String of Pearls (Regular vs Variegated)

Your Care Guide to Growing this Trailing Succulent.

by Henal Nalin Jasani

String of Pearls plant known by its botanical name Curio Rowleyanus formerly known as Senecio Rowleyanus. They are native Eastern Africa region. It is a beautiful, trailing semi-succulent plant that has green pea-like leaves growing on its cascading vines.

What is Variegated String of Pearls?

Opposed to the Regular String of Pearls, the Variegated version of this plant has green bead leaves that are streaked with cream/white color and appear to be more similar to wasabi peas. The botanical name of this plant is Vari Curio rowleyanus and used to be known as Senecio rowleyanus Variegata. You will generally find the ‘rare’ Variegated String of Pearls plants on the favorite succulent list of many people.

String of Pearls (Variegated vs Non-variegated)

The leaves of the variegated string of pearls plant lack some chlorophyll which results in slower growth as compared to the non-variegated i.e. regular string of pearls. Besides the growth, color is the only difference between the two. Both the variegated and regular string of pearls don’t get tall; rather they trail down and can go down up to 2 feet. Both the versions of the String of Pearls plants bear white flowers with a pleasant cinnamon scent that will instantly lift any space in your home. They adorn beautifully on the sunny window or patio.

Care Guide to String of Pearls (Variegated and Regular)

String of Pearls are pretty easy to grow; as with most succulents. The bead-like leaves of the Variegated and Regular String of Pearls store some of the water in them so they can do fine if you forget to water them sometimes. They can be grown outdoors or indoors.

Water

It is best to bottom water, i.e. leave or soak it in water for 45 minutes then remove. Never top water. Each of its watering sessions should be spaced out. During the growing season they need to be watered more frequently.

Soil

During growing season and winter months, ensure that the soil is well-drained but being succulent it is more tolerant of dry soil than wet soil. To keep the soil well drained and aerated you can choose to mix 25% pumice and/or perlite with soil.

Light

The sun exposure to the string of pearls should be from full to partial sun. They are most commonly kept indoors in which case place your plants on a window that receives a fair amount of bright, indirect light preferably on the window located in the South direction. If they are kept outdoors, keep them in a lightly shaded area like a patio in warmer months and brought indoors during the winter.

Fertilizer

Pick succulent soil mix for the best results. The soil should be fertile and as a good practice you choose to use general fertilizer. Keep the soil neutral to slightly acidic.

Heat and Humidity

Optimal temperature for the string of pearls should be between 70–80° F. This plant needs low humidity however, if you live in an area with a dry climate, mist your plant frequently during the summers.

For added humidity our Plant Mister would make a perfect addition to your plant shelf for both function and beauty.

Are string of pearls plants toxic or poisonous?

String of Pearls plants (Variegated and Regular) fall in the toxicity levels of 2-4 which means that they are mildly toxic for humans and many pets like dogs and cats. It is best recommended to keep them in hanging planters away from the reach of your pets or children. String of pearls plant or beads are not edible and if consumed can cause gastrointestinal problems.

Why is my String of Pearls shriveling?

One of the common problems that people face with string of pearls is overwatering. Being native to Eastern Africa the plants naturally grow in drought tolerant conditions. The plant has a mechanism where it stores some of the water in its bead shaped leaves. But if you overwater the plant it will start to shrivel. Water the plant when the soil is dry and the leaves start to lose their moisture. Also, keep your plant in a location that receives plenty of sun.

Can string of pearls be propagated?

You can only propagate your string of pearls plants once they mature. Growing a whole plant from a single process is a lengthy process and may not even be successful. When your string of pearls plant is mature you can prune it by cutting some of the long, healthy stems. If the leaves lack moisture or are mushy they will not propagate. You can take these cuttings and place them on the soil. The roots will start to emerge wherever the stem is touching the ground. String of Pearls plant is fairly easy to propagate however, if you have trouble doing so or don’t want to utilize your time doing that you can buy String of Pearls Variegated Trailing Plant and String of Pearls Regular Trailing Plant on our website.

Summary

String of Pearls (Variegated and Regular) are pretty easy to care for and can be great starter semi-succulent plants. This trailing plant also acts as great home decor solutions that can instantly lift up any space they’re hanged in. With the right care towards watering the plant, sun exposure and maintaining the soil conditions it will thrive and even reward you with beautiful white flowers. This plant needs more care during the initial growing years. String of pearls plants are more tolerant of warm weather so during fall or winter, bring the plant indoors and place it in the natural warmth of your home. Increase the time of the watering sessions during winter/fall. Avoid placing the plants in windy locations which can cause the bead leaves to drop and come in contact with your pets or children.

All our plants are proudly grown and shipped from our indoor greenhouse in South Florida, USA. You can purchase String of Pearls Variegated Trailing Plant and String of Pearls Regular Trailing Planton our website.