Ceropegia
Wax vine
- Height × spread
- 0.1m – 0.1m × 1m – 1.5m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are around 160 species of Ceropegia, both vines and shrubby-looking herbaceous plants. They are widespread in the warmer parts of the world in tropical regions of Africa and Asia as well as Australia and also the Canary Islands. Since they naturally enjoy dry conditions and are tolerant of low humidity, a number of them are well suited to life in a domestic household. They are often grown as trailing plants, growing from suspended baskets and delighting with their curious flowers. These are tubular but come in a range of shapes, sometimes having a bulbous base, sometimes extending the lobes which touch at their tips to form a cage-like structure. The flowers are in shades of green, red, or yellow and brown. In general they prefer bright or indirect light and should only be watered when the compost dries out, too much water can kill them. They can be grown in a cactus compost and fed monthly from late spring to autumn with a cactus feed. They are not frost-hardy.
- Flower colour
- Pink
- Foliage colour
- Green, Grey, Pink
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Prostrate
- Height
- 0.1m – 0.1m
- Spread
- 1m – 1.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- A light position not direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with low nitrogen feed
Use a houseplant fertiliser that has low nitrogen content. Apply this several times while the plant is in active growth, reduce feeding and then stop feeding when the plant begins to fade, or winter starts.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where nitrogen has a low value.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water to keep the soil moist
Water moderately from the period when growth starts (around April) until the early autumn (September).
Spring-Winter · Indoors
Don't water while dormant
Keep the compost or the plant tuber, rhizome or bulb completely dry when the plant is dormant.
The plant requires a rest period in order to thrive. Watering at this time may prevent dormancy, or may induce rot or disease.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Planting
Support tall stems
The plant may require support for long stems. Provide an artificial frame which it can grow through, or loosely tie the whole plant. A network of twigs can be woven together to provide a framework through which the plant can grow.
Tall stems can lean or be battered by weather. Support the plant to keep its vertical lines, aiming for a natural appearance which is easy on the eye.
Planting & general
Compost · Outdoors
Houseplant compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality house plant compost.
Compost · Planting
Loam based compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality standard compost.
Alternatively prepare a special compost that is best suited to the plant's needs: mix equal amounts of loam (John Innes no. 2 or 3), leaf mould, sand or grit and perlite.
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in indirect light indoors
Give the plant a position that is cool and light, and away from direct sunshine.