The genus Ceropegia belongs to the Asclepiadoideae sub-family within the family Apocynaceae. Species of this genus bear similarities to the carrion flowers or Stapelias. There are between 160 and 200 species worldwide and they are found widely from the Canary Islands, Africa, Madagascar, Arabia, India, Sri Lanka, southern China, Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea and Queensland. It was named by Carl Linnaeus, who first described this genus in volume 1 of his Species plantarum, which appeared in 1753. Linnaeus thought that the flowers looked like a fountain of wax. From this the scientific name was derived: keros meaning wax and pege meaning fountain. They have many common names including lantern flower, parasol flower, parachute flower, bushmans pipe, string of hearts, snake creeper, wine-glass vine, rosary vine and necklace vine. Ceropegia species have attracted much attention from botanists, horticulturalists, gardeners and succulent plant enthusiasts. Numerous species are commercially available and grown as ornamental container and indoor plants. They can be propagated by seed and cuttings.

Ceropegia woodii commonly known as String of Hearts or Rosary Vine is an excellent hanging basket plant with long, pendulous stems and small heart-shaped leaves. Leaves are dark green and marbled with silver. String of Hearts is indigenous to South Africa but also appears in South Zimbabwe. They bloom from summer to autumn. The 2.5cm tall flowers resemble small upturned vases which are bulbous at the base. Over time this plant will produce a lovely above ground caudex.