The Definitive Guide to the String of Pearls Plant (Curio rowleyanus)
So you want to grow a String of Pearls. Good choice. With its long, trailing stems of little green beads, this plant is a real conversation starter. This guide will tell you everything you need to know to keep it happy, from watering and light to making new plants for free.
Meet the String of Pearls
This plant looks like a living necklace, with long stems covered in perfectly round leaves. That’s why people call it String of Pearls, String of Beads, or even String of Peas. It brings a unique, sculptural look to any room.
What’s in a Name?
Its official name is Curio rowleyanus , but you’ll still see it sold as Senecio rowleyanus . It was renamed in 1999 to Curio , which means "curiosity." (A fitting name, don't you think?)
The rowleyanus part is a nod to British botanist Gordon Rowley. And here's a fun fact, it’s in the Asteraceae family, making it a distant cousin to daisies and sunflowers.
Where It's From
The String of Pearls comes from the dry, rocky parts of Southwest Africa. In the wild, it doesn't hang from a pot. It creeps along the ground, forming a dense mat.
The stems can grow up to three feet long, putting down roots wherever they touch the soil. It usually grows under the shade of bigger rocks or shrubs, which protects it from the scorching sun. This is a big clue for how to care for it at home.
The Secret of the Pearls
Those little "pearls" are actually leaves, and they're designed for survival. They’re round to hold the maximum amount of water with the minimum amount of surface area. This shape is great for storing water but bad for soaking up sun.
So, nature came up with a clever trick. Each pearl has a tiny, dark green slit on it, which is basically a little window. This "epidermal window" lets sunlight get inside the leaf, allowing the plant to make energy without losing too much water to the dry air.
How to Keep It Alive
Keeping a String of Pearls happy is all about copying its natural home. Think like a desert plant, and you'll do just fine.
Light
This plant needs a lot of bright, indirect light for at least six to eight hours a day. An east-facing window with gentle morning sun is perfect. A spot a few feet from a south or west-facing window also works well.
Make sure light hits the top of the pot, not just the trailing stems. If the top of the plant is in shadow, it'll get thin and "bald." If you see long, stretched-out gaps between the pearls, it’s begging for more light.
Too much direct sun will scorch the leaves, leaving brown, crispy spots. It’s all about finding that happy medium.
Water
More String of Pearls die from overwatering than anything else. They are succulents, so they hate sitting in wet soil, which leads to root rot. Ditch the watering schedule and learn to read the plant.
Use the "soak and dry" method. When you water, drench the soil until water runs out the bottom. Then, let it dry out completely before you even think about watering again.
How do you know when it's thirsty? The pearls will tell you. They'll start to look a little deflated or wrinkled. This is your sign to water. An overwatered plant’s pearls will turn yellow and mushy.
Pot & Soil
The right pot and soil combo is key to preventing a soggy plant. The soil needs to drain super fast. A cactus and succulent mix is a good start, but make it even better by adding perlite or pumice (aim for a 50/50 mix).
Terracotta pots are your best friend here. The clay is porous, which helps pull moisture out of the soil. Whatever pot you use, it absolutely must have a drainage hole. No exceptions.
These plants have shallow roots, so a shallow pot is much better than a deep one. A deep pot holds extra soil that stays wet, creating a perfect storm for root rot.
Temperature and Humidity
String of Pearls likes it warm, think between 70°F and 80°F (21°C and 27°C). It can handle cooler temps in the winter, down to about 50°F (10°C). This cool winter rest can actually encourage it to flower in the spring.
It is not frost-tolerant, so bring it inside if temps are going to drop. It’s used to dry air, so average household humidity is fine. And whatever you do, don't mist it, that just invites rot.
Fertilizer
This plant is not a heavy feeder. A little food goes a long way. Feed it once a month during the spring and summer growing season.
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength. Don't fertilize at all in the fall and winter when the plant is dormant.
Making More Pearls (For Free!)
One of the best things about this plant is how easy it is to propagate. Making new plants from cuttings is simple and a great way to make your main plant look fuller. It's also how you can save a plant that's suffering from root rot.
The Soil Method (Better)
This is the most reliable way to make new plants. First, snip a healthy stem about 4-6 inches long. Gently remove the last few pearls from the cut end to expose the nodes, that’s where the roots will grow.
Let the cutting sit out for a day or two so the end can dry and form a callus. This prevents it from rotting when you plant it. Then, just lay the cutting on top of some fresh succulent soil, making sure the bare nodes are touching the dirt.
You can use a bit of wire (like a paperclip) to pin it down. Keep the soil lightly moist by misting it every few days. You should see roots and new growth in a few weeks.
The Water Method (Riskier)
You can also root cuttings in water. Just stick the cut end in a jar of water, making sure the pearls stay dry. It’s fun to watch the roots grow.
The downside? Roots grown in water are weak and often struggle when moved to soil. The plant might not survive the transition. For best results, stick with the soil method.
When Things Go Wrong
Even the best plant parents run into trouble sometimes. Here’s how to figure out what’s wrong and fix it.
Pests
Mealybugs and aphids are the most common pests. Mealybugs look like tiny white cotton fluff, hiding where the leaves meet the stem. Aphids are small, pear-shaped insects that cluster on new growth.
If you see bugs, isolate the plant immediately. For a few pests, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and dab them off. For a bigger problem, spray the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Root Rot
The number one killer, root rot is caused by soil that stays too wet. The stems at the base will turn brown or black and feel mushy. The pearls will turn yellow and soft.
Once the roots are gone, the plant is usually a goner. Your only hope is to perform a rescue mission. Snip off any healthy, green stems, and propagate them to start a new plant.
Common Mistakes
Is the top of your plant looking thin and bald? It's probably not getting enough light on the soil. The solution is easy, just take a few of the long strands, coil them on top of the soil, and pin them down. They'll root and fill in the gaps.
Shriveled pearls can be confusing. It can mean the plant is thirsty... or it can mean it's been overwatered and the roots have rotted away. To figure it out, check the soil. If it’s bone dry, water it. If it’s wet and the stems are mushy, you’ve got root rot.
The Fancy Variegated One
There's a popular version called Curio rowleyanus 'Variegatus' . It has the same round leaves, but they’re splashed with cream, white, and sometimes even pink. The white parts have no chlorophyll, which is the green stuff that makes food for the plant.
Because it has less green, it makes energy more slowly. It needs more bright, indirect light than the regular version to stay alive. But be careful, those white patches are extra sensitive and can burn easily in direct sun.
This makes the variegated type a bit trickier to grow. It's a slower grower and needs that perfect light spot. Otherwise, its care for water and soil is exactly the same.
Other Stuff to Know
Surprise! It Flowers
A happy String of Pearls will sometimes flower. The blooms are small, white, brush-like clusters that smell surprisingly like cinnamon or cloves. To encourage flowers, give the plant a cooler, drier rest period in the winter.
Can I Grow it From Seed?
Technically, yes. But you probably shouldn't. Growing from seed is slow, difficult, and often fails. Propagating from cuttings is so much faster and easier.
Benefits
Let's be real, the main benefit of this plant is that it looks cool. Like other houseplants, caring for it can be a nice way to de-stress. While plants can clean the air, you’d need a jungle in your living room to notice a real difference. Grow it because you love it.
Is it Toxic? (Spoiler: Yes)
Keep it well out of reach of children and pets. A high shelf or a hanging basket is the perfect spot. Be safe, not sorry.
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