Senecio herreianus

Common Names

String Of Beads, String Of Tears, String Of Watermelons, String Of Pearls, String Of Raindrops, String Of Teardrops, Gooseberry Plant

Summary

String of Tears is a trailing evergreen succulent native to arid regions of South Africa and Namibia, with low-lying creeping stems and tear-shaped leaves that carry translucent windows along their length; stems range in color from green to purple, with deeper purple in bright light, and it may produce small white flowers with a cinnamon-like fragrance.

It prefers well-draining cactus/succulent or sandy loam soil and bright, indirect light, is drought-tolerant, and should be watered only after the soil dries to prevent root rot; regular pruning helps maintain fullness, and propagation from stem cuttings is common; it is frost-sensitive and best kept in warm conditions, commonly used in hanging baskets or trailing displays indoors or outdoors, with mild toxicity to humans and pets and potential pests such as mealybugs and spider mites.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-3 feet

Spread

1-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 9-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial sun.

Soil Type

Well-draining cactus/succulent soil mix; dry, loamy/sandy/gravelly soil; pH 5.5–7.0.

Soil Drainage

Well-draining soil; dry, loamy/sandy/gravelly mix with a pH of 5.5–7

Soil pH

5.5-7.0 (neutral to slightly acidic)

Bloom Color

White, cream-colored, and occasional pale pink

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green to purple

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Fast-growing; grows profusely and can fill a 25 cm pot in 1–2 years

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Stem cuttings, Leaf cuttings, Offsets

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and other pollinators