Why are my pearls shriveling?

This usually indicates the plant is thirsty or the roots have been damaged by overwatering.

How much light does it need?

It prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its compact growth habit.

Plant guide

String of pearls.

Curio rowleyanus

Pronounced KYOO-ree-oh roh-lee-AY-nus

Also known as String-Of-Beads Senecio, String-of-Pearls, string-of-beads

String-of-beads — Photo by Carlos Domínguez-Rodríguez (CC BY) via iNaturalist

String of pearls is a charming succulent known for its trailing stems covered in bead like leaves. It looks wonderful in a hanging basket where its vines can cascade freely. This plant is a bit of a diva, so it needs just the right touch to thrive.

Another photo of String of pearls — Photo by Tony Rebelo (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Bright indirect light with some morning sun.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 14 to 21 days
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet long
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 12
Bloom time: Late summer to early autumn

Care

Always let the soil dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Watch for shriveled pearls, which signal the plant is thirsty, or mushy stems, which mean it has had too much water. Give it plenty of bright light to keep the stems from getting leggy.

Watering: Water only when the soil is bone dry throughout the pot.
Feeding: Feed lightly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long stems to encourage fuller growth and bushiness.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root bound, using a shallow container.
Soil: Well draining cactus or succulent mix.
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 10 to 27°C
Humidity: 20 to 40%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years with proper care.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth

Safety

People: All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested and may cause skin irritation upon contact.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children as the small, bead like leaves are a choking hazard and toxic if swallowed.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no known significant respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is toxic if ingested and should never be consumed by humans or pets.

How to identify it

Spherical pea shaped green leaves
Thin trailing stems
Small white daisy like flowers
Translucent windows on leaves

Height: 0.05 to 0.15m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.9m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: white, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
EdemaUncommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
Leaf DropUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Bring the plant indoors before the first frost. Reduce watering significantly during the winter months to allow for a dormant period.
In containers: It is excellent for hanging baskets or shallow pots that allow the stems to trail gracefully.

Stem cuttings

1. Snip a 5 to 10 cm stem segment.
2. Remove the lowest pearls to expose the stem.
3. Lay the stem on top of moist, well draining soil.
4. Keep the soil lightly damp until roots form.

Group plants with identical water needs to prevent accidental overwatering of your succulent.

Grows well with

Echeveria · They share similar light and water requirements for a cohesive succulent display.
Haworthia · These plants thrive in the same low moisture conditions and indirect light.

Similar species

String of bananas · It has a similar trailing habit but features elongated, banana shaped leaves.
String of tears · This species has teardrop shaped leaves and a more upright growth pattern.

Science

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Curio
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southwest Africa
Conservation: This species is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in its native range.

It grows as a ground cover in rocky, shaded areas where it avoids direct, scorching sun.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: hanging baskets, indoor decor, succulent collections

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my pearls shriveling?: This usually indicates the plant is thirsty or the roots have been damaged by overwatering.
How much light does it need?: It prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its compact growth habit.

Where the name comes from

The specific epithet rowleyanus honors the British botanist Gordon Douglas Rowley, who specialized in succulents.

Good to know

String of pearls is a trailing succulent that forms dense mats in its natural environment.
The tiny white flowers have a pleasant scent often described as smelling like cinnamon.
Each leaf has a small translucent window that allows light to enter the interior for photosynthesis.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.