Senecio rowleyanus - String of Pearls [large]

Highlights

String of Pearls (now Curio rowleyanus) (Jacobsen & Heath): An all-time favorite for the way its bead-like leaves can cascade several feet on slender, trailing stems. It is a popular succulent for hanging pots and can make any space feel like a jungle oasis. String of Pearls also makes a great addition to arrangements by providing the crucial "spiller" component. Bright, indirect sun is ideal. Tends to need more frequent water than most succulents, due to its slender stems. For a bountiful effect, prune long strands and place back in the pot to re-root. This plant is fully rooted in a 3.5" pot.

This is a naturally-occurring species from South Africa. In the wild, it grows as ground cover in the shade of rocky outcroppings. It is a member of the Aster family and produces white, pompom flowers that smell of cloves. The unique leaf shape maximizes water storing volume while minimizing exposed leaf area. Having less surface area reduces water loss to evapotranspiration but it also reduces the leaf area that can absorb sunlight. To counteract this, each leaf has a translucent sliver or "window" through which sunlight enters.

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 bright sunlight, great 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.

This variety is easy to re-root from stem cuttings. Look to our Succulent Cuttings Guide for tips on succulent propagation.

Full Senecio Guide

Product Size

3.5" Pot

Current Primary Color

Green

Bloom Color

White Bloom

Grow Zone (Hardiness)

Zone 10 (30F)

Recommended Light Conditions

Bright Indoor Light, Filtered / Partial Sun

Maximum Height

Over 12"

Growth Habit / Shape

Hanging / Trailing

Seasonality

Summer Dormant Partial

Special Characteristic

Easy to Propagate, Showy Blooms

THIS PLANT IS HARDY IN ZONES 10+

10

WHAT IS MY HARDINESS ZONE?

Zip Code

GO

0

Videos

Questions & Answers

none

Continue Chat with an Expert 115 characters remaining

Email Address

I agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Submit

Popular Questions

---

3 years ago

can you supply a pic of the actual plant that I would be getting? See answer

See more »

Follow

3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

We cannot know which specific plant you'll get, but the first photo on the product page is representative of the maturity of this large String of Pearls in a 3.5" diameter pot. The pots have a full coverage of pearls on top and a couple inches of strings trailing out of the pot. See full answer »

0 | 0

See more answers

3 years ago

How much water should you give the string of pearls See answer

See more »

Follow

3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

That depends on many factors like your soil, how the plant look and the humidity. Generally, wait until the leaves look a little deflated before giving it water. When you water it, be sure to drench the soil rather than misting it. Misting tends to encourage rot. When you water, extra water should flow out of the drainage holes of the pot. See full answer »

1 | 0

See more answers

3 years ago

Are any of these Senecio plants safe for pets? See answer

I’m trying to find a trailing succulent for my home, and wondered if this plant is pet safe? I have dogs and cats. See more »

Follow

3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Some research shows that Senecio rowleyanus can cause digestive issues if consumed, so to be on the safe side, we do not consider any Senecio pet-safe. But we carry tons of Pet Safe Succulents here. You can also use the Growth Habit filter on the left to filter for just Hanging/Trailing plants.
Source: https://mountaincrestgardens.com/pet-... See full answer »

0 | 0

See more answers

3 years ago

CAN YOU PLANT STRING OF BANANA AND STRING OF PEARLS TOGETHER See answer

See more »

Follow

6 months ago  •  Staff Answer

Yes you can! Strings of Things Succulents have the same sun, water, and drainage needs, so they're very compatible together in a pot. They work well planted in a hanging pot with succulent potting soil, hanging in a sunny window. Water deeply enough for water to run out the pot's drainage hole, but only water after the soil is completely dry and the leaves are starting to look a little deflated. See full answer »

1 | 0

See more answers

3 years ago

How do you propagate String of pearls? See answer

See more »

Follow

3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) can be propagated and re-rooted from stem cuttings without much difficulty. Stem cuttings should be placed on well-draining soil in a sunny spot and kept watered but not soggy. You can watch a quick video guide on Propagating Senecio String of Pearls here.
Source: https://youtu.be/bx8voyWV_3w?t=605 See full answer »

0 | 0

See more answers

2 years ago

is it safe to mist string of pearls with 70% isopropyl alcohol? See answer

Why is it necessary to mist succulents with isopropol alcohol? See more »

Follow

2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Yes, 70% isopropyl alcohol is useful for killing insect pests that attack succulents, especially soft bodied insect pests like mealybugs, aphids, and thrips.

It is safe to mist succulents with 70% isopropyl alcohol, but, be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight for an hour after misting. The alcohol increases the risk of sunburn until it evaporates. Applying it in the evening is also a great strategy. See full answer »

0 | 0

See more answers

9 months ago

How big a pot size do you recommend for a "string of pearls" plant? See answer

See more »

Follow

7 months ago  •  Staff Answer

For one of these 2" String of Pearls plants, we recommend starting with a pot that's about 3.5"-5" in diameter and depth. Additionally, be sure to use a pot with a drainage hole. See full answer »

1 | 0

See more answers

1 year ago

Do you need to repot the String of Pearls when it is received? See answer

See more »

Follow

7 months ago  •  Staff Answer

Yes, it is a good practice for plant hygiene to re-pot any plant you buy into a fresh pot and soil. We recommend transplanting them within about a month of receiving your new succulents. Pick a container with a drainage hole and use a gritty, well-draining succulent soil. Hang your String of Pearls in a sunny window and only water after the soil is completely dry and the leaves look a little deflated. For more information, check out the Video Guide to Transplanting Succulents.
Source: https://youtu.be/GM63i2bFs80 See full answer »

0 | 0

See more answers

2 years ago

Can you grow String of Pearls indoors, and do they require much sunlight? See answer

See more »

Follow

7 months ago  •  Staff Answer

Yes, Senecio rowleyanus String of Pearls can grow very well indoors. Depending on the sun exposure of your windows, try hanging it in a south- or east-facing window. If you're lacking sunlight and the plants looks pale or stretched, you can also supplement with a Succulent Grow Light.
Source: https://mountaincrestgardens.com/blog... See full answer »

1 | 0

See more answers

8 months ago

What’s the ideal soil mix to repot a string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)? See answer

See more »

Follow

8 months ago  •  Staff Answer

Senecio String of Pearls thrives in a well-draining soil, but it prefers a little more organic matter than many other succulents because it has such thin stems. Try a 1:2 ratio of perlite or pumice to a standard bagged succulent and cactus soil mix (available at garden centers). See full answer »

0 | 0

See more answers

View all

---