LIGHT

• Requires bright light, including direct sun, to maintain compact growth and prevent stretching.
• Place in a South or West-facing window.
• Insufficient light causes the spaces between the "beads" to grow too far apart (stretching/etiolation).
• Too much harsh, direct summer sun can cause sun scorch.

WATER

• Highly drought-tolerant. Allow the soil to dry out completely and remain dry for a period before watering.
• The leaves (beads, hearts) will often look slightly wrinkled or deflated when thirsty.
• Overwatering is the fastest way to kill the plant, causing the beads/hearts to split or turn brown/mushy.
• Reduce watering drastically in the winter dormancy.

SOIL

• Needs an extremely fast-draining, gritty soil mix.
• Use a mix formulated for cacti and succulents, with a high percentage of pumice or perlite.

GROWTH HABIT

• Ideal conditions: Full sun, warm temperatures (65-80F), and low humidity.
• Growth rate & size: Growth rate is moderate to fast as a trailing vine, easily reaching several feet in length.

PROPAGATING

• Propagates easily from stem cuttings or by laying the stems on top of soil (layering).
• Cuttings can be rooted in water, but rooting in moist succulent soil or perlite is often faster.
• For layering, coil a stem on top of moist soil and cover some nodes lightly; roots will form easily.

PRUNING

• Pruning is essential to keep the top of the pot full.
• Cut the longest strings to control length and use the cuttings to replant on top of the soil for a denser appearance.
• Remove any shriveled, dead, or mushy segments.

REPOTTING

• Repot when the plant is root-bound, typically every 2-3 years.
• Repot in spring or early summer.
• Use a shallow pot that is only slightly larger than the current one to prevent excess soil and overwatering.

FERTILIZING

• Feed very lightly during the spring and summer growing season (once a month).
• Use a liquid fertilizer formulated for succulents diluted to half strength or less.
• Do not fertilize in fall or winter.

FLOWERING

• Produces small, white, inconspicuous flowers on thin stalks.
• String of Pearls flowers have a cinnamon-like fragrance.

TOXICITY

• String of Pearls (Curio rowleyanus) is Toxic to humans and pets, causing mild nausea and skin irritation.
• String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii) is Non-toxic. Always confirm the exact species.

PRO TIPS

• Watering from the bottom helps the shallow roots absorb water without wetting the stems at the soil surface, preventing rot.
• The top of the pot needs light exposure; if it is too sparse, coil a few strings on top of the soil to encourage roots and fill the space.