Senecio rowleyanus
| Light | Bright, indirect light; a little direct morning sun is fine |
|---|---|
| Water | Sparingly; let the mix dry out between waterings, drier still in winter |
| Soil | Free-draining succulent mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; happiest in ordinary room temperatures, USDA zones 10–12 |
| Propagation | Cuttings (very easy); layering trailing stems |
| Toxicity | Toxic if eaten; keep away from curious pets and children |
Senecio rowleyanus is the beloved string of pearls, a trailing succulent from southwestern Africa whose slender stems are strung with round, pea-like leaves. Each little sphere is a water-storing leaf marked by a translucent stripe — a "window" that lets light into the interior — and long, cascading strands make the plant a favourite for hanging pots and high shelves. It belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae, and is now often placed in the segregate genus Curio; you may see it sold as Curio rowleyanus. See Senecio for the wider group of succulent senecios.
Description
Senecio rowleyanus is a mat-forming, trailing succulent that creeps along the ground in habitat and tumbles downward in cultivation. Its thread-like stems root where they touch soil and can grow to considerable length, hung with spherical leaves roughly the size of a small pea. The near-spherical shape minimises the surface area exposed to the harsh sun while still holding plenty of water, and the narrow clear window down one side allows light to reach photosynthetic tissue inside.
Given enough light the plant produces small, brush-like flowers of tiny white florets, tipped with colourful stamens and carrying a soft, cinnamon-like scent. Like other members of Asteraceae, each "flower" is really a compact head of many florets.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to arid parts of southwestern Africa, where it grows in the shade of rocks and other plants, its trailing stems forming dense mats on dry, well-drained ground. In this setting the strands root as they spread, and the plant is often partly sheltered from the fiercest sun rather than fully exposed — a useful clue to how it likes to be grown indoors.
Cultivation
String of pearls is easy to please as long as it is never left sitting wet. Grow it in a shallow pot in a gritty, free-draining mix, in bright, indirect light; an hour or two of gentle morning sun helps keep the strands full and the leaves plump, but harsh afternoon glare through glass can scorch them. Water thoroughly, then let the mix dry out before watering again, and cut back sharply in winter when growth slows. See Watering for general technique.
The commonest cause of a sad, shrivelled or mushy plant is watering trouble: too much leads to rot and dropped pearls, while chronic underwatering leaves the beads deflated and wrinkled. Shrivelled pearls usually plump back up after a good drink, so read the leaves before reaching for the watering can. A shallow, wide container suits the plant's shallow roots, and it appreciates a repot into fresh mix every couple of years.
Propagation
Few succulents root as willingly. Take a length of healthy stem, lay it on top of a barely moist mix or press a few of the leaf nodes into the surface, and roots will form where the stem meets the soil. You can also simply pin trailing strands down onto the surface of the parent pot to layer them, then separate the rooted sections later. Cuttings are by far the usual route; see Propagation — cuttings for a full walkthrough.
Common problems
- Rot — from overwatering or a slow-draining mix; strands turn to mush and pearls drop. Keep the plant on the dry side and use a gritty medium.
- Shrivelled pearls — usually thirst (they plump up after watering), though the same look can come from root rot, so check that the roots are sound.
- Leggy, sparse strands — too little light; move the plant somewhere brighter and the beads will grow closer together.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff tucked among the pearls) and aphids on new growth are the usual visitors. See Pests and diseases.
See also
- Senecio — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — cuttings · Repotting · Pests and diseases