String of Pearls

Curio rowleyanus (formerly Senecio rowleyanus), the string-of-pearls, is a succulent perennial in the family Asteraceae, native to South Africa. Its trailing stems carry small, spherical, bead-like leaves — an evolutionary adaptation that reduces surface area to minimise water loss in arid conditions. It prefers bright light but should be kept slightly away from intense direct sunlight to prevent scorching. As a succulent, it follows a 'dry then water' regime: allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. Overwatering, particularly in hot humid summers, leads to rapid stem rot. Trailing stems extend 30–100 cm, making it ideally displayed in hanging baskets or trailing from shelves. Its pearl necklace appearance makes it one of the most distinctive and fashionable houseplants available.

Moderate watering