Ceropegia sandersonii (Parachute Plant) - Care Information

Ceropegia  sandersonii (Parachute Plant) - Care Information

Important: Please read carefully and keep for future reference

Description: A scrambling climbing succulent with fleshy leaves and stems. The remarkable flowers are unusual in that the corolla (petals) are fused at their tips, creating a green spotted canopy over a white spotted and striped throat. The flowers generally appear in summer when day lengths are long but may flower sporadically during the rest of the year. It will need a support to climb up. You could make a wire frame to train it over in any shape you like.

Position: Ceropegias require natural but indirect sunlight. They will scorch on a sunny windowsill. They need to be kept at a minimum temperature of 10°C (50°F). It is best to keep them in the house for most of the year but they can be put outside in a warm summer. During the winter in a centrally heated house the air can become very dry. Most house plants will benefit from a daily spritz of water to increase humidity. This can be done with a small handheld spray bottle.

Watering: Water sparingly, particularly in winter as they do not like sitting in very wet compost. Before watering test the moisture level of the compost with your finger. Water only when the surface of the compost is dry. If the plant is standing inside a container/ saucer without drainage holes ensure that there is no standing water in the bottom. It is a good idea to put some pebbles or grit in the bottom.

Feeding: In general Ceropegias do not require much feeding and care needs to be taken not to overfeed them or use the wrong feed. A low nitrogen Cactus food may be used but only during the summer and no more 2 or 3 times in a growing season.

Potting on: It is important not to over pot these plants as they are slow growing and do not like a lot of compost around the roots. In a year or two’s time and only when the plants have formed a visible, full root-ball they could be planted into the next size up. Do this between May and August when the plant is in active growth and not in winter when the growth rate will have slowed down.

Compost: Ceropegias require a well-drained compost. You can use ready-made cactus compost or make your own by mixing 3 parts John Innes No. 2, loam based compost with 1 parts horticultural grit or sharp sand (not builder’s sand). This creates a mix with a nice open structure with good drainage.