Ceropegia sandersonii aka Fountain Flower

Taxonomy

Ceropegia sandersonii, also known as parachute plant, fountain flower, and umbrella plant, is a species of flowering plant native to Mozambique, South Africa, and Eswatini. It is an evergreen, prostrate, slender twiner with sparse, succulent leaves and forms narrowly fusiform root clusters. Its distinctive greenish white funnel-shaped flowers are 5–7 cm long and are placed on a delicate stalk with the petals partially fused to form a dome shape while the fused bottom forms the tube, also referred to as windows. This species attracts Desmometopa flies of the family Milichiidae by simulating the scent of an injured honey bee, tricking the flies into pollinating. Ceropegia woodii, also known as String of Hearts, Rosary Vine, or Sweetheart Vine, is a trailing succulent-like plant native to South Africa with delicate heart-shaped foliage and slender vines that can reach up to 12' long. Parachute Plant is a rare houseplant that needs very little water to thrive and should be placed less than 3 feet from a window. It should be in well-draining soil and not need additional fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

Common names

Fountain Flower, Parachute Plant

How to care for Fountain Flower

Difficulty

Caring for Fountain Flower is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Fountain Flower does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

Soil

Fountain Flower loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Fountain Flower requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Parachute Plant is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Fountain Flower to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Humidity

No extra humidity is necessary for the Fountain Flower. Absorption of water by plants is primarily done through their roots, and soil watering is the most effective method to provide humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Fountain Flower should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Fountain Flower’s native range is Africa to Southern Asia and Australia.


More info:
Wikipedia