Curio herreanus
| Light | Bright, indirect light; a few hours of gentle direct sun is fine |
|---|---|
| Water | Water thoroughly, then let the soil dry out fully; reduce in winter |
| Soil | Free-draining gritty succulent mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; happiest in warm room temperatures, USDA zones 10–11 |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings; layering trailing stems onto soil |
| Toxicity | Mildly toxic if eaten; keep away from curious pets and children |
Curio herreanus is a trailing succulent from the dry country of southern Africa, grown for its long, dangling stems strung with plump, football-shaped leaves. Each little bead is marked with darker translucent lines running lengthwise, which — along with the fat, rounded shape — have earned it affectionate common names such as string of tears, string of beads and string of watermelons. It belongs to the genus Curio, a group of succulent daisies split off from Senecio, under which name (Senecio herreanus) it is still very widely sold.
Description
Curio herreanus produces slender, trailing stems that lengthen and spill gracefully over the edge of a pot or basket as the plant matures. Strung along them are the fleshy leaves: rounded to distinctly oval, tapering slightly at each end so that they resemble tiny watermelons or teardrops. Each leaf carries several fine, darker lines — translucent "windows" that run from tip to tip and let extra light reach the photosynthetic tissue inside, an adaptation to the plant's bright, arid homeland.
The leaves are usually a fresh mid-green, sometimes taking on a purplish or bronzed cast in strong sun. Small, off-white, brush-like flowers appear on short stalks, and while modest to look at they carry a pleasant, sweetish cinnamon scent. As with all members of the daisy family (Asteraceae), each "flower" is really a cluster of tiny florets.
C. herreanus is closely related to, and often confused with, the more familiar string of pearls (Curio rowleyanus); the herreanus beads are larger, more elongated and marked with those distinctive stripes, whereas true string of pearls bears rounder, unstriped spheres with a single fine translucent line.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to arid regions of southern Africa, in and around Namibia, where it scrambles among rocks and low shrubs in well-drained ground. In habitat the trailing stems creep across the surface and root where they touch, forming loose mats, while the swollen leaves store water to carry the plant through long dry spells. The partly translucent leaf windows help it cope with fierce sunlight without overheating.
Cultivation
Curio herreanus is an easygoing houseplant that asks mainly for good light and restraint with the watering can. Give it a bright spot — near a sunny window indoors, or with some shade from the most scorching midday sun outdoors — and grow it in a very free-draining, gritty mix. Shallow pots and hanging baskets suit its trailing habit and dry out quickly, which the plant prefers.
Water thoroughly, then wait until the soil has dried out completely before watering again; overwatering and heavy, water-retentive compost are by far the commonest causes of loss, leading to mushy, collapsing stems. Ease off considerably in winter, giving only enough water to keep the beads from shrivelling. Feed sparingly, if at all, during the growing season. See Watering and Repotting for general technique. In frost-free climates it can be grown outdoors year-round, but bring it in or protect it before temperatures approach freezing.
Propagation
This is one of the easiest succulents to multiply. Take a length of healthy stem, let the cut end dry for a day or so, then lay it on or press it lightly into the surface of a gritty mix; the nodes readily root where they meet the soil. You can also simply pin a trailing stem down onto a neighbouring pot and let it root before severing it. Keep cuttings barely moist and in bright, indirect light until established. See Propagation — cuttings for a full walkthrough.
Common problems
- Rot / mushy stems — nearly always from overwatering or a soil that holds too much moisture; the beads and stems turn soft and translucent.
- Shrivelled, deflating beads — usually the opposite problem, underwatering or roots that have dried out entirely; a good soak normally plumps them back up.
- Leggy, sparse growth — too little light stretches the stems and spaces the leaves out; move the plant somewhere brighter.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff tucked among the beads and nodes) and the occasional aphid or spider mite; see Pests and diseases.
See also
- Curio — the genus overview
- Curio rowleyanus — string of pearls, its close and very similar relative
- Propagation — cuttings · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Pests and diseases