Ceropegia woodii trails thin wiry stems studded with small heart-shaped leaves marbled in silver and green, purple underneath. Stems reach 2m (6ft) or more from a small pot.
It is a semi-succulent, which is the key to keeping it alive.
Light
Ceropegia woodii grows best in bright, indirect light. Some direct morning sun deepens the purple and keeps growth compact.
Too little light
The stems run long and bare, with wide gaps between the leaves, and the purple fades. This is the most common complaint about the plant.
Too much light
Hours of hot afternoon sun scorch the fine leaves.
Watering
Water only when the soil is completely dry throughout. The leaves and the tubers store water, and overwatering is by far the most common way these are lost.
On average:
- Spring & summer: every 2-3 weeks
- Autumn & winter: every 4-6 weeks
Signs of overwatering
- Leaves yellow and drop
- Stems go mushy near the soil
- Tubers at the base go soft
Signs of underwatering
- Leaves go flat and slightly wrinkled
- Leaves feel papery rather than plump
Humidity and temperature
Humidity is irrelevant. Dry indoor air suits it.
Keep it between 15°C and 27°C (59-80°F).
Soil and repotting
Soil
A gritty cactus mix with extra perlite. Ordinary compost holds too much water around the tuber.
Repotting
Rarely. It flowers and grows well pot-bound, and a large pot of damp soil is a risk rather than a benefit.
Pruning and grooming
Trim any stem to length and it will branch below the cut. Trailing stems that go bare at the top are usually a light problem rather than something pruning fixes.
You can also coil a long stem back onto the surface of the soil. Wherever a node touches damp compost it roots, which thickens the top of the plant.
Feeding
Half-strength cactus fertiliser every 6 to 8 weeks through spring and summer. Nothing in winter.
The tubers are free plants
Small round tubers form along the stems, sometimes called aerial potatoes.
Press one onto the surface of damp compost in a separate pot while it is still attached to the parent. Once it roots, cut the stem either side and you have a new plant.
Common problems
Long stretches of bare stem
Not enough light.
Yellow leaves dropping
Overwatering. Check the tuber at the base for softness.
Wrinkled, flat leaves
Thirst. They plump back up within a couple of days.
Tangled, matted stems
Normal with length. Lift and separate them occasionally rather than letting them knot.