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Care at a Glance

⭐ Difficulty: Moderate
☀️ Light: Bright indirect to direct
💧 Water: Every 2–3 weeks
🌡️ Temp: 55–80°F
🐾 Pet Safe: No ⚠️
🌫️ Humidity: Low (30–40%)

String of Pearls Care Guide

Curio rowleyanus

By Learn Plant Care·Toxicity verified via ASPCA
String of Pearls (Curio rowleyanus)
String of Pearls (Curio rowleyanus)

Quick Answer

String of Pearls needs watering every 2–3 weeks in summer and every 3–6 weeks in winter. It thrives in bright indirect to direct and temperatures of 5580°F. Difficulty: Moderate. ⚠️ Toxic to pets — keep away from cats and dogs.

Difficulty

Moderate

☀️Light

Bright indirect to direct

💧Watering

Every 2–3 weeks

🌫️Humidity

Low (30–40%)

🌡️Temperature

55–80°F

📈Growth Rate

Moderate

Toxicity

⚠️ Toxic to Cats⚠️ Toxic to Dogs Safe for Humans

Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control

Watering

Summer

Every 2–3 weeks

Winter

Every 3–6 weeks

Method: Allow to dry completely; drought tolerant

Light Requirements

Bright indirect to direct

Needs bright light — south or west window.

Soil & Potting

Soil: Succulent/cactus mix; very fast draining

Pot: Small pot with drainage; hanging basket

Temperature & Humidity

Temperature: 5580°F (1327°C)

Humidity: Low (30–40%)

Fertilizing

Frequency: Once in spring

Type: Diluted succulent fertilizer, half strength

Common Problems

Shriveled pearls → Underwatering. Water deeply.

Mushy pearls → Overwatering or root rot. Let dry out and repot.

Flat/deflated pearls → Needs more water.

Leggy, sparse growth → Insufficient light.

Propagation

Stem cuttings laid on soil or in water

Seasonal Care Calendar

🌸 Spring

Resume more regular watering as daylight increases. Fertilize once.

☀️ Summer

Brightest growth period. Water every 2 weeks. Can set outdoors in bright indirect light.

🍂 Fall

Reduce watering frequency. Protect from cold as temps drop.

❄️ Winter

Water very infrequently (every 4–6 weeks). Keep in brightest window. No fertilizer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I water string of pearls?
Every 2–3 weeks in summer, 3–6 weeks in winter. Soil must dry completely between waterings.
Why are my string of pearls shriveling?
Flat or shriveled pearls mean underwatering. Water deeply and the pearls will plump up within a day.
Why are my string of pearls mushy?
Overwatering or root rot. Remove affected stems, let dry out, and repot in fresh cactus mix.
Does string of pearls need direct sunlight?
Yes — it needs bright light, ideally 4–6 hours of direct or very bright indirect light.
How do I propagate string of pearls?
Lay stem cuttings on top of moist cactus mix. Mist lightly. Roots develop in 2–3 weeks.