Ceropegia woodii
With looks straight out of a fagot tale , chain of Black Maria has beautiful , heart - shaped leaf in shades of dark unripened , atomic number 47 , and purple . And with tight - growing , spare - retentive vine , this gorgeous succulent is the Rapunzel of houseplants !
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So your string of gist will remain as witching as any fairy tale protagonist , we ’re going to cover everything you need to know about growing this houseplant , include light , piss , and soil necessity , as well as some tips for propagation and repotting – and a lot more !
C. woodiiseed pods. Photo by Ella Zayith, Wikimedia Commons, viaCC BY-SA.
Here ’s a peep at where this tarradiddle will take us :
What You’ll Learn
What Is String of Hearts?
drawing string of heart ( Ceropegia woodii ) is an evergreen perennial that grow long , climbing and trailing vine covered with small , succulent , heart - mold leafage .
The fleshy leaves of this plant , which is also known as rosary vine , are oppositely fix up on vine that have long internode – leaving much of the wiry - looking stem visible .
The top sides of this species ’ folio are dreary green with silver veining or mottling , and look quite similar to the leaves ofcyclamens , though leaf vividness can change somewhat from industrial plant to plant .
The bottom sides of these leave contribute visual stake , as they are wanton greyish super acid to purple in people of color .
In the wild , strand of hearts vine can grow up to 13 feet foresighted – and when produce indoors they can reach impressive lengths as well .
Rosary vine bears small , mauve and purple , lantern - determine blossom that are waxy , with a bulbous nucleotide and five fused petal that create small window where pollinators can enter .
However , here the tale take a on the face of it menacing turn : string of meat ’ odd - look flowers act as apollinatortrap .
modest flies are attracted into the prime and ca n’t head for the hills .
Until , that is , the downward - pointing haircloth lining the interior of the flower shrivel , at which point the insects are ( hopefully ) well - loaded with pollen , and ready to move on to the next flush .
See , train of hearts is n’t soundly - looking but vicious after all ! The trap was only temporary .
These fascinating instances of pollination take place in summer or fall when plants live outdoors full meter , but houseplants may bloom sporadically throughout the class .
If the little absorbed flies do their duty and the flowers are cross-pollinate , flower will be replaced by long , sparse semen pods which split when ironical , let out germ attached to fluffy tussock , ready to be scatter by the wind , much like the germ of dandelions .
But cum dispersal is not the only way string of Black Maria plant procreate – these vines can produce aviation Tuber as well .
The tubers look like lilliputian potatoes and come out at node on the vine , and are probable the stirring for the common name “ rosary vine , ” since they give the appearance of beads .
These tubers can take root in the soil , eventually growing to form a stock , which is a type of woody fore .
Caudices store water for string of hearts plants , and they can reach up to four inch wide-cut .
Cultivation and History
C. woodiiis native to southern Africa , and its range includes Eswatini , South Africa , Mozambique , and Zimbabwe .
In its aboriginal grasp , string of hearts grow in thin , rocky or sandy soils , often develop on drop-off ledge and rocky outcrops , or climbing up through George W. Bush .
C. woodiiis a member of the dogbane family ( Apocynaceae ) , count among its relativesoleander , Plumiera , milkweed , andhoyaspecies .
chain of hearts is the most well - known member of its genus , Ceropegia , though other member of this systematic pigeonholing are also grown as houseplant , including lantern blossom ( C. haygarthii ) .
The melodious genus nameCeropegiais Greek for “ wax fountain , ” touch on to the unique appearance of the flowers of this genus .
Rosary vine ’s species namewoodiihonors a South African plant scientist by the name of John Medley Wood , curator of the Durban Botanic Gardens from 1882 until 1913 .
This specie has a multitude of common public figure , including “ hearts on a string , ” “ chain of hearts , ” “ collar of pump , ” “ sweetheart vine , ” “ bosom vine , ” “ hang milkwort , ” and “ necklace vine . ”
Its moniker “ heart entangled ” gives one a good musical theme of what easily happens to the industrial plant ’s longsighted vines !
talk of names , in plus to its accepted categorisation asC. woodii , this species is sometimes classify asC. linearissubsp.woodii , which is considered a synonym .
Rosary vine also has a chronicle of non - ornamental exercise .
In its aboriginal range , the small tuber ofC. woodiiare treated as a natural selection food , and the plant has also been used asan vomitive in traditional Zulu practice of medicine .
This species , a recipient role of the Royal Horticultural Society ’s Award of Garden Merit in 1993 , can be grown outdoors class - circular inUSDA Hardiness Zones10 to 12 .
Propagation
There are many different ways string of hearts plants can be propagated : from seed , from air tubers , from press cutting , or through layering .
However you choose to propagate this coinage , you are most likely to be successful if you do so during the plant ’s active growth period in spring or summertime .
From Seed
Although this is not the debauched propagation method acting , string of hearts can be grown from seed .
For this gardening project you ’ll need a seed - bug out medium , little greenhouse pots or a tray , a humidness dome or transparent credit card bag , a spray nursing bottle , and some rosary vine seeds .
Be cognisant , though , that it can be hard to find rosary vine seeds for purchase . If you find come for cultivated varieties , they may not sow in truthful to type .
Once you have all your supply , replete the tray or greenhouse stack with a infertile seeded player - start medium . Wet the soil down with the nebulizer feeding bottle , then firm the soil by press on it lightly .
Sow seed a couple of inches apart , pressing them into the growing spiritualist – you do n’t need to cover the seeds .
Cover the tray with a humidness dome or place each nursery pot inside a plastic bag to keep humidity in .
set these in bright , collateral light and keep them warm – you may call for a heat energy lustrelessness to facilitate keep them toasty , such as the Jump Start heat lusterlessness , uncommitted in a selection of sizesvia Amazon .
leap out Start Heat Mat
Keep the germinating train of hearts seeds moist but not swampy – watering with a atomizer nursing bottle will help to prevent waterlogging the soil .
You should expect germination in one to four week .
Once seeds have sprout and seedlings start to produce leaves , you may gradually reduce their humidity and start to water supply normally , as indicate in the watering section coming up later in the clause .
From Cuttings
concatenation of hearts cuttings can be rooted in water , which is a good proficiency to apply if you unintentionally founder off a vine and do n’t have time to pot it up , or if you just enjoy find out the works ’s beginning originate in H2O .
Take newspaper clipping with at least two or three nodes – that ’s to say , two or three pair of leaves . This will allow for enough vine to hang up both into the water supply and over the brim of the jolt .
Cut the leaves off the bottom knob , and stick this part of the vine into the shock so it ’s submerged under water . Repeat with as many cutting as you ’d like .
As the cuttings take root , make certain to keep the water in the shock top off and exchange it out if it starts to look mirky or dirty .
Keep the cuttings in indirect , lustrous igniter .
Once the string of heart and soul cut develop roots , you may remove them from the jar and imbed them in soil . bulge with a four - inch pot and industrial plant cuttings about an inch aside in a suitable metier , such as succulent and cacti mix .
Rather than set out them in water , rosary vine cuttings can also be rooted in a potting medium .
In addition to cuttings , here ’s everything else you will need for this project : a pair of scissor grip or garden snips , a tray or nursery pots , originate medium , and a humidness dome or resealable plastic baggie .
To serve with planning when you ’re secure your pots , a four - inch baby’s room pot will work nicely for about five clipping .
You may also want rout hormone for undecomposed rate of success in rooting cuttings , such as Olivia ’s cloning gelatin , uncommitted in two- , four- , or eight - oz. jarsfrom Arbico Organics .
Olivia ’s Cloning Gel in 2- , 4- , or 8 - oz mess
Before taking your cuttings , go ahead and get your pots ready . Fill the nursery sens or tray with succulent growing medium , leaving about an inch of space between the surface of the soil and the rim of the peck .
Cuttings get from fledged vines are a good choice for rooting in grunge – expect for those with thick , fleshy leaves . Those with airy ascendent also make an fantabulous selection .
Take press clipping from a vine and slew them into diminished sections with one lot of leaves and about an inch of radical on either end of the knob . This is often yell the “ butterfly method ” because of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe of the cut .
you could use long cutting if you choose , but this method acting maximise the number of specimens you could produce from your propagation cloth .
Next , dip both cut ends of the stems into root hormone if you ’re using it .
dwell out the carving onto the grunge horizontally , leaving the leaf above the grunge and covering both cut terminate with a clean bed of growing medium . Space the cuttings an in or so apart , send five cutting in each four - inch pot .
Cover each good deal with a plastic baggie to keep in humidness , then place in indirect , vivid light .
Your cuttings should settle down in 14 to 20 day .
Once cuttings start to produce new increase , you may gradually decrease their humidity by afford the plastic bags more and more , until you eventually take them entirely .
From Air Tubers
When your rosary vine is acquire air tubers , this bid yet another way of propagating your plant .
As with cuttings , opt about five tubers for each four - inch pot .
fill up the pot with succulent mix , leaving about an inch of room between the soil surface and the rim of the pot . Bury each tuber halfway in the soil , so half emerges above the soil line .
expend a spray bottle to irrigate the dirt so it ’s moist but not soggy .
wrap up the corporation with a plastic bag to harbour in humidity , then station these specimen in indirect bright light and keep moist until fully rooted .
As with the other propagation method acting , you’re able to start out to slay the bag once the tubers are root and showing newfangled growth .
line tubers can also be propagated while they ’re still on the parent plant through a technique called “ layering . ” Keep reading to watch more .
From Layering
Sweetheart vine can also be disperse via layering , a technique where staunch are laid across soil while they ’re still attached to the parent plant .
fill up a four - inch commode with growing medium , then drape some of the parent plant ’s vine – with or without air genus Tuber – across the Earth’s surface of the grunge . If there are air tubers on the vines , you’re able to press them partway into the growing culture medium .
Weigh the vines down with small rock and roll or tack on them down with alloy floral pins , such as these U - form pins , available in packs of 160 from the Hovesty Storevia Amazon .
Packs of 160 U - forge Floral Pins
Mist the soil to aid the vines take root , and keep it moist but not soggy .
take into account the vines to take root before discerp them from the parent plant life . This may take up to four workweek .
How to Grow
Here ’s all you need to know when it comes to growing this plant :
Light
Sir Ernst Boris Chain of ticker is evenhandedly adaptable when it come to light – however , if you require the undecomposed potential color from your plant life ’s leafage , render it with shiny collateral Light Within and up to four hour of lineal Sunday each Clarence Day .
In lower light , leaf will be lighter green with less distinct diversification .
Plants will also become etiolated , with longer space between knob as the shank are trying to reach towards the light , so watch for these sign that your plant is feeling a little athirst for more Dominicus !
Water
permit the top two inches of string of warmness ’ territory to dry out out between watering . For me , this have in mind watering approximately once a workweek during the summer . condition in your home may be different though , so adapt your schedule as needed .
In wintertime , when days are shorter and cooler , you may require to reduce lachrymation frequency . If the leaves of your plant start out to sense mushy , that ’s a sign you are overwatering .
If the foliage at the top of your plant ’s hatful is quite dull , use a well - conform houseplant tearing can for this job , so you’re able to drive the water supply directly at the soil without sprinkling the foliage .
you could discover a survival of the fittest of some of thebest watering cans for houseplant care in our clause .
Soil
Rosary vine is a succulent that requires a well - debilitate but rich grow medium , with a stain pH of 6.1 to 7.5 .
Potting mediumsdesigned for succulentsand cacti that let in some organic matter , such as compost , will make well for this species .
army tank ’s Pro Cactus and Succulent Mix contain chunkycoconut coir , horticultural pumice stone , and organic compost .
Tank ’s Pro Cactus and Succulent Mix
You ’ll find 16 - quart handbag of Tank ’s Pro Cactus and Succulent Mix available for leverage from Tank ’s Green Stuffvia Amazon .
Climatic Conditions
C. woodiithrives in mild temperature , in a range between 60 and 85 ° F .
Plants will tolerate warmer temperatures , but they may need more frequent watering and less unmediated sunshine .
On the other last of its allowance range , as a tender perennial , this plant will be pop by freeze temperatures and can be damaged by frost . So if you hang your specimen outdoors for the summer , ensure to fetch it back in before the frigid weather condition arrives .
As far as humidity goes , this plant grows well in average household humidity and does n’t ask obnubilate or other humidification efforts .
Growing Tips
Maintenance
Like any longsighted lock chamber , the vines of your string of hearts may need a chip of sustainment from sentence to time . Here are some tips for long - full term sustentation :
Pruning
You may need to prune your string of center for a few different reasons : to keep its vines at a manageable distance , to encourage branching , or for extension .
Also , if your rosary vine is living up to its nickname “ center snarl , ” pruning is sometimes the easy way to get rid of a snarl .
Sometimes trying to detangle these vines results in a heap of leafage falling off , since these leaves act like hooks , snagging on to other vines .
Trimmings can be used to begin new specimen or can even be rooted back into the same potful to create a fuller houseplant .
Whatever your intellect for pruning , be certain to sterilise your scissors or snips prior to making any cuts .
Repotting
When it ’s time to repot your specimen , pick out a pot that is just one sizing big than the current pot . This is imperative for avoiding rootage bunk , since oversized containers can cause plant root to sit down in soggy soil for extended periods of time .
While these succulent can be grown in small suspension basketball hoop , if you want really long vines , keep repot in larger containers as needed – as their roots grow , they will need more room to keep producing recollective vines .
A good repotting schedule for cosmic string of hearts is about once every two or three years , and you should project to repot in the outflow or former summertime when plant are actively growing .
For this project you ’ll need succulent growing medium , and a muckle that is just one size large than the plant ’s current container . ( Yes , this is a reminder in case you did n’t notice when I say it a few sentences ago ! )
If your specimen is in a hanging hoop , begin by removing the hanger .
Next , get the new pot ready – set a lowly amount of fresh growing mass medium in the bottom of the pot .
sour the plant sideways and gently facilitate it out of its container , taking upkeep not to pull it by its vines . Instead shove the pot if necessary to aid hit the etymon ball .
Before moving the rosary vine into its young mess , rub the palm of your hand along the base ball to relax up the root . If some of the old growing medium is bring out during this operation , mix it with some of the new develop medium to facilitate the changeover .
deposit the rosary vine in its novel pot , adding more or taking away soil as needed to pass on an inch of blank space between the stain surface and pot lip , then backfill with raise average .
Water in your specimen and recall it to its usual localization .
Fertilizing
When fertilizing drawing string of hearts , be certain to use a gentle , liquid plant food designed specifically for succulents and cacti , such as Dr. Earth ’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Food .
Dr. Earth ’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Food
You ’ll find Dr. Earth ’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Food in a commodious 16 - ounce pump bottleful from Dr. Earthvia Arbico Organics .
Cultivars to Select
Whether you choose the straight coinage or a crop variety , there are some exciting options when take a rosary vine :
String of Hearts
C. woodii , the straight mintage , has dark unripened , heart - shaped leave with ash grey veining and mottling . The back of the leaves are lite unripe to grayish - lavender in coloration .
Live String of Hearts Plant in 4 ” or 6 ” deal
If this houseplant is pulling at your heartstrings , live cosmic string of tenderness plants are usable for purchase in four- or six - inch pots from the House Plant Shopvia Amazon .
Pink Edge
‘ Pink Edge ’ is a variegated rosary vine whose new leaves follow in with pink folio margins , which mature to a creamy bloodless .
This cultivar , also known as ‘ Pearl Moon , ’ is a much slow grower than the straight species .
be Pink Edge Plant in 2.5 ” bay window
A live ‘ Pink Edge ’ plant can be purchased in a two - and - a - half - column inch mountain from Hirt ’s Gardensvia Walmart .
Silver Glory
A silver coloration dominates with the rosary vine cultivar known as ‘ Silver Glory . ’
The leaves of this selection are mostly silver , with obscure green margins and a bit of dark dark-green mottling on the top control surface of the leaf .
The bottom side of these dazzling leaves are lavender - dark-skinned .
alive Silver Glory Plant in 3 ” Pot
Did the sight of this selection make you palpate like you struck – not gold , butsilver ? You ’ll encounter a alive ‘ Silver Glory ’ plant life in a three - inch hatful from Winter Greenhousevia Walmart .
desire More pick ?
you’re able to find out more string of warmness cultivarsin our best of roundup .
Managing Pests and Disease
As a downcast - maintenance houseplant , chain of hearts is n’t especially vulnerable to pest or disease .
However , even the sturdiest houseplant can sometimes return victim to some unwashed job .
Watch out formealybugsandscale insects , especially on newly purchased specimens . These sucking worm slip food from stems and foliage , weakening them and eventually pour down the flora . Likewise , aphidsare another likely problem .
All three of these pests can leave lead of sticky honeydew behind , potentially allowing fungal pathogens to proliferate on plants in addition to the damage done via nutrient depletion .
The good intelligence is that all three of these pest – as well as many fungal plant pathogens – can be treat by dousing them with a provision of nontoxic neem oil color . Be sure to put on the nebuliser and allow industrial plant to dry away from unmediated Sunday .
If you often pamper your trajectory of houseplant fancy by acquiring new specimens , it ’s a good estimation to keep a bottle of neem oil on hand just in type , such as Theraneem 100 % Neem Oil .
Theraneem Neem Oil in 16 - Oz Bottle
Theraneem 100 percent Neem Oil is available for leverage in a sixteen - snow leopard bottle from Organix Southvia Amazon .
Be certain to follow the manufacturing business ’s pedagogy when applying this product – it needs to be load .
In addition to keeping an eye out for aphids , mealybugs , and ordered series , the main disease you should be on picket for is origin rot .
If your plant ’s foliage is droop yet its soil is wet – behold ! The dreaded ascendent rot may have fall upon once again .
This disease come when plant life are allow to stay in a torpid growing medium . This make roots to decay and allows pathogens to brandish .
If your specimen ’s pot lacks drainage , its soil is not well - draining , or it has been permit to seat in a dish of weewee , solution rot can quickly churn up the plant .
And believe me when I recite you it can only take one clip forget to empty a disk for conditions to take a bad turn !
Overly frequent tearing can also be to fault , so make certain to follow the lachrymation recommendations mentioned earlier in this clause .
Helping a houseplant recover from solution rot is n’t always successful , so bar is the best scheme .
However , if you suspect this problem , you’re able to attempt to preserve your rosary vine by hit it from its growing spiritualist , trimming any decaying roots , and repot it in impertinent growing medium in a unsex ( or new ) pot .
If there are any healthy - looking vines left , it ’s a good approximation to propagate some of them as backups as well .
Best Uses
In grammatical case you have n’t noticed yet , string of heart is a champion at looking gorgeous when elevated in a hanging basketful .
If your home happens to have really marvellous ceiling , this plant will really be capable to show off , as its vines can grow prodigiously .
On the other hired man , if suspend a basket from your cap is n’t virtual , do n’t worry , you still have options !
Fluted Gray Terra Cotta Wall Pot 7 ” x 12 ”
Rosary vine can also be grown in a wall sconce type plantation owner , such as this fluted , gray-haired terra cotta wall batch , availablefrom Terrain .
Although allow chain of spunk vines to trail down seems like the obvious choice , it ’s not the only possibleness .
This houseplant ’s vines can also be trained to growupwardson a topiary frame or a treillage .
For out-of-door plantings in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12 , string of ticker can also be allowed to spill over stone ledges in rock gardens .
Finally , for households with immature kid or funny favourite , this plant is considered nontoxic and is safe to develop and display .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Your Vines Grow!
As we would expect , this queen narrative should have a happy conclusion too , now that you know just how to keep your strand of centre happy and respectable .
And if you are interested inother vining or drop back succulentsthat work perfectly in hanging basket , take these guides next :
Photos by Kristina Hicks - Hamblin © take the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . intersection photograph via Dichondra , Dr. Earth , Hirt ’s Gardens , the House Plant Shop , the Hovesty Store , Hydrofarm , Olivia ’s Cloning Gel , Organix South , Tank ’s Green Stuff , and Terrain . Uncredited picture : Shutterstock .
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Kristina Hicks - Hamblin
