Plant care guides
String of pearls care guide Senecio rowleyanus
How to grow and care for String of pearls at home. Bead-like trailing succulent.
- Light
- Bright / direct light
- Watering (summer)
- Every 14 to 21 days
- Watering (winter)
- Every 30 to 45 days, sometimes less
- Pet safety
- Toxic to cats and dogs
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Scientific name
- Senecio rowleyanus
- Origin
- Southwest Africa
- Humidity
- 30-60%
Fun fact
Each ‘pearl’ has a thin transparent stripe that lets sunlight reach the inner photosynthetic tissue while minimising water loss in dry Namibian winds.
When and how much water
Water String of pearls when the soil has dried out completely. In summer that’s typically every 14 to 21 days; in winter slow down to every 30 to 45 days, sometimes less. Use room-temperature water and let any excess drain — never leave the pot sitting in standing water.
- Every 30 to 45 days, sometimes less
- Every 14 to 21 days
The real schedule depends on three things the calendar can’t see: the actual light at the plant, the pot’s size and material (terracotta dries faster than glazed ceramic), and your local humidity. Botanicaly’s app retunes the schedule from those signals on every reminder.
How bright a spot it needs
String of pearls needs several hours of direct sun. Turn the pot every week so it grows evenly. The ideal lux range is 10,000 - 50,000 lux. In practical terms, place it directly in front of a south or southwest window, or 30 cm from an east window.
Feeding
Feed String of pearls every 60 days while it’s actively growing. Use a cactus and succulent fertilizer, which is lower in nitrogen, at half the strength on the label, and only on soil that’s already damp. When growth pauses, skip the fertilizer and let it rest.
Temperature & humidity
String of pearls is comfortable between 18 and 24 °C. Below 5 °C the leaves start taking damage, so keep it clear of cold drafts and unheated rooms.
It does best at 30–60% humidity. It doesn’t need misting.
Common problems
Most String of pearls problems trace back to watering — here’s how to read the leaves.
Signs of overwatering
Watch for
- Mushy stems
- Yellowing pearls
- Root rot
- Bursting pearls
Let the soil dry further between waterings and make sure the pot drains freely — soggy roots are the usual cause.
Signs of underwatering
Watch for
- Shriveled pearls
- Wrinkled pearls
- Flattened beads
Water a little more often and don’t let the soil go bone-dry for long.
Toxic to pets?
YesToxic to pets.
The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which causes oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting if chewed. Keep String of pearls out of reach of pets, or pick a non-toxic alternative like Donkey’s tail, Ponytail palm, or String of hearts.
Pet-safe alternatives with similar light: Donkey’s tail, Ponytail palm, String of hearts. See all pet-safe alternatives →
Pet-safety information for catalog plants uses ASPCA reference data where available. It is reference information, not veterinary advice.
Propagation
Grow more String of pearls from a cutting.
- Choose a healthy stem with at least one node and one or two leaves.
- Cut just below a node using clean, sharp scissors or a knife.
- Remove any leaves from the bottom 5 cm so they don’t rot in water or soil.
Common questions
How often should I water a String of pearls?
Water your String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) when the soil has dried out completely. In summer, that’s typically every 14 to 21 days; in winter, slow down to every 30 to 45 days, sometimes less. Botanicaly’s app tunes this further based on your home’s actual light, pot size, and local weather.
How much light does a String of pearls need?
String of pearls needs several hours of direct sun. Turn the pot every week so it grows evenly. The ideal lux range is 10,000 - 50,000 lux. In practical terms, place it directly in front of a south or southwest window, or 30 cm from an east window.
Is String of pearls safe for cats and dogs?
The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which causes oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting if chewed. Keep String of pearls out of reach of pets, or pick a non-toxic alternative like Donkey’s tail, Ponytail palm, or String of hearts.
Why are my String of pearls’s leaves turning yellow or drooping?
On a String of pearls, yellowing and soft growth usually mean overwatering — watch for mushy stems, yellowing pearls, or root rot. Let the soil dry further between waterings and check drainage. If you see shriveled pearls, wrinkled pearls, or flattened beads instead, it’s likely thirsty — water a little more often. Botanicaly’s Plant Doctor can help assess visible signs from a photo and suggest possible causes.
Botanicaly
A schedule that reads your room.
You don’t need to work out your String of pearls’s care from scratch each time. Botanicaly uses its saved setup and care history for the next step. Identifying is free. Pro adds Plant Doctor and Weather-smart care.
Still wet
Check again in 2 days
Botanicaly updates the next step when the soil isn’t dry.
