String of Pearls is a delicate succulent vine native to the arid regions of southwest Africa, instantly recognizable by its unique trailing stems adorned with hundreds of tiny, spherical pearl-like leaves. Each bead-shaped leaf, no larger than 1/4 inch in diameter, is a water-storing marvel that allows this plant to thrive in dry conditions where most houseplants would struggle. In its native habitat, these vines creep along the ground for 2-3 feet or more, rooting as they spread to form dense ground cover. Hardy in zones 9-12, it's equally at home cascading from a hanging basket or spread across shallow containers, bringing an otherworldly sculptural quality to indoor and outdoor spaces.
Partial Sun
Moderate
9-12
24in H x 24in W
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High
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The pearl-shaped leaves are unlike anything else in the succulent world, storing water within their spherical form to survive extended droughts. These stems can stretch 2-3 feet or longer in ideal conditions, creating a lush trailing effect that makes it irresistible for hanging baskets and shelf displays. Its ability to root at the nodes as it trails means a single strand can gradually fill an entire container or ground area over time, and it produces showy seasonal blooms as a bonus to its already striking foliage.
String of Pearls is grown primarily as an ornamental houseplant and ground cover, valued for its dramatic trailing habit and sculptural foliage. It excels in hanging baskets where its stems cascade gracefully, filling the space with hundreds of delicate pearls. In frost-free zones, it can be used as a living ground cover in dry, well-drained areas where traditional turf grasses struggle.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Pruning isn't essential for health but can shape wayward growth and encourage fuller, bushier development. Trim stems back to nodes (where leaves cluster) to redirect energy and create a more compact form, or allow them to trail freely for a cascading effect.
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“String of Pearls comes to us from the dry grasslands and semi-desert regions of southwest Africa, where it evolved as a ground-hugging creeper adapted to harsh, arid conditions. Its scientific name, Curio rowleyanus (formerly Senecio rowleyanus), honors the plant collector and succulent enthusiast Gordon Rowley, reflecting its journey from wild African landscapes into cultivation and eventually into the hands of modern houseplant enthusiasts seeking low-maintenance botanical oddities.”