Senecio rowleyanus
A drought-tolerant trailing succulent with bead-like, water-storing leaves that form a necklace-like cascade, ideal for hanging baskets in bright indirect light with well-draining soil and infrequent watering.
Common Names
String of Pearls, String of Beads, Rosary Vine, Irish Beads, Bead Plant, Necklace Plant, Rosary Pearls, String of Peas, String of Marbles, Green Peas
Summary
String of Pearls is a trailing succulent native to southern Africa, with bead-like spherical leaves along slender stems that form cascading displays and store water for drought tolerance; its decorative beads and occasional small white flowers with a cinnamon-scented aroma are distinctive features.
Grow in bright indirect light on well-draining cactus/succulent soil, with water only when the soil dries to prevent root rot; outdoors in hardiness zones 9–12 and indoors elsewhere in bright conditions; not frost-tolerant; trailing stems reach 2–3 ft, making it ideal for hanging baskets or containers; propagate easily from stem cuttings.
Lifecycle
Perennial; in cold climates grown as an annual.
Height
2-3 feet
Spread
1-3 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 9-12
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-draining cactus/succulent soil
Soil Drainage
Well-draining soil, cactus/succulent mix (often with sand, pumice, or perlite) or potting soil amended with sand or grit, avoid heavy clay soils.
Soil pH
6.0-7.5
Bloom Color
White
Bloom Time
Summer
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen broadleaf
Growth Rate
Fast growth
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees and butterflies
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- H.Jacobsen
- Publication
- Natl. Cact. Succ. J. 23(2): 30 (1968)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Asterales
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Subfamily
- Asteroideae
- Tribe
- Senecioneae
- Genus
- Senecio