String Succulents Overview: From String of Pearls to String of Dolphins

Hanging succulents – affectionately called "strings" – are among the most sought-after houseplants there are. It's no wonder: their pearl-, heart-, or dolphin-shaped leaves on long, trailing stems look like living jewelry. In this post we introduce every string succulent in our range – from the classic String of Pearls to the playful String of Dolphins and the rare String of Watermelon. Every variety is available from us as an affordable cutting or as a rooted plant.

Table of Contents

• What are string succulents?
• Senecio rowleyanus – String of Pearls
• Senecio rowleyanus Variegated – the variegated rarity
• Senecio peregrinus – String of Dolphins
• Senecio radicans – String of Bananas
• Senecio herreianus – String of Teardrops
• Senecio herreianus 'String of Watermelon' – the rarity
• Ceropegia woodii Variegata – String of Hearts
• Othonna capensis 'Ruby Necklace' – Little Pickles
• All strings compared
• Care: how your string succulents thrive
• Propagation from cuttings
• Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What are string succulents?

"Strings" is the umbrella term for trailing succulents with bead-like stems. Most belong to the genus Senecio (ragwort) and are native to the arid regions of South Africa. Their round, teardrop-, or heart-shaped leaves are tiny water reservoirs – which is why the plants can go without watering for weeks at a time.

As hanging plants, strings are unbeatable: over the years the stems can grow a meter or longer, forming dense, green curtains. At the same time they're undemanding, need little floor space, and are effortlessly easy to propagate from cuttings.

Senecio rowleyanus – String of Pearls

The classic and our best-selling string: String of Pearls carries round, pea-sized leaves strung like beads along thin stems – hence the name. With good care the stems grow quickly, forming a lush green curtain of pearls over time. A must-have for any succulent collection.

Price: €5.00 for 2 cuttings (approx. 6–8 cm long)

🟢 View String of Pearls in the shop

Senecio rowleyanus Variegated – the variegated rarity

The variegated String of Pearls takes it a step further: its pearls are marbled green and white, and young stems even shimmer pink in bright light. Variegated strings are in high demand and considerably rarer than the plain green form – a real collector's item for anyone seeking something special.

Price: from €6.50 as a cutting, from €14.50 as a plant in a 5.5 cm pot

🤍 View Variegated String of Pearls in the shop

Senecio peregrinus – String of Dolphins

Look closely: every leaf of the String of Dolphins looks like a tiny leaping dolphin! This hybrid of String of Pearls and ivy-leaved ragwort is one of the most charming succulents around and regularly sells out fast. The dolphin shape stays best defined when the plant gets plenty of light.

Price: from €6.50 for 2 cuttings (at least 8 cm), from €9.50 in a 5.5 cm pot

🐬 View String of Dolphins in the shop

Senecio radicans – String of Bananas

String of Bananas carries curved, banana-shaped leaves on fast-growing stems. It's considered the toughest and most vigorous of the strings – perfect for beginners who want a full curtain of leaves quickly. It also forgives watering mistakes far more readily than String of Pearls.

Price: from €5.00 for 2 cuttings (at least 5 cm), from €12.00 in a 5.5 cm pot

🍌 View String of Bananas in the shop

Senecio herreianus – String of Teardrops

String of Teardrops is the elegant sister of String of Pearls: its leaves are oval and teardrop-shaped rather than round, showing fine, translucent stripes – tiny "light windows" through which the plant photosynthesizes even inside the leaf. A fascinating detail you discover on closer inspection.

Price: €4.00 for 2 cuttings (at least 8 cm) – our most affordable string!

💧 View String of Teardrops in the shop

Senecio herreianus 'String of Watermelon' – the rarity

The name says it all: the thick, oval leaves of 'String of Watermelon' recall tiny watermelons with their dark striped markings. This selection is hard to find in stores – anyone looking to add a genuine rarity to their string collection should grab it while it's available.

Price: from €5.50 as a cutting (at least 5 cm), from €13.00 in a 5.5 cm pot

🍉 View String of Watermelon in the shop

Ceropegia woodii Variegata – String of Hearts

The rosary vine is the most romantic string of them all: paper-thin, purple stems carry heart-shaped leaves with a silvery marbling – and in the variegated form, additional cream-white and pink edges. In bright light the leaf edges turn an intense pink. A beautiful gift, and not just for Valentine's Day.

Price: from €8.00 as a cutting, from €11.00 as a rooted plant

💗 View String of Hearts in the shop

Othonna capensis 'Ruby Necklace' – Little Pickles

'Ruby Necklace' lives up to its name: ruby-red stems carry elongated, cucumber-shaped leaves (hence the nickname Little Pickles), which turn fully deep purple-red under plenty of sun and a little stress. As a bonus, it produces small yellow flowers almost year-round – the only one of our strings that blooms so readily.

Price: from €4.50 as a cutting (at least 5 cm), from €10.00 as a plant

🔴 View Ruby Necklace in the shop

All strings compared

Care: how your string succulents thrive

Location & light

Strings need plenty of light – significantly more than typical foliage plants. A very bright spot right at a window (south, east, or west facing) is ideal; acclimate gradually to intense midday sun. In low light, the gaps between the pearls grow longer and the stems become thin. In winter, a grow light helps maintain compact growth.

Watering

The golden succulent rule applies here: better too little than too much. Let the substrate dry out completely between waterings, then water thoroughly. Shriveled pearls are a sign of thirst – mushy, yellowish pearls, on the other hand, are a warning sign of too much water. In winter, watering roughly every 4–6 weeks is enough.

Substrate

Be sure to use a mineral, well-draining succulent substrate – ordinary potting soil retains too much moisture and quickly leads to root rot. Our ready-made substrate mixes are perfectly suited to succulents' needs.

Fertilizing & overwintering

From spring to late summer, a weak dose of succulent or cactus fertilizer every 4–6 weeks is enough. In winter, keep plants bright and cooler (10–15 °C) and cut back watering significantly – this keeps them healthy and compact.

Propagation from cuttings

All string succulents propagate wonderfully from stem cuttings – that's why we prefer to offer them as affordable cuttings, too:

1. Cut a stem: Choose a healthy stem section at least 5–8 cm long.
2. Let it callus: Let the cut end air-dry for 1–2 days – this prevents rot.
3. Lay down or plant: Either lay the cutting flat on lightly moist substrate (roots form at the leaf nodes) or strip the leaves from the bottom 2 cm and insert it.
4. Patience: After 2–4 weeks the cuttings will have rooted. Only water normally from that point on.

Pro tip: Simply lay long stems from an existing plant back over the top of the pot – they'll root at the contact points and fill the plant back in nicely from above.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Why are the pearls on my String of Pearls shriveling?

Shriveled pearls almost always mean the plant is thirsty – water thoroughly once, and they'll plump back up. If they stay shriveled despite watering, the roots may have been damaged by earlier waterlogging.

Are string succulents toxic to pets?

Yes, Senecio species and Ceropegia can cause discomfort in cats and dogs. As hanging plants, they're ideally kept out of reach anyway.

How fast do strings grow?

Very quickly with plenty of light: String of Bananas and Ruby Necklace easily manage 30 cm or more in a single season. String of Pearls and String of Hearts grow a bit more slowly, but all the denser for it.

Cutting or rooted plant – which is better?

Cuttings are cheaper and root reliably in strings – ideal for collecting several varieties. The rooted plant in a 5.5 cm pot is instantly decorative and the more convenient choice for getting started.

Why is my String of Pearls going bare at the bottom?

Usually it's a lack of light right at the pot: the upper stems shade the base. A brighter location and the pro tip from the propagation section – laying stems back over the pot and letting them root – help fix this.

Ready for your own curtain of pearls?
All our string succulents are lovingly and securely packaged – during the cold season with a heat pack on request. We ship free within Germany from €50, and EU-wide from €100!

🌿 Discover all strings in the shop