• Login
Search Login

Search anything about Plant Lighting, Content, and More.

String of Pearls

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Senecio rowleyanus or Curio rowleyanus

KNOWN AS: String of Pearls, String of Beads

CLIMATE (LOCATION): Southwest Africa | Arid

DESCRIPTION: The String of Pearls is a unique and delicate trailing succulent. It's named for its small, round, pea-like leaves that grow on long, cascading stems. This plant is a favorite for hanging planters, where its whimsical "beads" can be beautifully displayed.

String of Pearls Plant Care

Lighting

Light Requirement: High Light (Bright Indirect Light)

The String of Pearls thrives in bright, indirect light. It can tolerate a few hours of direct morning sunlight, but it must be protected from harsh afternoon sun, which can easily burn the leaves.

Discover Our Grow Lights

SAVE 20%
Aspect™ Gen 2 LED Growlight
$160.00 $200.00

Color:

White Black
SAVE 15%
Vita™ Grow Light
$72.25 $85.00

Color:

White / Wide (60°) Black / Wide (60°)
SAVE UP TO 30%
Highland™ LED Track Light System
$195.50 - $518.00 $740.00

Color:

White / 1 light / Narrow (36 Degrees) Black / 1 light / Narrow (36 Degrees)
SAVE 20%
Grove™ LED Grow Light
$104.00 $130.00

Color:

Black White

Watering

Quick Tip: Allow soil to completely dry out before watering.

The String of Pearls is extremely sensitive to overwatering, which is the most common cause of death for this plant. Water thoroughly only when the soil is completely dry to the touch. It is better to underwater this succulent than to overwater.

Temperature

Preferred Temperature: 65º - 80º

The String of Pearls prefers warm, stable temperatures. The ideal range is between 65-80°F. It is sensitive to cold and should be kept away from temperatures below 50°F.

Humidity

Preferred Humidity: 30 - 50%; Low/Moderate Humidity

As a desert succulent, the String of Pearls prefers a low to moderate humidity environment. The average humidity of most homes is perfect for this plant, and you do not need to take any special steps to increase it.

Additional Plant Care

Propagation
The String of Pearls is very easy to propagate by stem cuttings. Take a cutting of a stem that is a few inches long and has at least 3-4 pearls on it. Place the cutting on top of moist, well-draining soil, or gently press it into the soil. The roots will grow from the leaf nodes, so ensure the nodes are touching the soil.
Toxicity
The String of Pearls is toxic to humans and pets. Ingesting any part of the plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues. It is important to keep the String of Pearls out of reach of children and pets.
Repotting
The String of Pearls is a slow grower and prefers to be a bit pot-bound. Repotting is only necessary every few years, or when the plant has completely outgrown its container. Select a new pot that is only slightly larger and has drainage holes. Be very gentle when repotting, as the stems are delicate and can easily break. Use fresh, well-draining soil.
Pruning
Pruning your String of Pearls is a great way to maintain its shape and health.Trim away any dead or leggy stems. You can also snip off stems to encourage a fuller, bushier plant. Use clean, sharp shears to make a cut. The trimmed stems can be used for propagation.
Fertilizer
String of Pearls do not require a lot of fertilizer. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength is ideal. Fertilize once a month during the spring and summer growing season. Do not fertilize during the fall and winter.
Soil
The right soil is crucial for a healthy String of Pearls. The plant requires a very well-draining soil mix to prevent root rot. A good mix is cactus or succulent potting mix amended with extra perlite or coarse sand. Always use a pot with a drainage hole to ensure excess water can escape.

Hanging Heights

String of Pearls Lighting Requirements: High Light (Bright Indirect Light)

White fuzz or dark smudges on a terracotta pot are one of the most common things plant owners search for, and the good news is that it is almost always easy to explain and even easier to fix.

Succulents need six to eight hours of bright light a day to stay healthy, according to South Dakota State University Extension, but many of the spots homeowners love to style them, bookshelves, bathroom vanities, dark entryway consoles, fall well short of that. Styling succulents well and keeping them alive both come down to matching the display spot to the plant's actual light needs, not just picking a pretty vessel. This guide covers why succulents have become such a popular decor choice, how much light they truly need, the riskiest styling spots, how to catch warning signs early, and how to keep the look without sacrificing the plant.

Houseplants absorb light through chlorophyll to fuel photosynthesis, the type of light reaching a plant matters just as much as how much of it there is. Direct light means unfiltered sun rays landing straight on a plant's leaves, while indirect light has been filtered, diffused, or bounced off another surface before it reaches the plant. This guide breaks down what actually separates the two, why the difference determines whether a plant thrives or scorches, and how to tell which one you're actually working with at home.