Plant guides / String of pearls
Variegated string of pearls guide
Curio rowleyanus variegated, also called Senecio rowleyanus 'Variegata', variegated string of beads
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 variegated string of pearls different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the string of pearls care guide.
What it is
Variegated string of pearls has the same round, bead-like leaves as the green kind, splashed with cream. In bright light, the cream blushes pink. Each pearl is a little different. It grows slower than the green kind.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| Variegated string of pearls | Round beads with cream and pink | Cream splashes on the beads |
| String of pearls | Round green beads | All green |
| String of bananas | Curved, banana-shaped | Long, curved beads |
Care differences
The cream parts cannot make food, so it needs bright light, more than the green kind. A few hours of gentle morning sun bring out the pink. It grows slower and rots faster in wet soil. Let the soil dry almost all the way.
Reverting
Cut out strands that grow all green. They grow faster and crowd out the variegated strands.
Grow it from a cutting
Lay a strand on top of dry cactus mix, pressing the stem into the soil. Roots grow where it touches. Give it a small drink after a week.
Buying it
Variegated string of pearls is sold at plant shops and online. Look for plump beads with cream and pink. Pure cream strands are weak.