Houseplant
String of Pearls
Curio rowleyanus · Asteraceae
Also called: String of Beads, Senecio rowleyanus (former name), Rosary Vine (misapplied)
String of Pearls (Curio rowleyanus) is a low-water houseplant well suited to Tucson and the low desert. Expect white blooms Small white brush-like flowers with a cinnamon-vanilla scent, typically late wi…
String of Pearls at a glance
- Water use
- Low (established)
- Sun
- Bright indirect light indoors; can take a few hours of gentle morning sun. Avoid harsh direct Tucson afternoon window sun, which scorches the beads.
- Mature size
- Trailing strands 2-3 ft long; only a few inches tall in the pot.
- Growth rate
- Moderate (fast in good light)
- Bloom
- White, Small white brush-like flowers with a cinnamon-vanilla scent, typically late winter to spring under good light.
- Cold hardiness
- Frost-tender succulent; keep above ~50 F. Not winter-hardy outdoors in Tucson.
- Soil
- Fast-draining cactus/succulent mix in a pot with drainage; never let it sit in water.
- Native range
- Dry rocky areas of southwest Africa (Namibia and South Africa)
- Best used as
- Indoor hanging basket, Trailing accent on shelves, Succulent dish gardens, Bright-windowsill specimen
- Wildlife
- None relevant indoors.
- Toxicity
- Toxic if ingested; causes GI upset and is mildly toxic to cats, dogs, and humans, and the sap can irritate skin. Keep away from pets and children.
How to grow String of Pearls in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Treat as a succulent: water thoroughly, then let the soil dry out almost completely before watering again, roughly every 2-3 weeks; cut back further in winter. Shriveled, flattening pearls mean it needs water; mushy, translucent pearls mean overwatering. Tucson's dry air helps but overwatering is the most common killer.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Light feeder; apply a dilute (half-strength) balanced or cactus fertilizer once or twice during spring/summer only. Avoid feeding in fall and winter.
Pruning & care
Trim leggy or bare strands to encourage fullness; cuttings root easily for propagation.
Notes
Grown as an indoor or protected-patio succulent in Tucson; the spherical 'pearls' are water-storing leaves adapted to drought, so it suits the dry desert air but must not be overwatered. Use unglazed/terracotta and a fast mix to prevent root rot. Can spend warm months in bright shade outdoors but must come in before frost.
Sources: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension; ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List; Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder