String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is a houseplant worth getting to know properly, and this guide covers exactly how to keep it healthy: light, water, soil, humidity, temperature, feeding, repotting, propagation and the problems that show up when something is off. It is a succulent, which means it stores water in its leaves or stems and wants bright light, infrequent watering and a gritty, free-draining mix. Treat it like a leafy tropical houseplant — regular watering, rich soil, a dim corner — and it will rot; treat it like the dry-climate plant it is, and it will thrive for years with very little fuss.
String of pearls is grown for its trailing stems of round, bead-like leaves, each one a tiny water reservoir with a translucent stripe — a little window that lets light into the leaf. In a hanging basket the stems spill over the edge and can trail a metre or more, looking like a green beaded curtain. It is one of the most recognisable trailing succulents, and also one of the easiest to kill with kindness: it wants far less water than most houseplants, and its roots are shallow and quick to rot in wet soil.
String of Pearls at a glance
| Care factor | What this plant needs |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Senecio rowleyanus |
| Light | bright indirect |
| Water | every 2–3 weeks; let soil dry fully |
| Humidity | low |
| Temperature | 60–80°F |
| Repotting | every 2–3 years |
| Pet safety | toxic to cats and dogs |
Light
Give your string of pearls bright indirect light. For most homes that means a spot a metre or so from a bright window, or right beside an east- or west-facing window where the sun is gentler. Direct midday sun through a south-facing window can scorch the leaves, leaving pale, papery patches that do not heal, so a sheer curtain or a step back from the glass is worth it in summer. Too little light is the more common mistake. Growth slows and stems stretch towards the window. If the plant leans hard in one direction, rotate the pot a quarter turn every couple of weeks so it grows evenly. Our grow-light calculator can help work out how much light your spot actually provides.
Watering
Water every 2–3 weeks; let soil dry fully. Push a finger into the soil before you water: if it is still damp, wait; if it is dry, water thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes, then let the excess drain away completely and empty the saucer. Never let the plant sit in standing water. The top of the pot matters as much as the trailing stems. The crown — where the stems meet the soil — needs light falling on it, so hang the plant where light reaches the soil surface, not just the hanging strands. If the pearls at the top shrivel while the ends still look fine, the crown is usually too shaded or the soil at the top is staying wet. Water less in winter, when growth slows and the soil stays wet longer, and a little more in summer, when the plant is actively growing. If you are unsure how much water your pot needs, our watering calculator gives a starting point based on pot size, and the watering schedule generator can help you build a routine. Signs of overwatering include soft, mushy leaves and stems; signs of underwatering include wrinkled, shrivelled leaves.
Humidity and temperature
String of Pearls prefers low humidity and temperatures of 60–80°F. Most homes are well within that temperature range, so temperature is rarely a problem indoors — the things to watch are cold draughts in winter and cold windows that chill the plant overnight. Keep it away from both. Low humidity is good news for most homes: this plant does not need a humidifier, a pebble tray or misting, and in fact it prefers dry air. Good airflow helps too, especially in winter, because still, damp air around the leaves encourages rot. Our humidity and temperature checker can tell you whether your room suits this plant.
Soil and potting
String of Pearls needs a gritty, free-draining mix — standard potting soil on its own holds too much water and compacts over time. Use a cactus or succulent mix, or mix standard potting soil with perlite or pumice so air can reach the roots, and always use a pot with drainage holes. Without drainage, water has nowhere to go and root rot follows, which is the fastest way to kill this plant. Our potting-mix calculator can work out the parts for a homemade mix for your pot size, and a shallow pot often suits this plant better than a deep one, because its roots are shallow and a deep pot holds wet soil the roots cannot reach.
Repotting
Repot every 2–3 years, or sooner if roots are circling the drainage holes or pushing out of the top of the pot. Move up only one pot size — a pot that is too big holds wet soil the roots cannot use. Spring is the best time to repot, when the plant is about to grow, and fresh mix gives the roots a new supply of air and nutrients. Handle the plant gently while repotting, and let it settle for a few days before watering again. Our repotting calculator can help you work out the next pot size and how much fresh mix you will need.
Feeding
Feed during the growing season, in spring and summer, with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser at half strength, and do not feed in autumn and winter when the plant is barely growing. Always follow the directions on the label — more fertiliser is not better, and excess salts build up in the soil and burn the roots, which often shows up as brown leaf tips. A light feeding once or twice in the growing season is plenty for a slow-growing succulent like this one, and a plant that is not growing does not need feeding at all.
Propagation
Propagate string of pearls from stem cuttings. Lay a healthy stem across the surface of dry succulent mix, pin it down gently if needed so the nodes touch the soil, and mist the surface lightly only once roots begin to form. Roots grow from the nodes along the stem, and each rooted node can send out new growth.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Stretching (etiolation) | Too little light | Move the plant to a brighter spot gradually, and prune back stretched growth if needed. New growth should come in compact. |
| Wrinkled leaves | Underwatering | Water thoroughly and let the excess drain away, then water again once the soil has dried to the usual depth. Wrinkled or shrivelled growth should plump up again. |
| Sunburn spots | Sudden harsh direct sun | Move the plant out of harsh midday sun or away from cold draughts, and acclimatise it gradually to brighter light. Damaged areas will not heal, but new growth should be healthy. |
Stretching (etiolation)
Likely cause: too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot gradually, and prune back stretched growth if needed. New growth should come in compact.
Wrinkled leaves
Likely cause: underwatering. Water thoroughly and let the excess drain away, then water again once the soil has dried to the usual depth. Wrinkled or shrivelled growth should plump up again.
Sunburn spots
Likely cause: sudden harsh direct sun. Move the plant out of harsh midday sun or away from cold draughts, and acclimatise it gradually to brighter light. Damaged areas will not heal, but new growth should be healthy.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water string of pearls?
Water every 2–3 weeks; let soil dry fully. Check the soil rather than watering on a calendar: if the soil is still damp, wait. Water thoroughly when it is time, let the excess drain away completely, and never let the plant sit in standing water.
What light does string of pearls need?
It needs bright indirect light. See the light section above for the best window position. Too little light leads to stretching and pale, weak growth, while sudden harsh sun can scorch the leaves — move the plant into brighter light gradually.
Is string of pearls safe for cats and dogs?
According to the data used for this guide, string of pearls is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it out of reach of curious pets if the data says it is toxic, and contact a vet if your pet has eaten any of it. If it is listed as non-toxic, it is still best kept out of reach so pets do not damage the plant.
Why does my string of pearls have stretching (etiolation)?
The most likely cause is too little light. Check the common problems table above and fix that cause first before changing anything else — most problems on this plant come back to light or watering.
When should I repot string of pearls?
Repot every 2–3 years, in spring, or sooner if roots are circling the drainage holes. Move up one pot size only and use a fresh, free-draining mix. Browse the houseplants hub for more care guides in this series, or try the repotting calculator to work out the next pot size.
Related guides
Browse the full houseplants hub for more species care guides, and see the tools hub for calculators that help with watering, light and repotting.