About
Ceropegia stapeliiformis is a perennial succulent that can grow up to 1.5 meters in height, exhibiting a trailing or climbing growth habit. It features fibrous roots and thick, arching stems, along with small, triangular, scale-like leaves that are somewhat rudimentary. In summer, this plant produces tubular flowers that are approximately 5 centimeters long. These light green blooms have a hairy texture and display dark red-purple markings, spots, and stripes, appearing on twisting flower stems.
About the genus
Ceropegia includes evergreen or semi-evergreen perennials that can grow upright, climb, or trail. These plants typically have succulent leaves arranged oppositely and produce uniquely shaped flowers during the summer. After flowering, they may develop cylindrical fruits filled with silky, tufted seeds.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Cactus Succulent
- Habit
- Trailing, Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants, Sub-tropical
- Native to
- S Africa (E Cape)
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in cactus compost in bright filtered light, water moderately and apply a low nitrogen liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times during the growing season. Keep plants dry at other times
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed at 19-24°C (66-75°F) in early spring; alternatively take stem cuttings, 10-15cm (4-6in) long in early summer, root in a cactus compost at 22-25°C (72-77°F), and keep moist
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to mealybugs, aphids and scale insects
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to basal rot if too wet in winter