String of Pearls
Curio rowleyanus · also called String of beads, Senecio rowleyanus
Strands of tiny green beads for a bright hanging spot
- Light
- Bright indirect, Full sun: Very bright light, a little gentle morning sun helps
- Water
- Every 2-3 weeks, when the soil is dry most of the way down
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Pet safety
- Toxic to cats and dogs
- Size
- Small
- Height
- Strands trail 2-3 ft
- Growth
- Moderate
- Humidity
- Dry air is fine
- Temperature
- 60-80°F
- Good rooms
- Kitchen, Living room
Every bead on this plant is a leaf. Each little green sphere stores water, and they grow along thin stems that spill over the side of a pot like strands of a necklace. Hang it in a bright window and the strands can trail 2 to 3 feet. In spring it may grow small white flowers that smell a bit like cinnamon. It is one of the most photographed plants around, and it does look that good when it is happy.
It suits a patient grower with a bright spot and a light hand with the watering can. Since the beads hold water, the soil should dry out between drinks. Most homes land on every two weeks or so in summer and less in winter. It also likes a pot that is shallow and wide, which lets the strands root back into the soil as they grow.
This is a Hard plant, and here is why. The roots are thin and rot fast in wet soil. The base can turn to mush while the strands still look fine, so by the time you notice, much of the plant may be gone. Too little light makes it thin and patchy on top. And it is toxic to pets. The ASPCA lists it as toxic, and chewing can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Hang it well out of reach.
String of Pearls care
Light
Give it very bright light, close to an east or west window. A few hours of soft morning sun helps it stay full. Hot afternoon sun through glass can scorch the beads. In dim light the top thins out and the strands get bare, so this is not a plant for a shady room.
Watering
Water when the soil is dry most of the way down. The beads tell you a lot. Round, firm beads mean it is fine. Slightly wrinkled or pointed beads mean it is thirsty. Mushy or see-through beads mean too much water. Water less in winter, maybe once a month.
Soil and pot
Use a gritty cactus and succulent mix. Adding extra perlite or pumice helps even more. A shallow clay or terracotta pot with a drainage hole is best, since it dries fast. Never plant it in a pot without a hole.
Humidity and temperature
Average or dry home air suits it well. It does not need misting, and damp air plus wet soil can lead to rot. Good airflow helps. A cooler, drier winter, around 55 to 60°F at night, is fine and may help it flower.
Feeding
String of pearls is a small plant with tiny roots, so overfeeding is easy. A cactus fertilizer diluted by half, every four to six weeks during spring and early summer, covers it. Some growers stop in midsummer, when the plant tends to slow down in the heat. Strands that go long and stretched, with beads spaced far apart, usually mean too much food or too little light. Skip winter entirely.
Repotting
It likes a snug, shallow pot and only needs repotting every two years or so. Handle it as little as you can, since strands snap easily. Spring is best. Wait a few days before watering after you repot. Lift the strands over the rim gently so they do not break off.
Propagation
Snip a few strands about 4 inches long. Lay them on top of dry cactus mix, pressing a few beads lightly into the soil, or coil the cut ends in. Mist the surface lightly every few days. Roots grow from where the strand touches soil in a few weeks.
Common problems
Why are the beads mushy or see-through?
That is too much water, and rot may have started at the base. Stop watering, check the roots, and take healthy cuttings to start over if the base is soft.
Why are the beads shriveled?
It needs water. Give it a good drink and the beads should plump up in a day or two.
Why is the top of the pot bare?
Low light and old strands dying back cause this. Move it brighter and lay cut strands on the soil surface to fill in. Trim any dead strands so light reaches the soil.
Why did my strands die suddenly?
Sudden collapse usually means the roots rotted in wet soil. Use grittier mix and let it dry out more next time.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Curio now?
The name was updated a few years ago, from Senecio to Curio. Stores still use both labels for the same plant.
Can I grow it in a bathroom?
Usually not. Most bathrooms are too dim, and the damp air raises the risk of rot. A bright kitchen window is a safer bet.
What kind of pot suits string of pearls?
Any pot with a drainage hole works. A shallow terracotta pot dries faster than plastic, which suits the shallow roots. Hanging it lets the strands fall freely instead of piling up on a shelf.
Not sure this plant fits your home?
Take a plant quizSources: plants.ces.ncsu.edu, www.aspca.org
