String of pearls (Curio rowleyanus, formerly Senecio rowleyanus) is a trailing succulent from dry parts of South Africa, with round, bead-like leaves on stems up to about 3 feet long. It is usually grown in a hanging pot. String of pearls care comes down to bright light, a gritty, fast-draining mix, careful watering, and a cool, drier rest in winter. Overwatering is what kills most plants. This guide follows NC State, UW-Madison and Illinois Extension and the RHS.
String of Pearls Care at a Glance
| Need | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright light; east or west window; no hot midday summer sun (RHS); bright, indirect indoors (NC State) |
| Soil | Cactus mix, or 2 parts loam-based compost : 1 part grit (RHS); gravel or pumice up to 1:1 (UW-Madison) |
| Water | Lightly April to September, dry between waterings; sparingly in winter (RHS) |
| Temperature | 10 to 25°C (50 to 75°F) (RHS); 70 to 80°F summer, 50 to 60°F winter (NC State); frost-tender |
| Feeding | Half-strength liquid feed, at most monthly, in the growing season (RHS) |
| Size | Stems up to about 3 ft (UW-Madison, NC State) |
| Toxicity | Mildly toxic; sap irritates skin (UW-Madison, NC State, RHS) |
Sources: RHS How to grow string of beads; NC State Extension Plant Toolbox; Mahr, UW-Madison Extension.
Light
The RHS says string of pearls enjoys bright light, such as near an east- or west-facing window, but should be kept out of direct sun in the middle of the day in summer, which can scorch the leaves (variegated forms especially). NC State recommends bright, indirect sunlight indoors, and UW-Madison Extension says it only needs bright light, well-drained soil and infrequent watering.
In too little light, the stems stretch and the pearls are spaced further apart. A hanging pot in a dim corner looks good for a while but slowly declines; hang it near a bright window or under a grow light. See our grow light guide.
Soil and Pots
The RHS recommends a free-draining, peat-free succulent and cactus compost, or two parts loam-based, peat-free compost to one part horticultural grit. UW-Madison suggests a very well-draining cactus mix with pea gravel or pumice added, up to a 1:1 ratio. NC State lists cactus potting mix, or potting soil mixed with sand or perlite.
Use a pot with drainage holes, only slightly larger than the old one (RHS). Terracotta wicks away excess water, and a hanging basket or high shelf shows off the trailing stems. The RHS says new plants can usually stay in their container for at least a year. For more on additives, see our vermiculite vs perlite guide.
How to Water String of Pearls
| Source | Watering advice |
|---|---|
| RHS | Water lightly April to September, letting the compost dry between waterings; in winter, sparingly if at all; don’t let the leaves shrivel |
| UW-Madison | Water when the leaves start to look a bit shriveled |
| NC State | Overwatering causes root rot; never let the plant dry out completely between waterings |
Sources: RHS; UW-Madison Extension; NC State Extension.
The sources agree on the main risk, root rot from overwatering, but differ on how dry to let it get. A practical middle ground: water thoroughly when the mix has dried out and the pearls have just begun to lose their plumpness, let the excess drain, and empty the saucer. Water much less in winter. Plump, firm pearls mean it has enough water; slightly wrinkled pearls with dry mix mean it is time to water; shriveled or mushy pearls with wet mix point to root rot (see below).
Temperature, Winter Rest and Flowers
The RHS gives typical room temperatures of 10 to 25°C (50 to 75°F), away from cold draughts and radiators. NC State suggests 70 to 80°F in summer and 50 to 60°F in winter and notes it is not frost-tolerant. UW-Madison recommends a cool winter rest at 55 to 60°F and says dry conditions may encourage summer flowers: small, white, fragrant, daisy-like blooms with red stamens. NC State describes the scent as cinnamon-like and notes that the plant rarely flowers indoors.
Feeding: the RHS says string of pearls is not a hungry plant; if you want, feed no more than monthly in the growing season with a half-strength general liquid fertilizer.
String of Pearls Propagation
String of pearls roots easily, and NC State suggests propagating from cuttings rather than trying to revive an old, declining plant.
- Stem cuttings: UW-Madison suggests 3 to 4 inch stem-tip cuttings with 3 to 4 pearls stripped from the bottom; the RHS uses 10 cm (4 in) pieces inserted into moist, peat-free cuttings compost. Roots form at the nodes, in about a month (RHS).
- Layering: lay a stem across the surface of a pot of cuttings compost, peg it down, and detach it once it has rooted (RHS). The stems root naturally where they touch soil (UW-Madison).
- Aftercare: UW-Madison suggests misting the soil surface rather than soaking it until roots are established.
In water: cuttings can also be rooted in a glass of water, but the extension sources above use compost, which avoids the step of moving water roots into soil. Growing from seed is rarely practical at home, since cuttings root so easily.
Shriveled, Mushy or Thin Strands
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Shriveled pearls, rotting stems, wet mix | Overwatering, root and stem rot (RHS, UW-Madison) | Let it dry out; take healthy cuttings and restart in fresh gritty mix |
| Slightly wrinkled pearls, dry mix | Needs water (UW-Madison) | Water thoroughly and let drain |
| Long, bare strands with widely spaced pearls | Too little light; old stems | Move to brighter light; trim and replant cuttings |
| Scorched, bleached pearls | Hot midday summer sun (RHS) | Light shade at midday |
| White cottony clusters, sticky residue | Mealybugs, aphids (UW-Madison, RHS, NC State) | See our mealybug guide |
Sources: RHS; UW-Madison Extension; NC State Extension.
For rotting plants, cuttings from healthy stem tips are usually the best rescue; see our root rot guide. For mealybugs, see our rubbing alcohol guide. NC State also lists whiteflies, fungus gnats and ants; see our fungus gnat guide. For another trailing succulent, see our succulent guide.
Is String of Pearls Toxic to Cats?
It is considered mildly toxic. UW-Madison says the leaves are mildly toxic if eaten, and NC State says eating the leaves can cause vomiting and diarrhea and lists it as a problem for cats and dogs; both note the sap can irritate skin. The RHS calls the plant poisonous, says the sap can cause severe skin irritation, and advises gloves when pruning. We did not find a string of pearls entry in the ASPCA plant database. Hang it out of reach of cats and dogs, and call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if a pet eats it. See our cat-safe plants list for alternatives.
For more trailing and hanging plants, see our guides to asparagus fern and string of hearts care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I water string of pearls?
Lightly from April to September, when the mix has dried (RHS), or when the pearls begin to look slightly shriveled (UW-Madison). Water only sparingly in winter.
How much light does string of pearls need?
Bright light, such as an east- or west-facing window, out of hot midday summer sun (RHS). NC State recommends bright, indirect light indoors.
Why are my string of pearls shriveling?
If the mix is dry, it needs water. If the mix is wet and stems are soft, it is overwatered and rotting (RHS, UW-Madison).
How do you propagate string of pearls?
Take 3 to 4 inch stem-tip cuttings, strip the lowest pearls and insert them into moist cuttings compost, or lay stems on the surface and peg them down; they root in about a month (UW-Madison, RHS).
Is string of pearls toxic to cats?
It is mildly toxic: eating it can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and the sap irritates skin (NC State, UW-Madison).
Does string of pearls flower?
Sometimes, in summer, with small white, fragrant flowers; a cool, dry winter rest encourages it (UW-Madison), but NC State notes it rarely flowers indoors.