How to care for String of Pearls
For a complete, in-depth growing guide covering everything from care basics to long-term maintenance, troubleshooting, and expert tips, visit our article.
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Description
string of pearls succulent fake String of Pearls 'Senecio rowleyanus' 2 Gal. / Black / Without PotThe String of Pearls, also known as Senecio rowleyanus, is a unique trailing succulent from the daisy family, admired for its distinctive cascading growth habit. This plant is also commonly called string of beads, string of peas, and rosary vine. The String of Pearls gets its name from its distinctive, long, trailing stems that are adorned with small, spherical leaves that resemble pearls. Each of these bead like leaves features a unique translucent
The String of Pearls, also known as Senecio rowleyanus, is a unique trailing succulent from the daisy family, admired for its distinctive cascading growth habit. This plant is also commonly called string of beads, string of peas, and rosary vine.
The String of Pearls gets its name from its distinctive, long, trailing stems that are adorned with small, spherical leaves that resemble pearls. Each of these bead-like leaves features a unique translucent “window”, a thin, clear strip that allows light to pass into the leaf for photosynthesis. These little green pearls hang delicately from the stems, creating a beautiful cascading effect. In its natural habitat, the stems trail along the ground, rooting where they come into contact, and form dense mats.
Native to South Africa, this charming string of pearls houseplant features trailing stems with pea-like or tiny melon-shaped leaves spilling over planters and hanging baskets, much like its closely related plant string of rubiesGo to othonna capensis ruby necklace.
Your String of Pearls typically grows up to 2 feet long rather than tall, as it is a naturally trailing and hanging plant.
The moderately fast-growing nature of this string of pearls plant makes it a great choice for a variety of landscapes.
The flowers of the string of pearls bloom during the spring and summer months, with white flowers along the stalk and bright yellow anthers. However, it's important to note that String of Pearls plants are primarily grown for their unique bead-like foliage rather than their flowers. Nonetheless, if your string of pearl plants does flower, it's definitely a treat to behold!
This string of pearls also comes in another lovely variety, a variegated string of pearlsGo to senecio rowleyanus string of pearls variegated, with its white-creamy foliage.
When and How to Water Your String of Pearls Plant
String of Pearls is a drought-tolerant succulent that thrives with minimal watering. To keep your plant healthy, allow the soil to dry out between waterings, and only water when the top inch of soil feels dry. The spring of pearls plant prefers watering every 10-14 days in the growing season, and every 3-4 weeks in the dormant season.
During the spring and summer growing season, water every 10–14 days on average. As the plant actively grows, it may require slightly more frequent watering, especially in warm or bright environments.
In fall and winter, reduce watering to about once every 3–4 weeks. Since the plant enters a semi-dormant phase, it uses less moisture and is more vulnerable to overwatering.
Too much water can quickly kill a String of Pearls plant, so it’s always safer to underwater than to overwater. Using terracotta or clay pots helps absorb excess moisture and keeps roots healthier by preventing soggy soil conditions.
Light Requirements - Where to Place Your String of Pearls
When grown indoors, place it near a window that receives bright indirect sunlight for at least 4-6 hours a day. South-facing or west-facing windows are usually the best choices. You can also use artificial grow lights to provide the necessary light if natural sunlight is limited.
When growing outdoors, your low-maintenance string of pearls prefers full sun to partial shade to thrive. Four hours of direct morning or evening sun can also be beneficial for your Senecio rowleyanus, but be careful not to expose it to intense, direct sunlight for extended periods, as it can scorch the leaves of your String of Pearls succulent.
Keep an eye on your string of pearl succulents for any signs of light stress. If the leaves start to turn yellow or brown, it could be a sign that the light is too intense. On the other hand, if the leaves become elongated and spaced out, it might indicate that your pearl succulent is not receiving enough light.
Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs
Use a well-drained soil for your Senecio rowleyanus, and NPK fertilizer (5-10-5) once a year in spring for healthy growth. Planet Desert has got your back with our specialized succulent potting mix or cactus soil mix that includes 5 natural substrates with organic mycorrhizae, perfect for promoting shallow root systems and happy String of Pearls succulents.
Apply the NPK fertilizer once a year in the spring of about 5-10-5 ratio, to provide a gentle boost of nutrients. However, during the cooler months or when your Senecio rowleyanus is in a dormant phase, it's best to avoid fertilizing altogether.
If you notice any signs of fertilizer burn, such as leaf discoloration or wilting, flush the soil with water to remove any excess nutrients.
Hardiness Zone & More
In the United States, this is mostly an indoor plant, but if you live in southern Florida or Hawaii, then you can cultivate it outdoors in USDA zones 9-12.
When it comes to humidity, the String of Pearls is adapted to low-humidity environments.
It can tolerate average indoor humidity levels, but it's important to avoid excessive moisture around the plant.
Ensure good air circulation and avoid placing your String of Pearls in areas prone to high humidity, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
Indoor Growing String of Pearls Plant Requirements
If you are growing your String of Pearls indoors, ideally, keep your plant in a warm environment. In general, it prefers average room temperatures between 60°F and 85°F, which helps it stay healthy and active. Its trailing growth habit makes it an excellent houseplant for hanging baskets, shelves, and high planters, where its cascading stems can be fully displayed and appreciated.
Wildlife - String of Pearls Flowers Attracts the Following Friendly Pollinators
When in bloom, String of Pearls produces small, delicate white flowers that can attract friendly pollinators such as bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects in outdoor or greenhouse settings. These subtle blooms add ecological value while enhancing the plant’s ornamental charm.
Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Lady Bugs
Multi Pollinators
Other Birds
According to the ASPCA, String of Pearls is mildly toxic to cats, dogs, and horses if ingested in large amounts. So, if you have furry friends at home, it's best to keep your string of pearls out of their reach or opt for pet-friendly alternatives.
How to Propagate Your String of Pearls Plant
For propagating a string of pearls Senecio rowleyanus, simply snip off a healthy stem or string of pearls plant seed (from leaf tips) and place it in well-draining soil. After a few weeks, you should start to see roots forming, indicating successful propagation by stem cuttings.
Key highlights
- String of Pearls is one of the best trailing houseplants, featuring long cascading strands that look beautiful in hanging baskets and shelves.
- This plant is highly drought-tolerant, storing water in its round leaves and requiring minimal watering.
- String of Pearls remains compact and space-efficient, making it ideal for small homes, desks, and modern interiors.
- The plant can produce delicate, fragrant white flowers under the right growing conditions, adding subtle ornamental value.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the String of Pearls plant is a unique and eye-catching succulent that is loved for its trailing stems adorned with small, bead-like leaves resembling pearls. It's a popular choice for indoor gardens and hanging baskets, adding a touch of whimsy and elegance to any space. With its distinct appearance and low-maintenance nature, the String of Pearls hanging plant is a delightful addition to any plant lover's collection!
Don't miss out on this opportunity to add something truly exceptional to your garden or in hanging baskets. Order your very own Senecio Rowleyanus string of pearls today!
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4.2 ★★★★★
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
A remarkable story
Format: Hardcover
What a wonderful surprise this was! I thought Remarkably Bright Creatures was a story about a woman and an octopus, but it turned out to be so much more than that. This is Shelby Van Pelt’s first book, and I don’t think a debut has affected me like this since I read Hollow Kingdom, another story that unfolds through the eyes of an animal. The story has a bit of magical realism to it, in the sense that parts of it are told from the octopus’s point of view, but otherwise it’s simply a delightful tale about family and connections that had me ugly crying by the end of the book.
In the first chapter we meet Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus on display in the Sowell Bay Aquarium near Puget Sound. Marcellus has been in captivity for 1,299 days, and based on his life expectancy of about four years, he believes he only has a handful of days left to live. His dreary days in a small glass enclosure are broken up by secret nighttime excursions, as Marcellus is extremely smart and has found a way out of his tank.
Tova Sullivan is a seventy-year-old woman who has been working nights at the aquarium as a cleaning lady for the past two years. Tova knows how to remove the hundreds of fingerprints on the tank walls and can polish the floors to a brilliant shine. She’s also quite fond of the sea creatures she encounters each night, especially Marcellus, and the two have formed an unusual bond since Tova saved Marcellus one night after he escaped and became entangled in a bunch of electrical cords.
Next, we meet Cameron Cassmore, a thirty-year-old man who is drifting through life with no real purpose. Cameron lives in California, and one day his aunt gives him a box of his estranged mother’s things. Inside the box he finds a photo and an old class ring, clues that could lead to the identity of his father, a man he never knew. Cameron hops on a plane to Washington state, convinced the man he thinks is his father—a rich real estate tycoon—will be so distraught over abandoning his son, he’ll shower Cam with money. At least that’s the plan.
Finally, Ethan Mack is the owner of Sowell Bay’s Shop-Way, the local grocery store. Ethan has known Tova for years and secretly has a crush on her, but Tova is much too distant to notice his interest. When Cameron shows up at the Shop-Way looking for a job, Ethan directs him to his friend who manages the aquarium, which is how Cameron and Tova meet.
Tying all these characters together is Marcellus, a remarkably bright octopus with a penchant for stealing and hoarding the treasures he finds after hours on the aquarium floor, and who just might be able to bring two people together who need each other—but don’t yet realize it.
Van Pelt’s chapters alternate among all these characters and introduce a slew of side characters as well, each one vitally important to the story. At first, we don’t realize how each character is connected to the next, but slowly the author reveals her secrets until the stunned reader begins to understand the depth of these connections. Each character is given a detailed backstory that becomes very important to the plot. Tova’s story in particular was heart wrenching, as she has experienced quite a bit of loss in her life and finds herself mostly alone in her twilight years. Luckily she belongs to a group of women who call themselves the Knit-Wits, and the four of them meet weekly to eat, drink, gossip and support each other. Tova came to America from Sweden as a little girl, so the story is filled with details about growing up with her Swedish mother and father. Even the Dala horses her mother collected play a part in the story, and I found these little details added so much richness.
At first I couldn’t figure out how Cameron fit it, but once he arrives in Sowell Bay and meets Ethan and Tova, his story takes on new meaning. Cameron meets a woman named Avery who also plays a vital part in filling in some of the missing pieces about Cameron’s father, and I loved the way the author gave even the most insignificant side characters meaning and purpose.
Van Pelt infuses her story with so many emotional moments and themes. We see how the Knit-Wits are going through the aging process, as their numbers have dwindled over the last few years. Tova is facing being alone in her old age, with no children or husband to take care of her, and so she makes the rash decision to sell her beloved house and move into a retirement community. I don’t want to give too many details about Tova’s past and her losses, because I think it’s better to discover those revelations for yourself. Let’s just say that I felt Tova’s pain and wanted nothing more than for her to be happy.
And Van Pelt includes so many funny moments in her story that kept the tone light, despite some of the more heavy themes. There’s an ongoing bit about Cameron’s lost luggage that was hysterically funny, and Tova inherits a stray cat at one point, which was a delightful side plot. I also loved the story about the t-shirt that Tova uses to clean Ethan’s kitchen—you’ll just have to read the book so you can experience the hilarity too!
And of course, I can’t forget the star of the story, Marcellus the octopus. As the days tick by—each of his chapters starts with a marker (“Day 1,299 of my captivity”, etc)---the tension builds as Marcellus gets closer to his impending death (at least that’s what he thinks). Marcellus understands human nature more than most humans, and I loved the way he wisely intuits each character’s needs. Ultimately, this is a story about creatures—both human and animal—saving each other. The way Marcellus’s story plays out was absolutely perfect—heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.
This is a very special book, and I’m so glad I was able to finally read it. Highly recommended!
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Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2024
★★★★★ 5
It was as good as I'd hoped.
Format: Kindle
Marcellus McSquiddles, the giant Pacific Octopus who has lived at the Sowell Bay Aquarium for going on four years, is often exasperated with the humans who stare at him all day. But there is one human who is different. She speaks to him and more importantly, she keeps his nocturnal escapes from his tank, a secret. Tova is a gentle woman, a widower and still dealing with the loss of her son, more than thirty years ago.
When someone new strolls into town, Cameron Cassmore, looking for his dead beat father, he and Tova's lives will become inextricably linked, if they're not already. And Marcellus sees all of this and does his best to assist, where he can, since for the most part, he notices that haumans can be rather dull. But though, sometimes, especially in the case of Tova, there a a few who are remarkably bright.
This was a sweet, genuine, heartfelt and beautifully written, fun read. Van Pelt has created a delightfully jaded and long-suffering, sighing character in the form of Marcellus and he and Tova's story is told in such a unique and imaginative way. I'd been meaning to read this for so long and I'm so glad I finally did.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2026
★★★★★ 4
Remarkable book
Format: Kindle
A truly moving story. I thought going it it might be a little too sugary sweet for me, but turned out to just have the right amount of of sweetness. Marcellus is truly remarkable, although he is a bit of a spoiler, revealing the bug twist way too early, which leaves to frustration while you wait for the rest of the cast to catch up. There were a couple of cliches and the ending felt a little rushed, but still it was an enjoyable read.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Format: Hardcover
emarkably Bright Creatures is one of those rare novels that effortlessly sneaks into your heart and makes itself at home. It centers on Tova Sullivan, a seventy‑year‑old widow quietly trying to fill the empty spaces left by loss, and Marcellus, a brilliantly observant giant Pacific octopus at the Sowell Bay Aquarium whose voice is as wise as it is wry. Their unlikely friendship is at once funny, tender, and deeply affecting, gently guiding the story through themes of grief, hope, aging, and connection.
The book also weaves in Cameron, a young man adrift in life, and slowly threads all three characters’ paths together into a quietly powerful emotional journey. What I loved most was how the narrative balances genuine humour and surprising warmth with profound reflections on family, forgiveness, and new beginnings — all without ever feeling forced or overly sentimental.
Shelby Van Pelt’s debut is beautifully written, full of subtle moments that stick with you long after the final page. Whether it’s Marcellus’s clever asides, Tova’s resilient heart, or the way the story reminds you that healing can come from the most unexpected places, this book is a joy to read.
Rating: ★★★★★ — a truly special read I’ll remember for a long time.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Tucker and His Southern Drawl Made Me Swoon!
Format: Kindle
I LOVE sports romances and last year I came across the Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy. I devoured The Deal, the first book in the series, and eagerly got my paws on the next books in the series as soon as I could! These books are typically classified in the New Adult and College or sports romance genres because most of the main characters are college students and several of them are usually athletes. I love Elle Kennedy's writing style in these books because she makes most of her characters likable and funny, not to mention relatable. That being said, when I saw that The Goal was being released this fall, I pre-ordered it way back in the summer and couldn't wait to dive back into the world of the Briar University athletes and their girls!
"'So money doesn't matter once you get down to it. It doesn't matter how thin or thick anyone's wallet is. We all hurt. We all love. We're the same. And your past, who you live with, where you came from, it doesn't have to matter. You're creating your own future, and I want to see where the road forward takes you.'"
Sabrina James is pre-law at Briar University who works two jobs to make ends meet and is planning on applying to Harvard Law School. She's had a bit of a crazy life, with both of her parents leaving her at a young age so she was raised by her grandmother. As a result, she has a hard time loving people and keeps her guard up with most people she meets. She has a couple of close friends but never makes time for a boyfriend, both because of her dreams of becoming a lawyer and she doesn't want to be disappointed if someone doesn't love her back.
"'You might want to get a sandwich. I'm gonna keep you in bed for a long time.'"
Sabrina is at a bar with her friends one night when she meets John Tucker, a hockey player at Briar. He's from Texas and after graduation, he plans to move back to the Lone Star State to be close to his mom and invest in a business down there. Since he was born and raised in the South, he's got the southern drawl that makes all of the girls go crazy (every time he said "darlin,'" I think my heart skipped a few beats!). He and Sabrina are attracted to each other but they agree to get together for just one night and that's it. However, Sabrina's intelligence and beauty keep Tucker wanting more while, as much as she won't admit it, Sabrina is attracted to the way Tucker genuinely cares for her and wants to be around her.
"My goal, once upon a time, was to succeed. I didn't realize that success wasn't grades or scholarships or achievements, but the people I was lucky enough to have in my life."
When I started reading The Goal, it felt a lot like the other books in the Off-Campus series. They take place at Briar University, full of good-hearted hockey players and their girlfriends, and are written in a fast-paced manner because of the hilarious dialogue between the characters. About halfway into the book, there is a dramatic turn of events which cause (I believe) a shift in the typical feel of these books. No longer was the book about college athletes and their comical antics, it was about college students who have to make real-life choices that greatly affect themselves and others. I think The Goal starts out as a typical NA book but finishes with more of a mature feel to it, given the circumstances Sabrina and Tucker now have, though there are still elements of the NA genre in the second half of the book. There were times when I wanted to shout at Sabrina and tell her to stop being so stubborn but that's just her character and in the end, she realizes what she really wants.
"Because love is the ultimate goal. It's not the one I had strived for, but I was lucky enough, so d**n lucky, to achieve it."
In summary, I loved The Goal and it made my heart happy to see how the development of the characters unfolds and what they choose to do in their lives. Those familiar with the other Off-Campus books and who are looking to read The Goal may just want a bit of advanced warning that this book isn't exactly written in the same style. The first half is similar to the other books but the second half is a bit more serious and mature as the characters deal with some serious life events. Personally, I loved it but I also love books about love and family so The Goal satisfied my desires to read about college life, sports, as well as family. This book can be read as a standalone but I feel you will get more out of it if you read the other books first. I was also bummed to see that this is the last book in the series BUT there will be a spinoff for anyone, like me, who is eager for more! I loved The Goal and recommend reading it, especially if you have read and enjoyed the other books; just know that the second half has a different feel, even though I think it ends on a good note and the series is wrapped up nicely.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2016