String of Pearls

String of Pearls (Curio rowleyanus)

String of Pearls is a trailing succulent that instantly makes a shelf, hanging planter, or sunny window look more styled. Its bead-like leaves create a clean, modern texture that feels playful without looking busy. It thrives on bright light and a let-it-dry watering rhythm, so it fits real life and forgiving care. Once established, the vines lengthen steadily and can turn a small pot into a full cascade.

Distinctive Features

This succulent is known for round, pea-shaped leaves spaced along thin trailing stems, a design that helps the plant store moisture and handle dry stretches. In the growing season, it can produce small white, daisy-like flowers that are lightly fragrant and often described as cinnamon-scented. Stems may root where nodes touch soil, which makes it easy to thicken a pot over time. The overall look is airy, graphic, and draping, with a strong sculptural effect in a compact container.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Bright indirect light is ideal, and a few hours of gentle morning sun can help keep growth compact.
• Soil: Use a fast-draining cactus or succulent mix in a pot with drainage.
• Water: Water thoroughly, then let the mix dry out well before watering again, reducing watering in winter.
• USDA Zones: 9 to 11 outdoors, and grown as a houseplant anywhere.
• Mature Size: Trailing stems commonly reach about 2 to 3 feet long in containers, sometimes longer with age.
• Temperature: Protect from frost and prolonged cold, and keep in a warm, bright spot indoors.

Ideal Uses

• Hanging Baskets: Let vines spill freely for a clean cascade of bead-like foliage.
• Shelves and Plant Stands: Place it high to add movement and soften hard lines in a room.
• Bright Windows: Grow near a bright window to encourage tighter leaf spacing and stronger form.
• Succulent Arrangements: Pair with upright succulents to balance vertical structure with trailing texture.
• Focal Point: Feature a single pot in a simple hanging planter where the cascading pearls become the main visual statement.
• Small Space Styling: Add impact without taking up floor space by using height and trailing form.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering Discipline: Keep it on the dry side, since wet soil can quickly lead to rot.
• Pruning: Trim long stems to shape the plant and encourage branching for a fuller pot.
• Propagation: Lay stems on the soil surface or root cuttings to thicken the plant and extend the cascade.
• Feeding: Feed lightly in spring and summer with a diluted fertilizer, and pause feeding in winter.
• Handling: Avoid rough tugging on vines, since stems can snap when tangled or moved quickly.

Why Choose String of Pearls?

• Signature Texture: Bead-like leaves deliver a look that stands out from typical trailing plants.
• Simple Routine: Bright light and dry breaks between waterings keep care straightforward and repeatable.
• Space Efficient: Trails downward to add volume and style without crowding tabletops.
• Easy to Fill In: Roots readily at nodes, making it simple to build a fuller pot over time.
• Seasonal Bonus: Small, fragrant white flowers can appear in the growing season when conditions are right.
• Pet Safety Note: Keep out of reach of pets and children, since the plant is considered toxic if ingested.

If you want a trailing houseplant that feels modern, stays manageable, and rewards consistent basics, String of Pearls is a strong pick. Give it fast drainage, bright light, and a dry rhythm between waterings, and it will develop into a graceful cascade that elevates the room.