Peperomia prostrata - String of Turtles

Highlights

String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata) (Williams): Rare and utterly charming trailing succulent. This adorable plant grows long, cascading stems covered with coin-like leaves that resemble turtle backs. The lime green leaves have a somewhat marbled pattern and are slightly succulent. This South American species makes a fantastic house plant, particularly in a hanging pot near a sunny window. It has similar care needs as the popular String of Pearls. It is a slow grower, but mature plants can grow stems around 12.0" long.

Please Note: Leaves can fall off easily with handling, but will eventually re-sprout.

Soft succulents will not survive a hard frost, but if there is a risk of freezing temperatures they can be brought indoors to grow on a sunny window sill or under a grow light. They need ample sunlight, good drainage, and infrequent water to prevent rot. Pick containers with drainage holes and use well-draining cactus and succulent soil with 50% to 70% mineral grit such as coarse sand, pumice, or perlite. Water deeply enough for water to run out the drainage hole, then wait for the soil to fully dry before watering again.

Product Size

2.0" Pot

Current Primary Color

Green

Bloom Color

Green Bloom

Grow Zone (Hardiness)

Zone 10 (30F)

Recommended Light Conditions

Bright Indoor Light, Filtered / Partial Sun

Maximum Height

9"-12"

Growth Habit / Shape

Hanging / Trailing

Special Characteristic

Pet Safe, Slow Grower

THIS PLANT IS HARDY IN ZONES 10+

10

WHAT IS MY HARDINESS ZONE?

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Popular Questions

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2 years ago

How big is the pot when it arrives See answer

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

This plant ships rooted in a 2" pot.

If you scroll down on any of our plant listings, you'll find a section called "PRODUCT DETAILS". There, you'll find a list beginning with the item "COLOR - PRIMARY". Near the bottom of this list is an item called "PRODUCT FORMAT". That will tell you what size pot the plant ships in or what size plug if that's relevant.
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2 years ago

what is the plant that is like string of Turtles but it is not string of turtles See answer

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Cultivars of Ceropegia woodii are similar to string of turtles. If that's not what you're looking for, you may find it in our hanging/trailing page which you can find at the link below.
Source: https://mountaincrestgardens.com/hang... See full answer »

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2 years ago

dose it flower See answer

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

String of Turtles can flower with proper care! They're fairly nondescript green "rat tails", but you can see them in the fourth picture here. See full answer »

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1 year ago

I have a “head planter” like the one that Laura used on Garden Answer. I want to copy what she did with the string See answer

Of pearls or turtles or whatever will create that “hair” look. What would work best? See more »

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1 year ago  •  Staff Answer

Any of the "string" succulents will work very well for those head planters. Which one you decide to use will be a matter of personal preference. You can find all of the string succulents by clicking the link below. Be sure to check this page often as new strings come into stock.
Source: https://mountaincrestgardens.com/stri... See full answer »

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3 years ago

My string of turtles leaves are lime green with minimal pattern instead of darker green with the "turtle" pattern. See answer

I love the string of turtles that I received from you, it's perfect! However, the leaves are a lime green with very little "veining" rather than the darker green leaf with lighter green pattern that gives them the turtle shell appearance that's so popular. Are there different types of string of turtles? Is the lime green leaf something I can change with more sunlight, less sunlight, a different watering schedule? See more »

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

The first two places my mind goes when I hear about succulents who's leaves have lightened in color are root rot and light issues. Fortunately though, I doubt root rot is the issue because the plant seems to be growing well! If its leaves start turning yellow and it starts losing leaves easily get back to me ASAP!

It could be an issue of needing more light. Lots of succulents darken their colors in response to increased light and, although string of turtles needs little light, an extra hour or two of light may help it get those classic string of turtles colors.

String of turtles actually likes a little bit more fertilizer than most succulents do and it could be fading due to a lack of nutrients. You'll want to use a lower nitrogen fertilizer (somewhere around a 5-10-10 NPK ratio) at a fairly low concentration. Just be safe, so as to not burn the leaves, only fertilize in the spring and summer months. See full answer »

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2 years ago

How do you grow the leaves in sphagnum miss or dirt See answer

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

This plant can be propagated from stem cuttings by placing segments on soil near a sunny window. Keep the soil damp but not soggy so that it can establish roots. You'll find more details in the guide linked below.
Source: https://mountaincrestgardens.com/blog... See full answer »

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4 years ago

What kind of soil should I use with succulents? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Shop Succulent Soil Here

Succulents need grittier soil than other plants because they are adapted to dry conditions and store water in their leaves. Regular potting soil mixes stay damp for long periods of time, which can cause rot in succulents. Instead, use a sandy, well-draining soil so you can water thoroughly without leaving your succulent in standing water.

IN POTS…

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4 years ago

When should I plant my succulents after they arrive? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Our plants can be transplanted immediately upon arrival.
If you want to wait to transplant, they can remain in their original containers for up to a month. If the pots came in a plastic carrier tray, remove the pots from the carrier tray prior to the first watering.

Keep the plants indoors near a sunny window or outdoors under a roof (only if outdoor temperatures stay above your succulent's minimum hardiness temperature). Water only after the soil is fully dry by drenching from above with a faucet, hose, or watering can. Gently shake excess water from the leaves and allow containers to drain completely.

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4 years ago

Do I need to fertilize succulents? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Fertilizing is not necessary, but it is a good option for succulent growers who want to encourage faster, larger growth. It can be used on mature plants with established roots. Only fertilize in the growing season (spring and summer for most varieties) to avoid weakening or burning dormant plants. Use a light touch and make 2-3 applications of low-Nitrogen, diluted fertilizer each year (N-P-K ratio around 5-10-10). You can find specially-formulated cactus / succulent fertilizers in most garden centers or go organic with compost tea or bone meal.

Example: Miracle-Gro Quick Start, diluted to half strength

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4 years ago

How to water succulents? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Succulents need deep, infrequent watering, especially during their growing season and when they are young and establishing roots. Only water after the soil is completely dry and the plant feels less firm. Err on the side of underwatering. Watering too frequently is the most common way to kill succulents.

HOW TO WATER SUCCULENTS

• Drench from above using a faucet, hose, or watering can
• Do not mist with a spray bottle (the only exception is for Air Plants)
• Water until it drains from the container's drainage hole. If your container does not have a drainage hole (not recommended), use about 1/3 the volume of the container…

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