Senecio rowleyanus - String of Pearls
Senecio rowleyanus
The String of Pearls
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Senecio
Species: Rowleyanus
Cultivars: Normal, Variegated
Common names: String of Pearls
Difficulty: Low
Description: This succulent is a trailing plant with strands of vines and leaves that are shaped like pearls. The Variegated form has white lines that marble the vine. It has beautiful pink flowers when grown with enough light.
Size: Vines grow up to 3 feet long. The pearls will not grow larger than the size of pea.
Light: Bright light. The more the better. A south or west facing window is preferred if not grown under grow lights.
Water: Very forgiving with drought. Water deeply only when the soil has fully dried. This plant can get root rot if watered too frequently. If the pearls become soft or seem dehydrated and wilted, this is actually a sign of overwatering. If the pearls seem to disintegrate this is a sign of underwatering. The pearls should feel firm to the touch.
Temperature: Ideal between 65-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid temperatures below 40 degrees.
Humidity: Ambient home humidity is fine for this plant. It will not be bothered by dry air.
Soil: A rich quick draining mix that doesn’t retain water too long is ideal. We use 2-parts coco coir, 1-part bark, 1-part coarse perlite, 1 part sand.
Nutrition: This plant should be fed with a balanced fertilizer at half recommended dose on a monthly basis. If using grow lights, fertilize year-round. If using only natural light, fertilize from May to September.
Repotting: Only repot when the roots are coming out of drainage holes. Move up only 1 pot size when transplanting. This plant requires drainage holes in all planters. Do not fertilize for at least 2 weeks after transplanting. Water the plant in after transplant and immediately resume allowing it to dry completely between waterings.
Native to: Cape Province, South Africa.
Toxicity: Toxic to humans, dogs and cats. Contact with the sap can cause skin irritation and stomach upset. Poisonous to humans, dogs, and cats. If ingested, symptoms include vomiting diarrhea, vomiting, stomach upset, depression, aggression, hiding, excessive sleep, hypersalivation. If ingested contact poison control immediately.
Companion animals: Do to the toxicity profile of this plant it is inappropriate for all animal habitats.
Ceropegia linearis - String of Hearts
Ceropegia linearis 'woodii'
The String of Hearts
Family: Ceropegia
Genus: Ceropegia
Species: Linearis
Subspecies: Woodii
Common names: String of Hearts
Cultivars: Normal, Variegated
Difficulty: Low
Description: This succulent is a trailing plant with strands of vines and leaves that are shaped like hearts. The Variegated form boasts showy baby pink variegation that is stable.
Mature Size: Up to 10 ft long and 12" wide
Light: Bright light. The more the better. Can give hues of red and pink when exposed to direct sunlight.
Water: Very forgiving with drought. Water deeply only when the soil has fully dried. This plant can get root rot if watered too frequently.
Temperature: Ideal between 65-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid temperatures below 40 degrees.
Humidity: Ambient home humidity is fine for this plant. It will not be bothered by dry air.
Soil: A rich quick draining mix that doesn’t retain water too long is ideal. We use 2-parts coco coir, 1-part bark, 1 part coarse perlite, 1 part sand.
Nutrition: This plant should be fed with a balanced fertilizer at half recommended dose on a monthly basis. If using grow lights, fertilize year-round. If using only natural light, fertilize from May to September.
Repotting: Only repot when the roots are coming out of drainage holes. Move up only 1 pot size when transplanting. This plant requires drainage holes in all planters. Do not fertilize for at least 2 weeks after transplanting. Water the plant in after transplant and immediately resume allowing to dry completely between waterings.
Toxicity: Non-toxic, non-poisonous to humans, dogs, and cats. Although we never recommend allowing people or pets to eat houseplants.
Native to: Southern Africa
Companion Animals: None - due to the long vining nature and easily breakable leaves this plant is not suitable for animal habitats.
Senecio hippogriff - String of Dolphins
Senecio hippogriff
The String of Dolphins
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Senecio
Species: Hippogriff or a hybrid of Curio x Peregrinus
Cultivars: Normal, Variegated
Common names: String of Dolphins
Difficulty: Low
Description: This succulent is a trailing plant with strands of vines and leaves that are shaped like dolphins. The Variegated form has white lines that marble the vine. It is a man-made hybrid grown for the unique leaf shape.
Size: Vines grow up to 3 feet long.
Light: Bright light. The more the better. A south or west facing window is preferred if not grown under grow lights.
Water: Very forgiving with drought. Water deeply only when the soil has fully dried. This plant can get root rot if watered too frequently. If the dolphins become soft or seem dehydrated and wilty, this is actually a sign of overwatering. If the dolphins seem to disintegrate this is a sign of underwatering. The dolphins should feel firm to the touch.
Temperature: Ideal between 65-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid temperatures below 40 degrees.
Humidity: Ambient home humidity is fine for this plant. It will not be bothered by dry air.
Soil: A rich quick draining mix that doesn’t retain water too long is ideal. We use 2-parts coco coir, 1-part bark, 1-part coarse perlite, 1 part sand.
Nutrition: This plant should be fed with a balanced fertilizer at half recommended dose on a monthly basis. If using grow lights, fertilize year-round. If using only natural light, fertilize from May to September.
Repotting: Only repot when the roots are coming out of drainage holes. Move up only 1 pot size when transplanting. This plant requires drainage holes in all planters. Do not fertilize for at least 2 weeks after transplanting. Water the plant in after transplant and immediately resume allowing it to dry completely between waterings.
Native to: Both species of this hybrid come from South Africa. This plant is man made and originates to a grower in South Korea.
Toxicity: Toxic to humans, dogs and cats. Contact with the sap can cause skin irritation and stomach upset. Poisonous to humans, dogs, and cats. If ingested, symptoms include vomiting diarrhea, vomiting, stomach upset. If enough is ingested it can cause liver failure.
Companion animals: Do to the toxicity profile of this plant it is inappropriate for all animal habitats.
Peperomia Prostrata - String of Turtles
Peperomia prostrata
The String of Turtles
Family: Piperaceae
Genus: Peperomia
Species: Prostrata
Cultivars: Normal, Variegated
Common names: String of Turtles
Difficulty: Low
Description: This succulent is a trailing plant with strands of vines and leaves that are shaped and patterned like turtles. The Variegated form has white lines that marble the vine. It is a man made hybrid grown for the unique leaf shape.
Size: Vines grow up to 3 feet long.
Light: Bright light. The more the better. A south or west facing window is preferred if not grown under grow lights.
Water: Very forgiving with drought. Water deeply only when the soil has fully dried. This plant can get root rot if watered too frequently. We recommend the “Taco Test” where you try to fold a leaf. If it is ridged, it does not need watering. If the leaf folds easily into a taco shape, it is time to deeply water.
Temperature: Ideal between 65-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid temperatures below 40 degrees.
Humidity: Ambient home humidity is fine for this plant. It will not be bothered by dry air.
Soil: A rich quick draining mix that doesn’t retain water too long is ideal. We use 2-parts coco coir, 1-part bark, 1-part coarse perlite, 1 part sand.
Nutrition: This plant should be fed with a balanced fertilizer at half recommended dose on a monthly basis. If using grow lights, fertilize year-round. If using only natural light, fertilize from May to September.
Repotting: Only repot when the roots are coming out of drainage holes. Move up only 1 pot size when transplanting. This plant requires drainage holes in all planters. Do not fertilize for at least 2 weeks after transplanting. Water the plant in after transplant and immediately resume allowing it to dry completely between waterings.
Native to: Amazon rainforest.
Toxicity: There is lots of contradictory information about this plant. It is best to assume that it is not safe, although many sources will say it is non-toxic and non-poisonous. There are easily as many other sources saying varying levels of toxicity.
Companion animals: Due to the toxicity profile of this plant it is inappropriate for all animal habitats.