Buy Senecio - String of Pearls

String of Pearls – Australia's Favourite Trailing Succulent

String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is one of the world's most recognisable trailing succulents, admired for its long cascading vines covered with perfectly rounded, bead-like leaves. Native to the dry regions of southwest Africa, this unique succulent stores water inside each leaf, allowing it to thrive in warm, dry conditions with very little maintenance.

Its elegant trailing habit makes it a favourite for hanging baskets, floating shelves, macramé plant hangers, and decorative indoor pots. As the vines mature, they can cascade well over a metre in length, creating a dramatic waterfall of vibrant green pearls that instantly becomes the focal point of any room or outdoor entertaining area.

One of the most fascinating features of String of Pearls is the narrow translucent stripe found on every leaf. Often called a "leaf window", this natural adaptation allows sunlight to reach the inner tissues of the leaf while reducing moisture loss, helping the plant survive in harsh desert environments.

During the growing season, mature plants may reward you with clusters of small white flowers that release a delicate cinnamon-like fragrance. Combined with its unusual foliage and graceful trailing habit, this makes String of Pearls a favourite among succulent collectors, interior designers, and beginner plant lovers alike.

Why You'll Love It

• Iconic bead-shaped succulent foliage
• Long trailing vines perfect for hanging baskets
• Unique translucent leaf windows for efficient water storage
• Produces fragrant white flowers on mature plants
• Low-maintenance and drought tolerant
• Easy to propagate from stem cuttings
• Ideal for modern indoor décor and succulent displays
• One of the most popular trailing houseplants

Plant Details

Botanical Name: Senecio rowleyanus

Common Name: String of Pearls

Plant Type: Trailing succulent

Family: Asteraceae

Pot Size: 130mm

Growth Habit: Cascading, trailing

Growth Rate: Moderate to fast

Mature Length: Vines can exceed 1 metre under ideal conditions

Foliage: Round, bead-like succulent leaves

Care Guide

Light

Prefers bright, indirect light with several hours of gentle morning sun. Avoid prolonged harsh afternoon sun, especially during summer.

Watering

Allow the soil to dry completely before watering thoroughly. Overwatering is the most common cause of problems, so always ensure excellent drainage.

Soil

Use a free-draining cactus or succulent mix. A gritty potting mix helps keep the roots healthy and prevents excess moisture.

Temperature

Thrives in warm conditions and should be protected from frost and extended periods of cold weather.

Feeding

Apply a diluted succulent fertiliser during spring and summer to encourage healthy vines and steady growth.

Perfect For

• Hanging baskets
• Indoor plant shelves
• Macramé plant hangers
• Decorative pots
• Bright windowsills
• Succulent collections
• Apartments
• Office spaces
• Contemporary interiors
• Gift plants

Good to Know

String of Pearls is often compared with other popular trailing succulents such as String of Bananas, String of Dolphins, and String of Hearts. While it has a slightly slower growth rate than String of Bananas, its perfectly spherical foliage gives it a unique appearance that has made it one of the most sought-after hanging succulents worldwide.

Healthy vines can be easily propagated from stem cuttings, allowing new roots to develop wherever the stems touch the soil. This makes it simple to create fuller pots or grow additional plants to share with family and friends.

The succulent plant is supplied in a 130mm nursery pot. Images are representative of what you will receive; however, every plant is naturally unique and may vary slightly in size, shape, colour, and fullness.