Chain of hearts
Ceropegia woodii

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A vine that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1 m high and spreads 1 m wide. The stems are slender and twining. The leaves are heart shaped and silver and purple. The flowers are small purple tubes. They have expanding lobes.

Also put in the family Asclepiadaceae.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It is best in rich, well-drained soils. It needs a sunny position. It is damaged by drought or frost. It needs a temperature above 15°C.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Eswatini, India, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tasmania, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Root, tubers

How it is grown

It can be grown by seeds, cuttings or division of the tubers.

Its other names

Local names

Srčastolistna svetilnica

Synonyms

Ceropegia barbertonensis N. E. Br.; Ceropegia collaricorona Werderm.; Ceropegia euryacme Schltr.; Ceropegia hastata N. E. Br.; Ceropegia leptocarpa Schltr.; Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii (Schltr.) H. Huber; Ceropegia schoenlandii N. E. Br.;