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

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Popular Questions

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3 years ago

Is this toxic to cats or dogs? See answer

Is the Tokyo Sun toxic to pets? See more »

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

I'm happy to report that Sedum japonicum 'Tokyo Sun', and indeed all Sedum species, are non-toxic and safe for pets. To see our other pet safe plants, click the link below!
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3 years ago

Could you please let me know when this plant is available? See answer

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

If you go to that plant's store listing, the button that normally says "add to cart" will have switched to "email me when product is back in stock". If you click on that, you can set up our system to send you an automatic email as soon as that plant comes back in stock. See full answer »

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3 years ago

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how wide does it grow See more »

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

This plant spreads to around 8 inches when grown outdoors with adequate light and water. See full answer »

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1 year ago

I'vebeen wanting to order these for more than 3 months. why are they never available? See answer

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1 year ago  •  Staff Answer

We're so sorry to hear that! This is a popular product and has come in and out of stock over the last three months. If you click the blue button that says Email Me When Product is Back in Stock you'll be notified as soon as they're available again and you can snag one before they sell out again. See full answer »

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3 years ago

Should I water more or less in zone 12 See answer

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

That depends more on your humidity. If it's very dry where you live, the exceptional heat will be brutal on less drought tolerant succulents but, if the humidity is high, your issue will be rot and overwatering rather than being too dry. See full answer »

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2 years ago

what is the lowest cold temp outdoors for this one? See answer

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

This one is okay, temperature wise, until things get around 10°F. That is, assuming that it's kept dry when things get below freezing. See full answer »

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3 years ago

I live in AZ and had it outside in partial sun. Can this plant tolerate extreme heat? See answer

My Tokyo Sun is not doing well at all. Most of it has died. I had it outside and it was getting partial sun throughout the day. However, I think the extreme heat might have shocked it? How can I tell if it got too much sun or too much water? Most of the plant has died and withered. Only a few stalks are left. See more »

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

I'm sorry to hear that! Tokyo Sun is one of the more sensitive stonecrops. It does not like extreme weather. To get it to grow in Arizona, you would likely need to water it regularly and really protect it from the combination of direct sun, drought, and high heat. If it's looking dry, crispy, and withered, I would try to water the remaining plant more frequently. If, however, it looks more brown, mushy, and withered, then you do have a case of overwatering, and you should leave it to dry and recover.

I hope this all helps and I hope your plant recovers!
Source: https://mountaincrestgardens.com/faqs... See full answer »

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2 years ago

I live in HI, killed 4 of these! Kept in shade, infreq. water, good for weeks, then gradually dies. Indoors better? See answer

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

The shade may be the issue here. These plants prefer a lot of light, especially in high humidity conditions.

If you have a very bright window, indoors may be suitable. Otherwise, you can use a grow light. See full answer »

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2 years ago

it looks green in some pictures and yellow in others. is it yellow or not? See answer

color verification See more »

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

That depends on many factors like the time of year, the amount of water it's getting, the temperature, and many more. We try to capture the breadth of color variability in our pictures. See full answer »

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3 years ago

I need a hardy ground cover that will take snow and cold yet continue to prosper in hot summer, recommendations? See answer

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7 months ago  •  Staff Answer

You're going to want the succulent types in this Frost Hardy Ground Cover category. All these types of Sedum, Delosperma, Rosularia, and more are super easy spreaders that thrive with cold winters and hot, dry summers. Use the "Grow Zone (Hardiness)" filter on the left of that category page to see only types that are hardy in your climate. To check what grow zone you're in, enter your zip code into this USDA Hardiness Tool.

You can also browse all of our Bulk Trays of Frost Hardy Succulents here. Sedum Trays tend to be available in the spring. See full answer »

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