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Plant guideString of pearls care: the complete guide
Guidance verified against current care guides (Gardenia, Healthy Houseplants, Leafy Life, Plnts), Wikipedia for the Curio rename and the ASPCA for toxicity on 3 October 2026. Figures were taken from search summaries of those pages, dated the same day. Sources linked below.
A string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus, now classed as Curio rowleyanus) needs bright light, water only once the soil is completely dry, and temperatures of 60 to 80°F (15 to 27°C). It is a trailing succulent whose bead-like leaves store water, and the ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats, dogs and horses.
| Attribute | What a string of pearls needs |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright light, including a few hours of gentle direct sun; scorches in harsh afternoon sun |
| Water | Every 2 to 3 weeks in spring and summer, only when the soil is fully dry; less in autumn and winter |
| Temperature | 60 to 80°F (15 to 27°C); not frost-hardy, keep above 50°F (10°C) |
| Humidity | Average to dry household air |
| Soil / pot | Cactus or succulent mix with extra grit; shallow pot with drainage holes |
| Fertiliser | Half-strength succulent fertiliser once or twice in the growing season |
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA) |
Is string of pearls a Senecio or a Curio?
String of pearls is the same plant whether it is labelled Senecio rowleyanus or Curio rowleyanus. Botanists moved it from the genus Senecio to Curio, but most nurseries, plant tags and the ASPCA still use Senecio rowleyanus, so both names are searched and both appear here. It is not related to the hoya or to a jade plant, though its water-storing leaves behave like a succulent's. It is also easily confused with the string of hearts, a different plant that the ASPCA does not list.
How much light does a string of pearls need?
A string of pearls needs bright light, and weak light makes the strands thin and the pearls sparse. A spot near an east, south or west window suits it, and it tolerates a few hours of gentle direct sun. Harsh midday or afternoon sun through glass scorches the pearls. The light guide explains how to judge a spot.
How often should you water a string of pearls?
Water a string of pearls about every 2 to 3 weeks in spring and summer, and only once the soil is completely dry. The pearls store water, so the plant survives drought better than wet soil. Water less often in autumn and winter. Overwatering causes root rot, the main killer of this plant. The watering guide covers the finger test.
What soil and pot does a string of pearls need?
Use a cactus or succulent mix with added grit in a shallow pot with drainage holes. The roots are fine and shallow, so a wide, shallow pot suits it better than a deep one. Fast drainage matters more than any other soil trait. Feed at half strength once or twice in the growing season at most. The soil and pot guide and repotting guide cover mixes and timing.
What temperature does a string of pearls need?
A string of pearls grows well at 60 to 80°F (15 to 27°C) and is not frost-hardy. Keep it above about 50°F (10°C) and away from cold drafts. It tolerates the dry air of a heated home. See the temperature guide for other plants.
Why are my string of pearls shrivelling or flat?
Shrivelled or flat pearls mean the plant is short of water or its roots have failed. Check the soil first.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Shrivelled, wrinkled pearls, soil dry for weeks | Underwatering | Soak the pot and let it drain |
| Soft, translucent or mushy pearls, soil wet | Root rot from overwatering | Unpot, trim dead roots, repot in dry gritty mix and take cuttings of healthy strands |
| Flat, pale pearls with open "windows" | Too much light intensity or too little water | Check watering and move back from harsh sun |
| Long gaps between pearls, thin strands | Too little light | Move to brighter light |
| Bare stems at the pot rim | Old growth dying back | Trim and propagate the healthy tips |
The overwatering vs underwatering guide covers the general diagnosis.
How often should you repot a string of pearls?
Repot a string of pearls when growth slows or roots show at the drainage holes, usually every 1 to 2 years, in spring or summer. Sources disagree: one guide advises yearly repotting to stop the mix compacting, another says the shallow roots rarely need it. Go up only one pot size and keep the pot shallow. Handle the strands gently because the stems snap easily. The repotting guide covers the steps.
Does a string of pearls need fertiliser?
A string of pearls needs little fertiliser: a half-strength feed about monthly in the growing season is the upper limit. Published schedules range from every two weeks to almost never, and the most frequent schedule is likely too much for a succulent. Skip feeding in winter, because it promotes weak, spindly growth. See the fertilising guide.
What pests attack a string of pearls?
Mealybugs are the pest most often reported on a string of pearls, and dabbing them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol removes them. Check the stem joints and the soil surface regularly and treat early, before they spread along the strands.
| Sign | Likely pest | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| White cottony clusters at stem joints | Mealybugs | Dab with alcohol on a swab, repeat weekly |
| Fine webbing, speckled pearls | Spider mites | Rinse the plant, then follow the spider mite guide |
How do you propagate a string of pearls?
Take 3 to 4 inch stem cuttings in spring or summer, let the cut ends callus for a day, and lay or pin them on dry succulent mix. Water lightly once roots form, usually in 2 to 4 weeks. Cuttings of stems are easier than single pearls, and dividing the plant is hard because the roots and pearls are fragile. The propagation guide compares methods across plants.
Is string of pearls toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Eating it can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling and lethargy, and the sap can irritate skin. The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Hang it out of reach and contact a vet if a pet has eaten any. See the pet-safe plants list for safe alternatives such as the hoya.
FAQ
- How often should you water a string of pearls?
- Water a string of pearls every 2 to 3 weeks in spring and summer, only once the soil is completely dry, and less often in autumn and winter. The pearls store water, so underwatering is safer than overwatering.
- Why are my string of pearls shrivelling?
- Shrivelled, flat pearls mean the plant is short of water or its roots have failed. If the soil is dry for weeks, soak the pot and let it drain. If the soil is wet and the pearls are soft, the roots are rotting and need repotting in dry gritty mix.
- Is string of pearls toxic to cats and dogs?
- Yes. The ASPCA lists string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Eating it can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy, and the sap can irritate skin. Hang it where pets cannot reach it.
- Is string of pearls a Senecio or a Curio?
- Both names refer to the same plant. Botanists moved it from Senecio rowleyanus to Curio rowleyanus, but most nurseries, the ASPCA and care guides still use Senecio.
- How do you propagate a string of pearls?
- Take 3 to 4 inch stem cuttings in spring or summer, let the cut ends callus for a day, lay or pin them on dry succulent mix and water lightly once roots form, in 2 to 4 weeks.
- How often should you repot a string of pearls?
- Repot a string of pearls every 1 to 2 years, or when growth slows or roots show at the drainage holes, in spring or summer. Go up one pot size only; sources disagree between yearly repotting and rarely.
- Does a string of pearls need fertiliser?
- Only a little. Feed at half strength about monthly in the growing season at most, and skip winter. Published schedules vary from every two weeks to almost never.
- How do you get rid of mealybugs on a string of pearls?
- Dab each mealybug with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol and repeat weekly, checking the stem joints and soil surface.
Related guides
Sources
- Gardenia, String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
- Healthy Houseplants, String of Pearls Care Guide
- Leafy Life, String of Pearls Care
- Love the Garden, How to grow and care for String of Pearls
- Epic Gardening, How to Plant, Grow, and Care for String of Pearls
- Wikipedia, Curio rowleyanus
- ASPCA, Toxic and Non-toxic Plants