momiroot

String of pearls

Curio rowleyanus · Family Asteraceae

Also known as: string of beads, senecio rowleyanus, curio

String of pearls
Photo: Flickr user Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Light
Bright indirect to full sun
Watering
Every 12 days
Difficulty
Moderate
Pet-safe
No, keep it away from cats and dogs

Care

Where to put it

A hanging pot by a bright window.

Light

Bright light with some gentle direct sun.

Watering

Water when the compost is dry. Wrinkled pearls mean it's thirsty.

About the plant

String of pearls has slender stems with round, bead-like leaves, perfect for hanging pots. It is a succulent that stores water in its pearls. The stems can grow beyond 60 cm.

Origin

Native to south-west Africa, in dry regions of South Africa and Namibia.

What it likes

  • Lots of light, with gentle sun
  • Infrequent watering
  • A shallow, free-draining pot

What it dislikes

  • Soggy compost
  • Low light
  • Pets nearby

Did you know?

Each pearl has a translucent band that acts as a window, letting light in for photosynthesis.

Listed in

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