Curio rowleyanus
| Light | Bright, indirect light; a little gentle direct sun is fine |
|---|---|
| Water | Water when the soil has nearly dried; reduce in winter |
| Soil | Free-draining succulent or cactus mix |
| Temperature | Keep above 10 °C; USDA zones 10–12, otherwise indoors |
| Propagation | Cuttings (very easy); layering along the stems |
| Toxicity | Mildly toxic if eaten — keep away from cats, dogs and children |
Curio rowleyanus is a trailing succulent from arid parts of South Africa, instantly recognisable for its slender stems strung with round, pea-like leaves. Those little green spheres have earned it the affectionate common names string of pearls and string of beads, and make it one of the most popular of all hanging houseplants. It was long known as Senecio rowleyanus, and much of the older literature and plant labelling still uses that name.
Description
Curio rowleyanus produces thin, trailing stems that can grow to a metre or more, cascading over the rim of a pot or creeping across the ground. Along these stems sit the plant's signature leaves: small, almost perfectly spherical beads a few millimetres across, each tapering to a fine point and marked by a narrow translucent line — a "window" of clear tissue that lets light reach the photosynthetic interior while the reduced, ball-like shape limits water loss.
Mature plants may produce small, brush-like white flowers with prominent stamens and a soft, cinnamon-like scent. The blooms are modest compared with the foliage, but a well-grown, free-flowering plant is a lovely thing.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to the drylands of South Africa, where it grows in the shelter of rocks and larger plants. In habitat the trailing stems sprawl across the ground rather than hanging, rooting where the nodes touch soil to form spreading mats. The dappled shade of surrounding vegetation protects it from the fiercest sun, and its beaded leaves are an adaptation to long dry spells and bright light.
Cultivation
String of pearls is easy to please as long as it is not kept wet. Grow it in a free-draining succulent or cactus mix, ideally in a hanging pot or on a shelf where the stems can trail. Give it bright, mostly indirect light; a little morning sun encourages fuller growth, but harsh afternoon sun through glass can scorch the beads. Water thoroughly, then let the mix dry out almost completely before watering again — shrivelled, softening beads usually mean thirst, while mushy stems and dropped beads mean overwatering. Ease off through the cooler months. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
The plant looks best when full, so many growers coil trailing stems back over the soil surface or tuck cuttings in around the edges to thicken it up.
Propagation
Propagation could hardly be simpler. Lay a length of stem on the surface of a suitable mix, or press the bare nodes gently into it, and roots form quickly where the stem contacts damp soil. Short tip cuttings root just as readily; let a cut end callus for a day before planting. Because the stems root so willingly at their nodes, layering along an existing pot is often the easiest route to a fuller plant. See Propagation — cuttings for a full walkthrough.
Common problems
- Rot — the commonest cause of loss, almost always from overwatering or a mix that holds too much moisture; stems go soft, translucent and drop their beads.
- Shrivelled beads — usually underwatering, though it can also follow root damage from rot; check the roots before simply watering more.
- Leggy, sparse growth — too little light stretches the stems and widens the gaps between beads.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff tucked among the beads) and aphids on the flowers are the usual offenders; see Pests and diseases.
See also
- Curio — the genus overview
- Propagation — cuttings · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Pests and diseases