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Ceropegia woodii variegata
String of Hearts, Chain of Hearts, Rosary Vine, Hawaiian potato ball, Hearts entangledFamily: Apocynaceae (Formerly:Asclepiadaceae)
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Ceropegia woodii variegata (String of Hearts, Rosary Vine) is a plant that can grow well in shade or semi-shade in USDA Zones 9-11. It can also thrive in colder regions when grown in pots, with some extra protection from cold during dormancy. This plant is an excellent groundcover and can trail from planters and hanging baskets, making a colorful addition to any patio. Its low-growing habit and unusual color can be used as an ornamental foliage plant at the edges of a garden. The Rosary Vine will bloom in the summer and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Its delicate heart-shaped leaves make it an excellent house plant and an attractive addition to any garden.
The Rosary plant is a durable house plant that can withstand neglect, dry air, or drought and bounce back with a single watering. The vines of the Rosary plant are like thin wires with marbled, heart-shaped leaves that may get pinkish in bright light. The stems will reach two to four feet in length, so the plant should be hung or set on a pedestal where it will receive bright light for most of the day. During the summer, Ceropegias prefer temperatures around 70-75F. But during the winter, when it is dormant, it should be kept in a cooler room if possible (60-65F). Care should be taken to avoid overwatering, as this plant is somewhat succulent. Water thoroughly, and then allow the soil to completely dry out before watering again. During the active growing period of spring and summer, the Rosary plant should be fed monthly with an all-purpose liquid houseplant food diluted to half strength. Use a porous potting soil with coarse sand added when you repot this vine in early spring, making sure to provide adequate drainage.
Two unique features of the Rosary vine are the flowers and the "beads". The slender flowers resemble an inverted, small pink vase, with delicate purple bars closing the end of the tube. Hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers if the plant is placed outdoors during the summer months. The beads are small tubers that form along the stem at the leaf bases. These beads can be planted to produce new vines.
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