Chandelierflowers have showy blooms that sometimes resemble candlesticks, sometimes like little parachutes. We present the most beautiful species and explain what needs to be considered when caring for them.
In addition to the well-known String of Hearts, there are many other candlestick flowers that can be kept as indoor plants. Most are quite easy to care for and immediately catch the eye because of their special flowers. Here you will find all information about care, location and the most beautiful species.
Chandelier flowers: flower, origin and properties
The genus of candlestick flowers (Ceropegia) belongs to the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) and is distributed in Africa, Asia and Australia. The plants probably got their name because of their flowers, the shape of which is reminiscent of small candlesticks. Depending on the species, the flowers have different shapes and colors. They are also known as glide traps because they attract insects for pollination. The insects are trapped in the flower for a short time and are only released after they have picked up the pollen. If the Ceropegia is in a suitable location with sufficient light, it can flower throughout the growing season. Candlestick flowers form long stolons that either crawl across the ground or climb up other plants. Some species are evergreen while others shed their leaves. Many of the species are succulents and store water in their leaves, roots or shoots.
The most beautiful Ceropegia species and varieties
Chandelier flowers can look very different. This affects flowers as well as leaves. Here we briefly present the most beautiful species:
Ceropegia ampliata: The flowers of this Ceropegia are white to light green and have a tubular shape Shape. The deciduous leaves are lanceolate and sit on long, tapering shoots that can grow up to two meters long. They are quickly shed after sprouting. Ceropegia ampliata originally comes fromSouth Africa and Madagascar.
Ceropegia armandii: This species has particularly unusual flowers, because the umbrella in this case consists of five yellow-green tubes, which form a kind of cage around the center of the flower. The trunk is mostly woody at the base and long shoots emanate from it during the growing season. Here, too, the leaves are thrown off quickly after they have sprouted. Ceropegia armandii needs a large pot for its roots. It thrives best in slightly acidic cactus substrate.
Ceropegia sandersonii: Because of its flower shape, this climbing species is also known as parachute flower or umbrella flower. The greenish-pink flowers look as if they are covered by an umbrella. It originally comes from southern Africa and (like many Ceropegia species) is also kept as a climbing houseplant.
Ceropegia stapeliiformis: The petals of this species are very narrow and pointed. When the flower is open, they act like funnels. The small leaves are thrown off after a short time. This candlestick flower is considered a more demanding species, especially when it comes to the right amount of water. It also prefers a slightly alkaline cactus soil.
Ceropegia woodii: The evergreen String of Hearts is one of the most popular Ceropegia houseplants . The heart-shaped leaves on the long shoots look great in a traffic light pot. Compared to many other Ceropegia species, the flower is rather inconspicuous, but impresses with its beautiful pink hue.
Ceropegia haygarthii: This semi-evergreen species belongs to stem succulents, which means that water is stored in the shoot. This gives the plant a special look as the shoots are thick and bright green. But the flowers are also quite impressive, with their creamy-white and red-spotted coloring.
Planting candlestick flowers: location, soil and more
Chandelier flowers prefer a bright spot in the home. are they too shadythe leaves can fade and the stems of the shoots can become long and unstable. Permanent direct sunlight can lead to leaf damage. Chandelier flowers like to see a few hours of sunshine in the morning or in the evening. A normal room temperature is sufficient for them.
Tip: Candlestick flowers can be kept at room temperature all year round. But it is also possible to overwinter the plant cooler. This gives her a break and stimulates flowering. A temperature of around 10 °C is suitable for this, the plant then needs even less water.
Give your candlestick a substrate that is above all permeable and well-drained. Waterlogging can lead to root rot and does not get the succulent at all. A high-quality potting soil, such as our Plantura organic universal soil, is ideal for the candlestick flower. Due to the contained clay minerals, water can be optimally stored and released to the plant when needed. This means that it does not have to be constantly watered and the substrate does not get wet. To further increase permeability, you can make a mixture of two parts earth and one part crushed expanded clay, sand, lava split or pumice.
The planter should definitely have a drainage hole through which excess water can drain. Add a layer of pebbles or similar coarse material to the bottom of the pot for better drainage.
Chandelier flower care: The most important measures
There is not much to care for candlestick flowers because, like many succulents, most types of candlestick flowers are fairly easy to care for.
Water and fertilize
Ceropegia species, like any plant, need water and nutrients from time to time. However, you should be sparing in both cases, otherwise there is a risk of waterlogging and over-fertilization. In summer, give the candlestick a little water once or twice a week so that the root ball does not dry out. The substrate surface can dry in the meantime. If water runs out of the pot into the planter or saucer, remove it after watering. Fertilizing every four weeks during the growing season between April and September is sufficient. High-quality liquid fertilizers are suitable for this, such as our primarily organic Plantura organic indoor and green plant fertilizer. This is added with the irrigation water and provides the plant with nutrientsdirectly available. The organic fertilizer ensures he althy growth and strengthens roots and leaves. It also contains useful microorganisms that can protect the roots from fungal diseases. Since succulents have a rather low nutrient requirement, a dosage of half the concentration is sufficient.
Cut candlestick flower
Since candlestick flowers usually form long runners, you may want to shorten the plant. A cut is not necessary, but with the Ceropegia it means that no new shoots are formed. To do this, cut off the shoot at the desired point in the spring with a sharp knife. The separated shoot can also be used for propagation via cuttings.
Repot Ceropegia
As with most plants, once the pot is fully rooted, the candlestick flower should be repotted in a larger planter in spring. On average, repotting every two to three years is sufficient. Care must be taken here so that the long, stiff shoots do not break off.
Chandelier Flower Losing Leaves: What Can You Do?
First of all, it is quite normal for some candlestick species to shed their leaves shortly after they have sprouted. So there is no need to worry. Some of the leaves will sprout again after they are dropped. It is therefore best to find out exactly whether your Ceropegia is a species that sheds its leaves regularly or not.
However, it is possible that the candlestick flower does not get enough water and therefore loses its leaves. Therefore, check whether the substrate is sufficiently moist. Excessive watering can also lead to waterlogging and thus to root rot and leaf shedding. If the substrate is wet, you should repot the plant into fresh substrate and water less.
Propagating candlestick flowers: offshoots, nodules or cuttings?
It is very easy to propagate a Candlestick Flower. You can either use cuttings or nodules found in the leaf axils of older candlestick flowers.
Chandelier flower cuttings are obtained by cutting off the shoots. This should be done in the spring when the growth phase begins. With a sharp knife, cut off a shoot that is at least 10 cm long and remove the bottom onesleaves and allow the cut surface to dry for a few days to prevent rot. The shoot can then be placed cut side down in a substrate similar to that of the mother plant at temperatures between 16 and 18 °C.
To propagate candlestick flower via brood nodules, collect the brood nodules in the leaf axils and place them on fresh substrate with a thin layer of sand on the surface to prevent the nodules from rotting. The nodules are lightly pressed and also kept at temperatures between 16 and 18 °C until germination begins.
Are candlestick flowers poisonous?
It has not been finally clarified whether the candlestick flowers are poisonous. Since no cases of poisoning are known, it can be assumed that candlestick flowers are non-toxic. To be on the safe side, however, neither animals nor children should be allowed to eat parts of the candlestick flower - or ornamental plants in general.
Chandelier flowers captivate with their hanging shoots, especially in hanging baskets. We'll show you how to make a hanging basket yourself.