Plants
String of Pearls
Senecio rowleyanus · Asteraceae
The string of pearls is probably the quirkiest hanging succulent of all: pea-sized, perfectly round leaves line up along thread-thin stems like a green pearl necklace. The beads are water reservoirs — a perfect adaptation to its arid homeland. We buy our plants with densely beaded strands at the Veiling Rhein-Maas.
- Light
- Very bright to full sun; only screen it lightly from harsh midday sun behind south-facing glass in high summer.
- Watering
- Very sparing — let the substrate dry out completely; shrivelling pearls are the signal to water.
- Care level
- Medium
- Botanical
- Senecio rowleyanus
The spherical leaf shape is an evolutionary masterpiece: it minimises the surface for evaporation and maximises storage volume. A narrow translucent stripe on each bead — the so-called window — still lets enough light into the leaf for photosynthesis. Shrivelled pearls signal thirst, burst ones too much water.
Botanically the plant belongs to the ragworts and is now often listed as Curio rowleyanus. With good care, small white brush-like flowers appear in the winter half of the year, smelling surprisingly of cinnamon — a pretty bonus shown only by mature plants in sunny spots.
The most critical point is watering: as a true succulent, the string of pearls tolerates weeks of drought but no wet feet. A lean, mineral-rich cactus substrate and a pot with a drainage hole are non-negotiable. When in doubt, always water a week later rather than a day too early.
It needs plenty of light — a south or west window with a few hours of direct sun is ideal. In the dark winter months a bright, cool spot around 15 degrees Celsius helps; the combination of warm and dark makes the strands stretch and the pearls shrink.
An important note for pet households: the string of pearls is toxic to cats and dogs, and its dangling bead chains unfortunately look tailor-made for feline play. It belongs strictly out of reach — or not in a cat household at all. For small children there is also a risk of confusing the beads with real peas.
In our floristry work we like to stage the string of pearls solo in a hanging pot or high on a shelf where its chains can fall freely. In succulent arrangements it provides the trailing contrast to rosettes such as echeveria.
Is String of Pearls toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Toxic
- Cats
- Toxic
- Dogs
- Toxic
The string of pearls contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids and irritant sap — it is toxic to cats, dogs and children. The pea-like beads invite tasting; hang it strictly out of reach.
Typical symptoms: After ingestion: drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy; the sap can also irritate skin and mucous membranes. Seek veterinary or medical advice after larger amounts.
In an emergency:call the German poison control centre in Bonn on +49 228 19240 (24/7) — for pets, contact an emergency vet directly. This information does not replace medical or veterinary advice.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Place very bright to sunny — a few hours of direct sun daily are welcome.
- 02Water sparingly and let the substrate dry out completely between waterings.
- 03Use mineral cactus substrate and a pot with a drainage hole — waterlogging is fatal.
- 04In winter keep it bright and cool (around 15 degrees Celsius) and water only in sips.
- 05Feed lightly with cactus fertiliser once a month from spring to autumn.
- 06Do not hang within reach of cats, dogs or small children — the plant is toxic.
Frequently asked
- Is the string of pearls toxic to cats?
- Yes. Senecio rowleyanus contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy in cats and dogs. Since the dangling pearls invite play, the plant should either be avoided in pet households or hung absolutely out of reach.
- Why are my string of pearls beads shrivelling?
- Shrivelling beads have two possible causes: simple thirst — thorough watering fixes that — or, paradoxically, root rot from too much moisture, since damaged roots can no longer take up water. If the substrate feels damp, do not add water; check the roots and repot dry if necessary.
- How do I propagate a string of pearls?
- Very simply from stem cuttings: snip strands about ten centimetres long and lay them flat on lightly moist cactus substrate — roots form at the leaf nodes. Laying several cuttings back into the mother pot instantly makes the basket fuller again.
- Does the string of pearls flower?
- Yes. Mature plants in sunny spots produce small white brush-like flowers with a delicate cinnamon scent in the winter half-year. A cool, bright winter rest around 15 degrees Celsius with very sparing watering greatly improves the chance of flowering.