Plant guides / String of pearls
String of dolphins guide
Curio × peregrinus, also called Senecio peregrinus, dolphin plant, flying dolphins
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- When the soil is dry almost all the way down
- Humidity
- Dry room air is fine
- Temperature
- 16 to 27°C (60 to 80°F). Keep above 10°C (50°F).
- Soil
- Cactus and succulent mix
- Feeding
- Half-strength fertilizer two or three times in spring and summer
- Pets
- Toxic to cats and dogs. Causes vomiting and lethargy.
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Mature size
- Strands trail 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 ft)
- Propagation
- Lay strand cuttings on top of dry soil
- Where to buy
- Plant shops
This page covers what makes string of dolphins different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the string of pearls care guide.
What it is
String of dolphins is a trailing succulent whose curved leaves look like tiny jumping dolphins, each with two little fins. It is a hybrid, Curio × peregrinus, a cross of string of pearls and candle plant. The leaves are blue-green.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| String of dolphins | Curved, with two fins | Two small fins on each leaf |
| String of bananas | Curved, smooth | No fins |
| String of pearls | Round beads | Round, not curved |
Care differences
The fins show best in bright light. In low light, the leaves stretch and lose their dolphin shape. It grows slower than string of bananas and rots in soggy soil.
Grow it from a cutting
Cut a strand with several leaves. Let it dry for a day, then lay it on dry cactus mix. Roots form in two to four weeks.
Pet safety
Like its parents, it is toxic to cats and dogs.
Buying it
String of dolphins is sold at plant shops and some garden centers. Look for leaves with clear fins. Long gaps between leaves mean low light.