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Lantern flowers (Ceropegia)
Also known as : Snake creepers, Necklace vines, Parachute flowers, Rosary vines
Lantern flowers are a group of plants that share an interesting trait: the peculiar pitfall flowers in the shape of a parasol, lantern, or pipe that are usually arranged in umbels. Also, most species grow as vines with lacy stems, with showy, heart-shaped leaves scattered along the stems. This feature spurred the alternative name "String of hearts." Due to the unusual attractive looks, lantern flowers are traded and kept as ornamentals. 
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Succulent
Key Facts About Lantern flowers
Feedback
Attributes of Lantern flowers
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Ideal Temperature
20 - 41 ℃
Scientific Classification of Lantern flowers
Distribution of Lantern flowers
Feedback
Distribution Map of Lantern flowers
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Lantern flowers
Feedback
Lantern flowers is a distinctive plant genus, particularly known for its unique lantern-shaped flowers and trailing stems that are popular among houseplant enthusiasts. They are relatively low-maintenance, requiring a balance of bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. Basic care includes allowing the soil to dry out between waterings and providing a warm environment free from drafts. Common challenges comprise root rot from overwatering, pests like spider mites, and leaf yellowing. Seasonal considerations entail less frequent watering in winter and vigilance for proper light exposure as day lengths vary.
How to Water Lantern flowers?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Lantern flowers?
How to Propagate Lantern flowers?
How to Plant Lantern flowers?
Exploring the Lantern flowers Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Zulu giant
Zulu giant (Ceropegia gigantea) is a flowering plant species native to South Africa and Tanzania. Zulu giant is also known by the alternative latin name Stapelia gigantea. This species is commonly planted for ornamental purposes in subtropical zones, and grown indoors in temperate zones. It cannot tolerate low temperatures for long periods of time. Zulu giant attracts flies, which pollinate the plant after being attracted to the distinct rotting-flesh smell of its flowers.
String of hearts
String of hearts (Ceropegia collaricorona subsp. collaricorona) is an evergreen perennial hanging plant named for the heart-shaped, dappled green leaves that trail along the vine. Blooms from late summer to early fall with showy, tubular-shaped purple and cream-colored flowers. When grown indoors, it needs direct and indirect light. If not given enough light, the foliage will become sparse, but too much light can cause irreparable damage.
Starfish Cactus
Native to South Africa, the starfish Cactus is not actually a cactus. Instead, it is a member of the milkweed family. Its star-shaped flowers resemble an open wound and give off the odor of roadkill, or carrion (which gives the plant its name).
String of hearts
The leaves of the string of hearts are subcordate, and remain a dark green year-round, with white patterns on their upper surface and a purple leaf back. The string of hearts has slender, soft vines that always extend out of its pot. This makes it suitable for stand-alone potting in hanging baskets, or for climbing, as well as for binding into different bonsai shapes.
Persian carpet flower
Persian carpet flower (Ceropegia sordida) is a perennial, drought-tolerant cactus known for its unusual, stinky flowers. Persian carpet flower can grow in partial shade or full sunlight, so it makes a good houseplant if the odor is tolerable. This species grows in the wild in California and is pollinated by flies.
Carrion plant
Carrion plant (Ceropegia grandiflora) is a perennial species that is often cultivated in gardens and pots due to its unique color and shape. The carrion plant is also called the starfish cactus and the starfish plant because it resembles the sea creature. This species is not a true cactus and originates in South Africa.
Lantern flower
Lantern flower (Ceropegia pillansii) is a flowering evergreen succulent species often cultivated as a houseplant in pots. Lantern flower is cultivated outdoors in the southwestern and southern United States. This species grows best in full sunlight and well-drained soil. It is originally from southern Asia, Australia, and Africa.
Rhytidocaulon
Ceropegia macroloba subsp. macroloba is the most widespread subspecies of rhytidocaulon in its native foothills within the central highlands of Yemen. Ceropegia macroloba subsp. macroloba is relatively rare in cultivation, although it is grown and sometimes traded by succulent collectors. While the optimal growth conditions for Ceropegia macroloba subsp. macroloba in cultivation are largely uncharacterized, it has been reported to grow outdoors in Florida within the United States.
All Species of Lantern flowers
Zulu giant
Zulu giant
Zulu giant (Ceropegia gigantea) is a flowering plant species native to South Africa and Tanzania. Zulu giant is also known by the alternative latin name Stapelia gigantea. This species is commonly planted for ornamental purposes in subtropical zones, and grown indoors in temperate zones. It cannot tolerate low temperatures for long periods of time. Zulu giant attracts flies, which pollinate the plant after being attracted to the distinct rotting-flesh smell of its flowers.
String of hearts
String of hearts
String of hearts (Ceropegia collaricorona subsp. collaricorona) is an evergreen perennial hanging plant named for the heart-shaped, dappled green leaves that trail along the vine. Blooms from late summer to early fall with showy, tubular-shaped purple and cream-colored flowers. When grown indoors, it needs direct and indirect light. If not given enough light, the foliage will become sparse, but too much light can cause irreparable damage.
Starfish Cactus
Starfish Cactus
Native to South Africa, the starfish Cactus is not actually a cactus. Instead, it is a member of the milkweed family. Its star-shaped flowers resemble an open wound and give off the odor of roadkill, or carrion (which gives the plant its name).
String of hearts
String of hearts
The leaves of the string of hearts are subcordate, and remain a dark green year-round, with white patterns on their upper surface and a purple leaf back. The string of hearts has slender, soft vines that always extend out of its pot. This makes it suitable for stand-alone potting in hanging baskets, or for climbing, as well as for binding into different bonsai shapes.
Persian carpet flower
Persian carpet flower
Persian carpet flower (Ceropegia sordida) is a perennial, drought-tolerant cactus known for its unusual, stinky flowers. Persian carpet flower can grow in partial shade or full sunlight, so it makes a good houseplant if the odor is tolerable. This species grows in the wild in California and is pollinated by flies.
Carrion plant
Carrion plant
Carrion plant (Ceropegia grandiflora) is a perennial species that is often cultivated in gardens and pots due to its unique color and shape. The carrion plant is also called the starfish cactus and the starfish plant because it resembles the sea creature. This species is not a true cactus and originates in South Africa.
Lantern flower
Lantern flower
Lantern flower (Ceropegia pillansii) is a flowering evergreen succulent species often cultivated as a houseplant in pots. Lantern flower is cultivated outdoors in the southwestern and southern United States. This species grows best in full sunlight and well-drained soil. It is originally from southern Asia, Australia, and Africa.
Rhytidocaulon
Rhytidocaulon
Ceropegia macroloba subsp. macroloba is the most widespread subspecies of rhytidocaulon in its native foothills within the central highlands of Yemen. Ceropegia macroloba subsp. macroloba is relatively rare in cultivation, although it is grown and sometimes traded by succulent collectors. While the optimal growth conditions for Ceropegia macroloba subsp. macroloba in cultivation are largely uncharacterized, it has been reported to grow outdoors in Florida within the United States.
Needle vine
Needle vine
Needle vine (Ceropegia dichotoma) is an unusual ornamental that offers great garden interest with its bizarre yellow-white horned fruits. In the wild, this dry-climate plant's pale green sausage-like stems are easy to locate in its native rocky hillside home. Although it prefers hot climates, it is quite resilient in mild weather as well, and is very resistant to most insects.
Stapelia macrocarpa
Stapelia macrocarpa
Stapelia macrocarpa (Ceropegia macrocarpa subsp. macrocarpa) is flowering succulent indigenous to rocky granite-containing soils of Ethiopia. Stapelia macrocarpa is considered easy to grow and requires moderate watering. This species should be kept in well-drained soil, especially in winter, to avoid root rot.
Ceropegia pilifera subsp. pilifera
Ceropegia pilifera subsp. pilifera
Ceropegia pilifera subsp. pilifera is an ornamental succulent species sometimes called Hoodia. Care should be taken when handling Ceropegia pilifera subsp. pilifera because it can cause skin irritation. This species is drought-tolerant and sensitive to overwatering.
Lifesaver plant
Lifesaver plant
Huernia zebrina is a perennial evergreen flowering succulent which is often grown in gardens or kept as a houseplant. Huernia zebrina requires pots with adequate water drainage to survive. This species is often planted in gardens as ground cover.
Ceropegia caudata subsp. caudata
Ceropegia caudata subsp. caudata
Ceropegia caudata subsp. caudata is a peculiar succulent native to eastern Africa with thorny branches and star-shaped flowers. Although beautiful, the flowers can have an unpleasant smell. Like other succulents, it is drought tolerant and highly susceptible to fungal infections and mealy bugs if overwatered.
Ceropegia duemmeri
Ceropegia duemmeri
Ceropegia duemmeri is a tropical succulent popular because of its highly distinctive fleshy and star-shaped green flowers. Since it is shade tolerant but can’t survive frost, it is most commonly grown as a houseplant. Container growth is ideal since this plant requires good drainage and can be damaged by overwatering.
Ceropegia sulcata subsp. sulcata
Ceropegia sulcata subsp. sulcata
Ceropegia sulcata subsp. sulcata is a drought-tolerant succulent species valued for ornamental purposes. Ceropegia sulcata subsp. sulcata is considered easy to grow in containers as long as it is given adequate amounts of water during the summer months but is not overwatered. This species grows best in neutral to acidic soil conditions and can be propagated from stem cuttings.
Stapelia leendertziae
Stapelia leendertziae
Stapelia leendertziae is named for its huge, bell-shaped, purple-black flowers, which make this plant easy to identify in late summer. The species name, *leendertziae*, commemorates Reino Leendertz, the notable Dutch botanist who first described the plant.
Parachute plant
Parachute plant
The parachute plant is named for its unusual parachute-shaped flowers. These flowers, which resemble those of carnivorous plants, trap insects with sticky hairs ensuring that they pollinate the plant. Later, the insects are released if they survive. This is a popular ornamental plant for its unusual appearance and its ease of growth.
Ceropegia linearis
Ceropegia linearis
Ceropegia linearis is a semi-succulent climber which can grow stems 2 meters long. The unusually shaped flowers are white to pale pink. Although ceropegia linearis and its close relative, String of Hearts, are usually grown as hanging plants, they are also ground covers.
Red Dragon Flower
Red Dragon Flower
Resembling a mass of trailing cacti, red Dragon Flower is a sun-loving, perennial succulent native to eastern and southern Africa. This gray-green plant's leafless, spiky-looking stemedges protect delicate, vibrant red flowers, which grow an eye-catching corona in their centers. The red Dragon Flower thrives in arid environments, storing water in its fleshy stems to withstand drought.
Ceropegia migiurtina
Ceropegia migiurtina
This rare succulent looks like a pale green alien-like blob or a olive-green knobby rock. The ceropegia migiurtina (Ceropegia migiurtina) will bloom a uniquely menacing-looking maroon flower in the summer. It prefers full sun to partial sun, and will not tolerate over-watering.
Ceropegia gordonii
Ceropegia gordonii
Ceropegia gordonii is a succulent found in the Cape Provinces, Free State, and Namibia in Africa. It grows as a single stem before branching out. The flowers smell like rotting flesh in order to attract its natural pollinators, flies.
More Popular Genus
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Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Lantern flowers
Ceropegia
Also known as: Snake creepers, Necklace vines, Parachute flowers, Rosary vines
Lantern flowers are a group of plants that share an interesting trait: the peculiar pitfall flowers in the shape of a parasol, lantern, or pipe that are usually arranged in umbels. Also, most species grow as vines with lacy stems, with showy, heart-shaped leaves scattered along the stems. This feature spurred the alternative name "String of hearts." Due to the unusual attractive looks, lantern flowers are traded and kept as ornamentals.
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Succulent
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Key Facts About Lantern flowers
Feedback
Attributes of Lantern flowers
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Ideal Temperature
20 - 41 ℃
Scientific Classification of Lantern flowers
Distribution of Lantern flowers
Feedback
Distribution Map of Lantern flowers
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Lantern flowers
Feedback
Lantern flowers is a distinctive plant genus, particularly known for its unique lantern-shaped flowers and trailing stems that are popular among houseplant enthusiasts. They are relatively low-maintenance, requiring a balance of bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. Basic care includes allowing the soil to dry out between waterings and providing a warm environment free from drafts. Common challenges comprise root rot from overwatering, pests like spider mites, and leaf yellowing. Seasonal considerations entail less frequent watering in winter and vigilance for proper light exposure as day lengths vary.
How to Water Lantern flowers?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Lantern flowers?
How to Propagate Lantern flowers?
How to Plant Lantern flowers?
Exploring the Lantern flowers Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Zulu giant
Zulu giant (Ceropegia gigantea) is a flowering plant species native to South Africa and Tanzania. Zulu giant is also known by the alternative latin name Stapelia gigantea. This species is commonly planted for ornamental purposes in subtropical zones, and grown indoors in temperate zones. It cannot tolerate low temperatures for long periods of time. Zulu giant attracts flies, which pollinate the plant after being attracted to the distinct rotting-flesh smell of its flowers.
String of hearts
String of hearts (Ceropegia collaricorona subsp. collaricorona) is an evergreen perennial hanging plant named for the heart-shaped, dappled green leaves that trail along the vine. Blooms from late summer to early fall with showy, tubular-shaped purple and cream-colored flowers. When grown indoors, it needs direct and indirect light. If not given enough light, the foliage will become sparse, but too much light can cause irreparable damage.
Starfish Cactus
Native to South Africa, the starfish Cactus is not actually a cactus. Instead, it is a member of the milkweed family. Its star-shaped flowers resemble an open wound and give off the odor of roadkill, or carrion (which gives the plant its name).
String of hearts
The leaves of the string of hearts are subcordate, and remain a dark green year-round, with white patterns on their upper surface and a purple leaf back. The string of hearts has slender, soft vines that always extend out of its pot. This makes it suitable for stand-alone potting in hanging baskets, or for climbing, as well as for binding into different bonsai shapes.
Show More Species
All Species of Lantern flowers
Zulu giant
String of hearts
Starfish Cactus
String of hearts
Persian carpet flower
Carrion plant
Lantern flower
Rhytidocaulon
Needle vine
Stapelia macrocarpa
Ceropegia pilifera subsp. pilifera
Lifesaver plant
Ceropegia caudata subsp. caudata
Ceropegia duemmeri
Ceropegia sulcata subsp. sulcata
Stapelia leendertziae
Parachute plant
Ceropegia linearis
Red Dragon Flower
Ceropegia migiurtina
Ceropegia gordonii
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
