Curio rowleyanus
Also known as: String of pearls
String of pearls: trailing stems strung with perfect green beads, each with a translucent 'window' stripe that lets light into the leaf interior. It belongs to the Curio genus, comes from South Africa (Cape Province), stays around Trails 30–90 cm, and tolerates USDA 10–12; protect below 10 °C. Individual plants vary, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee.
Key facts
- Genus: Curio
- Origin: South Africa (Cape Province)
- Mature size: Trails 30–90 cm
- Hardiness: USDA 10–12; protect below 10 °C
- Toxicity: Mildly toxic if eaten
Succulent at a glance
- Genus
- Curio
- Origin
- South Africa (Cape Province)
- Mature size
- Trails 30–90 cm
- Growth habit
- Trailing stems with spherical bead leaves
- Leaf colour
- Green beads with translucent window stripes
- Flower colour
- White brushes with red anthers
- Hardiness
- USDA 10–12; protect below 10 °C
- Toxicity
- Mildly toxic if eaten
- Other names
- String of pearls
About the Curio rowleyanus
String of pearls: trailing stems strung with perfect green beads, each with a translucent 'window' stripe that lets light into the leaf interior. A hanging-basket icon that demands bright indirect light and careful, shallow watering.
Care and cultivation
String-of succulents have thin stems and small water-storing leaves, so they want lighter watering more often than rosette succulents — but still only when the soil is dry. Grow in a shallow, very gritty mix in bright indirect light, water until it drains, then wait. Shriveled beads mean thirsty; mushy beads near the soil mean rot. Light: Bright indirect with a little direct sun. Water: Light, infrequent watering; beads/shapes rot if kept wet. Use a Very gritty, fast-draining mix in a shallow pot.
Description
Curio rowleyanus is a Curio succulent from South Africa (Cape Province). String of pearls: trailing stems strung with perfect green beads, each with a translucent 'window' stripe that lets light into the leaf interior. A hanging-basket icon that demands bright indirect light and careful, shallow watering.
Identification
Look for: Green beads with translucent window stripes leaves in a Trails 30–90 cm form. Also answers to String of pearls. The genus is Curio, which already narrows down the care requirements considerably. Nickname: 'String of pearls'.
Common problems
Bead shrivelling from underwatering • Rot from overwatering — the #1 killer • Bare stems near the pot when light is uneven
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water my Curio rowleyanus?
Light, infrequent watering; beads/shapes rot if kept wet. Always let the soil dry completely between waterings, and water less in winter when growth slows.
How much light does Curio rowleyanus need?
Bright indirect with a little direct sun. If the plant stretches or loses colour, it needs more light.
Related succulents
Succulent information on this page is based on the Wikipedia article on the Curio rowleyanus, supplemented with additional research. Reviewed for accuracy.