Evelyn Park – Green Thumb Daily

I've been growing succulents for years, but nothing captures attention quite like the string of pearls plant. This trailing succulent looks exactly like its name suggests—tiny green beads strung together on delicate stems that cascade beautifully from hanging baskets. The string of pearls plant thrives with minimal care, needing only bright indirect light and water every 7-14 days when the soil feels dry. What makes this plant so special is how it grows naturally in the wild. In its native African desert home, it forms ground cover rather than hanging trails. The pearl-like foliage trails on stems up to 3 feet long, making it perfect for shelves, hanging planters, or even as a living curtain. If you're lucky, you might see small white flowers that smell like cinnamon in the spring. Key Takeaways String of pearls plants need bright light and should only be watered when soil is dry. These trailing succulents are easy to grow from stem cuttings and make new plants quickly. The plant is toxic to people and pets so keep it away from children and animals. What Is the String of Pearls Plant? The string of pearls is a trailing succulent with round, bead-like leaves that cascade down like a green necklace. It looks like nothing else you'll find in nature. Botanical Background and Naming The string of pearls plant has quite a story when it comes to its name. Scientists originally called it Senecio rowleyanus, but now they officially know it as Curio rowleyanus. This plant belongs to the daisy family called Asteraceae. You might think that's weird since it doesn't look like a daisy at all! The plant got its name from a British plant expert named Gordon Douglas Rowley. He studied cacti and succulents his whole career. Most people still call it by its old scientific name, Senecio rowleyanus. You'll see both names used in stores and online. The common name "string of pearls" comes from how the leaves look. Each leaf is round like a small green pearl on a string. Origins and Natural Habitat String of pearls comes from South Africa. It grows wild in the Cape Provinces where the climate is dry and harsh. In nature, the stems trail along the ground instead of hanging down. They root wherever they touch the soil and create thick mats. The plant is smart about staying cool. It often grows in the shade of rocks and other plants to avoid the hot African sun. This natural behavior explains why string of pearls doesn't like too much direct sunlight. It prefers bright but indirect light indoors. Distinctive Physical Features The most obvious thing about string of pearls is its bead-like leaves that look like peas. Each leaf is about 6 mm wide, which is roughly the size of a small pea. A cool feature is the little "window" on each pearl. This clear band lets light into the leaf so it can make food through photosynthesis. The trailing stems can grow 2 to 3 feet long, making it perfect for hanging baskets. Each pearl has a tiny point at the end. When the plant blooms in summer, it makes small white flowers that smell like cinnamon. The flowers look like little pom-poms and last about a month. The round shape of the leaves helps the plant save water. Less surface area means less water loss in hot, dry places. Popular String of Pearls Varieties String of pearls comes in several exciting forms that look quite different from each other. The classic green type is most common, while variegated and giant varieties offer unique twists on this beloved trailing succulent. Classic Green Form The classic green string of pearls is what most people think of when they hear about this plant. The typical variety has green leaves and green stems with small, pea-sized spherical leaves. Each leaf has a tiny window that helps the plant photosynthesize. This window makes the leaves look almost translucent in bright light. The stems can grow really long with good care. I've seen plants with stems well over a meter in length. The plant produces small white flowers that smell like cinnamon during winter months. This variety was super popular as a houseplant in the 1970s. It became harder to find for a while but is now common again in garden centers. Variegated String of Pearls The variegated form looks stunning with its green and white patterned leaves. This variety is much prettier than the plain green type, though it grows slower. The variegated string of pearls grows much slower than the regular green variety. Light affects how much variegation you'll see. When given lots of bright indirect light, it gets more white markings on the leaves. Too little light can cause the plant to lose its variegation and turn all green. This happens because the plant needs more chlorophyll to survive in low light. The variegated type is slightly less hardy due to having less chlorophyll in its leaves. Giant and Angel Tears Types Giant string of pearls, sometimes called 'Big Peas' or 'Perla Grande', has much larger leaves than normal varieties. The smallest leaves on the giant variety are about as large as the largest leaves on regular string of pearls. Everything about this plant is bigger—the stems are thicker and even the flowers are larger. Angel Tears is a special variegated variety with pointier leaves instead of round ones. This variety has heavy variegation with green and white coloring throughout. The leaves on Angel Tears look more teardrop-shaped than spherical. Both giant and Angel Tears varieties are much harder to find than regular types. They're newer varieties that haven't spread as widely through plant collections yet. How to Grow String of Pearls Indoors Growing this trailing succulent indoors means giving it lots of bright light, well-draining soil, and careful watering. Getting these three things right makes all the difference between thriving trailing stems and a sad, dying plant. Lighting Needs for Best Growth String of pearls needs way more light than you might expect. This succulent wants 4+ hours of direct sunlight daily when grown indoors. Place it in an east or west facing window where it gets morning or afternoon sun. The light needs to hit the top of the plant, not just the trailing stems. Without enough direct light, the plant goes bald at the base. The stems get thin and weak. Key light tips: Place near a bright window Make sure sun hits the crown of the plant Avoid spots with only indirect light. Move closer to windows in winter. If the plant is hung up high, check that light still reaches the stems at the top. Sometimes it needs to be moved lower so the whole plant gets sun. Potting Mix and Containers Use a special soil mix for string of pearls since it's a succulent that hates wet roots. Regular potting soil holds too much water and causes root rot. A good mix is half succulent soil and half perlite. Some growers even use up to half perlite in their indoor mix for fast drainage. The pot needs good drainage holes. Plastic pots with multiple holes at the bottom work well. Shallow, wide pots work better than deep ones since the roots don't grow deep. Plant the crown level with the pot edge. If it sits too low, air doesn't flow well and the stems can rot where they touch the soil. Watering Preferences Watering string of pearls takes some practice. This succulent needs more water than other succulents, but still way less than regular houseplants. Water when the soil feels dry about an inch down. In summer, this is usually once a week. In winter, wait longer—maybe every three weeks. When watering, soak it completely until water runs out the bottom. Let it drain fully. No light misting or small sips of water. Watering schedule: Summer: weekly Winter: every 2-3 weeks Always water deeply. Let soil dry between waterings. Plump, round pearls mean watering is just right. Wrinkled pearls mean they're thirsty. Soft, mushy pearls mean too much water. Never let the plant sit in standing water. The trailing stems will rot quickly if the roots stay wet. Propagation Methods and Tips String of pearls plants are easy to multiply using stem cuttings. You can root these trailing stems in either water or soil, and both methods work well when you follow the right steps. Stem Cutting Propagation I always start by picking healthy trailing stems from my string of pearls plant. I cut pieces that are 4 to 6 inches long, making sure to cut just below a leaf node. The easiest method I use is laying the cuttings right on top of soil. I fill a small pot with cactus soil mix and place the cutting so the stem touches the soil surface. The round pearls should face up. I use half a paper clip to hold the stem down against the soil. This keeps the nodes in contact with the dirt so they can grow roots. For the planted method, I remove the bottom pearls from 3 inches of stem. Then I let the cut end dry for a day or two. This prevents rot when I stick it in the soil. I keep my cuttings in bright, indirect light. I mist the soil every few days to keep it slightly damp. Roots usually form in 3 to 4 weeks. Rooting in Water vs. Soil Water propagation works faster for me. I put 4-inch cuttings in a jar with room temperature water. The bare stem nodes go underwater, but I keep the pearls above the water line. I change the water when it gets cloudy. The roots grow in about 3 weeks. When they reach 1 inch long, I move them to soil. Soil propagation takes a bit longer but feels more natural. The roots grow stronger right from the start. Water Method Benefits: Faster root growth Easy to see progress Works well for beginners Soil Method Benefits: No transplant shock Stronger root system Less risk of stem rot Common Care Challenges and Solutions I've found that most String of Pearls problems come from watering issues, pest invasions, or confusion about their blooming patterns. Troubleshooting Wilting or Mushy Pearls When my String of Pearls starts looking sad, I check the pearls first. Mushy pearls usually mean I've been too generous with water. Signs of Overwatering: Soft, squishy pearls Yellow or clear beads Mushy stems Bad smell from soil I learned that String of Pearls handle being too dry much better than too wet. My Fix for Root Rot: Remove plant from pot Cut off mushy parts with clean scissors Let cuts dry for 24 hours Plant in fresh, dry soil Wait one week before watering Wrinkled pearls can mean thirst or root damage. I stick my finger in the soil to check. If it's bone dry, my plant needs water. If it's wet but pearls are still shriveled, I suspect root rot. Underwatering causes leaves to lose their plump shape. I water when the top inch of soil feels completely dry. Dealing with Pests and Diseases I don't see many pests on my Senecio rowleyanus, but a few troublemakers show up sometimes. Common Pests I Watch For: Mealybugs - white fuzzy spots Spider mites - tiny webs and yellow specks Aphids - small green or black bugs My Pest Control Method: I mix one part rubbing alcohol with one part water in a spray bottle. I spray the affected areas and wipe with a cotton swab. For bad infestations, I repeat every three days. Most diseases in succulents come from too much moisture. I make sure my pot has drain holes and never let water sit in the saucer. Root Rot Signs: Black, mushy roots Stems falling off easily Strong rotting smell I've learned that good air flow around my plant helps prevent fungal problems. I don't crowd my String of Pearls next to other plants. Flowering Habits and What to Expect My String of Pearls surprised me the first time it bloomed. The tiny white flowers smell like cinnamon! When Blooming Happens: Usually in fall or winter Needs bright light and mature growth Flowers are small and white with purple stamens Sweet, spicy scent What I Do During Blooming: I keep watering the same but avoid getting water on the flowers. The blooms last about two weeks if I'm lucky. The flowers dry up and sometimes make seeds. I can collect these seeds, but growing new plants from cuttings is much easier. My plant needs to be mature (at least two years old) and get bright indirect light. Too much fertilizer can also stop flowering. I only feed my String of Pearls once in spring with diluted succulent fertilizer. Some String of Pearls never bloom indoors, and that's totally normal. Decorative Uses and Styling Ideas String of pearls plants make amazing living decorations with their cascading pearl-like leaves. I've found these trailing beauties work perfectly in hanging displays, mixed succulent gardens, and creative DIY projects. Best Home Display Methods I love putting my string of pearls on high shelves where the stems can cascade down freely. Hanging them by windows creates a stunning living curtain effect. My favorite display spots: Kitchen shelves above the sink Living room bookshelves Bathroom windowsills Bedroom dressers Hanging baskets work great too. I use macrame hangers for a boho look or modern geometric planters for clean lines. Glass containers add elegance to any room. I've used old mason jars, vintage bottles, and clear vases. The pearls look amazing against clear glass. For tables, I keep smaller plants in decorative pots as centerpieces. Terra cotta pots with patterns or painted designs make the green pearls pop. Combining with Other Succulents I mix my string of pearls with other trailing succulents for amazing displays. String of bananas and string of hearts pair perfectly together. Best succulent combinations: Jade plants (different textures) Echeveria (rosette shapes) Burro's tail (similar trailing habit) Haworthia (spiky contrast) I arrange taller succulents in the back and let the trailing ones spill over the front. Different leaf shapes create visual interest. Color mixing works well too. I combine blue-green pearls with purple succulents or silver ones. The pearls add softness to spiky plants. Creative Projects with Trailing Stems I've made living chandeliers by hanging multiple string of pearls at different heights. The cascading stems create a waterfall effect that looks amazing. Fun DIY projects I've tried: Heart-shaped wire trellises Living picture frames Succulent wreaths Table runners with trailing stems For parties, I drape the long stems along tables or mantels. They look like natural garland but stay fresh for weeks. I've also created green curtains by hanging several plants in a row. This works great for privacy screens on porches. The stems root easily in water, so I propagate new plants in clear vases as temporary decorations. Once rooted, I can plant them or give them as gifts. Safety and Toxicity Information String of pearls contains toxic compounds that can harm people and pets if eaten. The plant's sap is the most dangerous part and can cause skin problems too. Is String of Pearls Poisonous? Yes, string of pearls is toxic to humans if you eat it. I always tell people to be careful with this plant. The whole plant has poison in it, but the sap is the worst part. All parts of the plant contain toxic compounds, so don't touch the broken stems. If someone eats the plant, they might get sick to their stomach. Eating part of the plant can cause moderate gastrointestinal problems like throwing up. The plant can also hurt your skin. Handling these plants can cause skin irritation, so I wear gloves when I work with mine. Even though it's pretty, Senecio rowleyanus is not safe to eat or touch without care. Keeping Pets and Kids Safe I keep my string of pearls up high where kids and pets can't reach it. String of pearls are toxic to cats, dogs, humans, and small pets like rabbits. Safety tips I use: Put plants in hanging baskets Keep them on tall shelves Watch kids and pets around the plant Wash hands after touching If a pet eats the plant, cats might drool, throw up, or act tired. Dogs can get stomach problems too. I tell parents to teach kids never to eat houseplants. The small round leaves might look like candy to little ones. If someone eats the plant, call a doctor or vet right away. Don't wait to see what happens. Frequently Asked Questions String of Pearls plants spark lots of questions from plant lovers. Most people want to know about daily care, fixing problems, and whether these trailing succulents work for beginners. How do I take care of a String of Pearls plant so it thrives indoors? I give my String of Pearls at least 4 hours of direct sunlight each day. They need way more light than most guides tell you. I water mine about once a week in summer and every 3 weeks in winter. The soil should feel dry before I water again. I use succulent soil that drains fast. Regular potting soil stays too wet and causes root rot. My plants sit in shallow, wide pots with drainage holes. The crown should be level with the pot edge, not down inside it. I keep my String of Pearls in warm spots above 70 degrees. They don't like cold drafts or air conditioning blowing on them. I feed them with diluted indoor plant fertilizer every other week during growing season. Light feeders still need nutrients to grow those plump pearls. Can you walk me through propagating a String of Pearls plant, step by step? I cut healthy vines that are at least 4 inches long. I make sure each cutting has plenty of stem. I let the cut ends dry for a day or two. This prevents rot when I plant them. I lay the cuttings on top of moist succulent soil. I don't bury them deep - just press them lightly into the soil. I keep the soil slightly damp but not soaking wet. Roots usually show up in 2-3 weeks. I can also root cuttings in water first. I put the stem ends in a glass of water and wait for roots to grow. Once I see good roots, I plant them in succulent soil. New growth starts in about a month. I've noticed some problems with my String of Pearls plant. What are some common issues it might have? Wrinkled, dry pearls mean I'm not watering enough. The pearls change from round to oval when they're thirsty. Soft, mushy pearls usually mean too much water. This leads to root rot pretty fast. Stunted growth happens when plants don't get enough light. I move mine to a brighter window. Balding at the base comes from not enough light reaching the crown. I make sure sun hits the top part of the plant. Brown, crispy pearls mean sunburn from too much direct afternoon sun. I give mine morning sun instead. Small or weird-shaped pearls often mean the plant needs more food. I start feeding with diluted fertilizer. Where's the best place to snag a String of Pearls plant? I find String of Pearls at most garden centers and nurseries. They're pretty common now. Online plant shops have good selections too. I can usually find different varieties like the variegated kind. Local plant swaps and Facebook groups are great for getting cuttings. Plant people love to share. Big box stores like Home Depot sometimes carry them. I check their succulent sections. Specialty succulent nurseries have the healthiest plants. They cost more but they're worth it. I avoid buying ones that look wilted or have bare stems. Healthy plants have plump, round pearls. My String of Pearls plant's about to flower! What should I expect? The flowers look like tiny white dandelions on thin stalks. They smell amazing—like vanilla and cinnamon mixed together. Blooms can last about a month if I'm lucky. Mine usually flowers in winter or spring. I keep feeding the plant during flowering. It takes lots of energy to make those blooms. The flowers show up when my plant is really happy with its care. Good light and regular feeding help trigger blooming. I don't cut the flowers off unless they start looking dead. The plant will drop them when it's ready. Is the String of Pearls plant a good choice for someone new to houseplants? I think String of Pearls are actually pretty easy once you know the basics. The main thing is giving them enough light. New plant parents often kill them by overwatering or keeping them in dark corners. These two mistakes cause most problems. They grow quickly when happy, so beginners see results fast. This keeps people motivated. I'd say start with a small plant first. They're cheaper and easier to manage while learning. The biggest challenge is learning to read the pearls. But once you know the signs, care becomes simple.