Types of Succulent Vines

Burro's Tail

• Burro's tail (Sedum morganianum) is rather descriptively named since its leaf-covered stems hang like down like thick tails. Each stem is about 2 feet long, with the 1-inch succulent leaves occurring in clusters down the stem. The leaves come off easily when brushed, so a hanging basket helps protect stems while ably showing off the tails.

Rat's Tail Cactus

• All cacti are succulents, but few of us think of them as vining. Nevertheless, the rat's tail cactus (Aporocactus flagelliformis) produces spiny stems that are suitable for draping over the sides of a hanging pot. Although the name of the plant doesn't seem aesthetically promising, in bloom, rat's tail is striking, with vivid purplish, pink or red flowers.

Rosary Vine

• The rosary vine (Ceropegia woodii) produces thin long stems of a purplish hue and heart-shaped leaves of less than an inch long. The leaves are silver and green on top and green and purple underneath. These leaves are responsible for some of the plants other common names, including string of hearts, chain of hearts and hearts entangled, since the stems can get tangled if left to travel out on their own outside of the confines of a pot. The name rosary vine likely comes from tubers the stems produce along leaf nodes. These tubers can be used to grow new plants. Tubers also grow within the soil from the roots, and these, too, can make new succulents.

String of Pearls

• Known also as string of beads, the string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) plant produces long, thin stringlike stems with small globular leaves spaced evenly apart down the length of a trailing vine. Each leaf is only about 1/4 inch in diameter. Though to some, the leaves might look like berries or peas, they are poisonous when eaten. The plant's flowers are not much bigger than the leaves, growing from thin side shoots, one flower to a shoot. Blooms are white with noticeable purple stamens, the flowers possessing a spicy scent.