String of pearls
You may see this plant sold or labelled as Curio rowleyanus after a taxonomic reclassification, but Senecio remains the name it's overwhelmingly still sold and searched under — kept here as the primary name for that reason, the same judgment call already applied to Sansevieria/Dracaena in this KB.
Care
Needs strong light to keep the bead-like leaves plump and closely spaced; low light causes stretched, sparse growth.
Allow compost to dry out completely between waterings; the pea-like leaves store water and rot quickly if kept wet.
Free-draining cactus/succulent compost.
Trim back straggly or bare strands to just above a leaf to encourage fresh new growth from the base; trimmed pieces root easily if wanted for propagation.
One or two weak cactus feeds over the summer. A string-of-pearls that is fed and watered like a normal houseplant produces long bare strands and shrivelled beads — the opposite of what you want.
Lay a length of stem on the compost surface and pin it down; it roots at the nodes where it touches. This is also the way to thicken a bald patch at the top of a hanging pot.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- AprilResume light feeding with a dilute succulent feed as growth picks up. how ›
- JuneGive the brightest spot available, ideally a hanging position where the trailing strands can hang freely.
- NovemberCut watering right back for winter. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilResume light feeding with a dilute succulent feed as growth picks up. how ›
- JuneGive the brightest spot available, ideally a hanging position where the trailing strands can hang freely.
- NovemberCut watering right back for winter. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilResume light feeding with a dilute succulent feed as growth picks up. how ›
- JuneGive the brightest spot available, ideally a hanging position where the trailing strands can hang freely.
- NovemberCut watering right back for winter. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilResume light feeding with a dilute succulent feed as growth picks up. how ›
- JuneGive the brightest spot available, ideally a hanging position where the trailing strands can hang freely.
- NovemberCut watering right back for winter. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Individual leaf beads look flat or wrinkled rather than plump and round.
What to do. Usually underwatering — water thoroughly once, then return to the normal dry-out-between-waterings routine.
How to spot it. Beads turning translucent or mushy and dropping off the strand.
What to do. Almost always overwatering or poor drainage — let the compost dry out completely between waterings and check the pot has good drainage.
How to spot it. Strands with leaves only near the growing tip, bare further back.
What to do. Usually insufficient light — move to a brighter spot; trim back bare strands to encourage bushier regrowth from the base.
Questions
String of pearls: is it hardy?
H2: Tender. It survives down to 1 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Almost always grown in a hanging pot or on a high shelf, specifically to show off the trailing strands.
String of pearls: when do you prune it?
Trim back straggly or bare strands to just above a leaf to encourage fresh new growth from the base; trimmed pieces root easily if wanted for propagation.
String of pearls: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in September–October.
When do you feed it?
One or two weak cactus feeds over the summer. A string-of-pearls that is fed and watered like a normal houseplant produces long bare strands and shrivelled beads — the opposite of what you want. Feeding months, UK: May, July.