Ceropegia Woodii 

Ceropegia woodii is a perennial plant of the semi-arid environments of South Africa and is part of the family Asclepiadaceae which includes more than 2000 species. It is a very hardy plant that will be perfect for a beginning gardener.

Ceropegia woodii is a tuberous plant that is part of the so-called caudex plants, whose bulbs serve as a water reserve, giving them the ability to withstand periods of drought. Ceropegia woodii tubers emerge from long purple stems up to 2.5 m long. Along these stems grow pretty little heart-shaped leaves (which is why it is called the heart chain), dark green and purple in colour.

In summer, small lantern-shaped flowers with small purple hairs appear. 

The ceropegia will need a very bright location, avoiding direct sunlight - the more light there is, the more intense the colours of the foliage will be!

Use a special cactus soil mix so that water does not stagnate.

A mixture of 40% sand, 40% potting soil and 20% perlite will suit it perfectly.

And don't forget to give it a regular supply of fertiliser on sunny days.

It is very resistant to parasites, but some scales can sometimes get lodged in it.