake effect here :)
The underside of the C. woodii leaf and the silvery spots on top of the leaf will turn redish when exposed to direct sun. I usually have about 3-4 hours of morning sun on it and it seems very happy. Desert sun is very intense and unfiltered so could be harmful to it. One never knows until it is tried out :).
When watered alot the energy seems to go into growth of the vines, whereas with less watering the energy goes into storage of the water. Lower temperatures could also be a factor but to a lesser effect I believe.
Mine is in a relatively deep pot but it doesn't seem to have an intense and large root system so a shallow pot would most likely be OK.

Post #694113
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NoH2O Everson, WA(Zone 8a) Oct 28, 2003

Thanks, PC

Post #694336
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