PlantFiles: String of Beads, String of Pearls
Senecio rowleyanus

I've never had luck growing this plant until now, but I've not had the plant long, so we'll see how things go this time around. It's a fun plant that I've found appreciates morning sun (only) here in zone 9b. To me, the flowers look like tiny bridal bouquets and smell like cloves - cute and delightful. Unfortunately the evil aphids and mealybugs also adore this plant!

Love this plant but have alot of trouble keeping it alive. Thought originally that once strands got so long the weight would compress the stem and that is why it would die but just had one that I carefully kept strings horizontal and it still died at pot level. Perhaps someone could enlighten me as to what I am doing wrong. Will continue to buy this plant because I love it so much but it is getting a bit depressing when it starts dying. I would also love to get the varigated plant. Didn't even know one existed.

This plant first appeared commonly in nurseries in southern California around the late 1960s-early 1970s and became very popular as an outdoor hanging pot plant. After some years the plants started to die out, perhaps by a disease. I tried it again years ago in northern California and had the same problem.

I've been propagating String of Beads/String of Pearls, or as I like to call it, "the green pea plant," for 35 years. I've given pots of this senecio to many friend and sometimes sell them at my local street fair.

I grow this delight on a sunny windowsill in Manhattan. When I'm in the right mood, I clip small strands with a good growing point and several nodules and tuck the nodules into fresh pot of soil. It's important that the strand has several nodules because the nodules are the potential roots. I water when the soil is dry.

I have a great fondness for this plant; I had one years ago for several years, and loved its charm. I planted it in a queen conch shell, the "pearls" tumbling out the flat side, because of the pearl-appearinging leaves; it seemed appropriate and added to the charm. It only bore one blossom, and I never experienced the scent; but I look forward to buying another, thanks to the Dave's Garden article. I think mine was a gift, and I've never seen it for sale in shops; it's not a common offering. In Wisconsin, it needs to live inside in cold seasons, and I hung it in a window of the bathroom, where it only got partial sun.

I had also designed a necklace based on the structure; though I never made it, I think it has that potential as well !

This is one of my favorite plants and they always die on me. I usually keep it in the house near a sunny (not direct sun) window and it never makes it. I decided to put it out side on the window ledge this year where it's shaded but has lots of light and it is doing good. I saw a pic that Palmbob posted of one and it had loads of flowers on it, I had no idea they bloomed. I want my plant to do better than it is doing now. When is the best time to repot? Does it like smaller pots with little room? I also saw a pic from Palmbob and the String of Pearls were growing on the ground like ground cover. I want to learn more about this plant, ANY info will help!

These alien looking flowers smell delicious!

One of my favourite plants,and easy to care for,I have this plant in a south facing window,but shaded with a net curtain,and its doing just fine,I like it because its so unusual,and when it flowers it makes it even more special,the flowers smell of Jasmine and the scent is delicate,yet can perfume a whole room.Not an easy plant to find in the UK,I bought mine from an online site,and I've taken cuttings from it, that root easily,to give to family and friends.

Please can anyone advise - I need some advise my Senecio is looking very sad, the 'pearls' at the base of plant have turned brown and some shriveled up, the longer trails still look green and healthy, dont know what I'm doing wrong - its in a sunny window and gets watered every 15 days or whenever it looks really dry - HELP! Can I revive it? Should I cut it back?

Can anyone tell me if I can grow this in a container planting in summers/outside in N.C.?

I've tried several times to sustain the String of Pearls, but without much luck, for no discernible reason that I can share. Perhaps the usual watering considerations, since succulents aren't my biggest success stories.

One thing I want to add about this plant--a caveat I would like to see appended to care tags on plants intended for consumers who are not aware or don't research, but usually buy for cosmetic value: this plant is toxic to your pets and would probably sicken a small child, as well, if ingested.

If you are going to have it as a houseplant, be sure it's in a spot where your animals can't chew it.

I absolutely LOVE this plant! I first placed it hanging outside in hot sun, and it didn't seem to like our California heat and full sun too much.
I transferred it inside where it gets bright light all day, and it is really taking off! I water every two weeks or so, making sure to drench and letting all the water drain out of the pot.
Flowers are fragrant. Beautiful in hanging baskets.

I love this plant because it's so unique looking! I got my first one when I was a little girl on a trip to the Amish country in Pennsylvania. This was actually my first plant, and I didn't know much about gardening at the time so it died after about two years probably from a combination of overwatering and never upsizing its original pot. Over the years I've searched for a replacement, but I was never able to find another one in stores, but my boyfriend purchased a clipping from an online store last Fall. It is a fast grower and has already more than quadrupled in size. It is so healthy that I'm sure it will flower this year!

I absolutely love this plant it is doing wonderful! Sprouting new growth everywhere. I currently puchased some liquid plant food that is for cacti and succulents and it seems to be helping.

I really love this plant, I bought mine from a nursurey in AZ sadly though it doesn't seem to be doing so well latley. It fell over and almost all the pices broke loose from the soil. It also doesn't seem to be growing quickly and I've had it for over a year...come to think of it, it hasn't grown at all. Does anyone know how to replant the pieces..there doesn't seem to be any root system..there are some very thin hairs ..there is also alot of brown/dead pieces that were at the bottom of the pile of pearls. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks!

Unique-looking plant. Just be sure to treat for mealy bugs if they appear.

Very nice plant for a hanging-basket. Seems to like a bright location with 2-4 hours of direct sun light. Flowers are white and smell like cinnamon. Stem cuttings are easy to propagate, just cut stem near a node and stick cutting into soil. Leaf "balls" will loose their round shape when the plant is in need of watering. Variegated form might actually be Senecio herreianus (Gooseberry Senecio) which has slightly larger, elongated and striped leaf "balls".

This plant grows in a basket and comes variegated or green. It looks like peas/pearls/beads on a string. Often found for sale at Nabibia, Walmart, or Lowe's - quite common. It may go dormant. Does not like hot weather, may hang under a patio cover. Give plenty of room to hang down. Make sure it has plenty of light and cool air.

You may grow it in a 6" pot wrapped around and round. Cut off strings and just press them into fresh soil to restart. It will form potato-like lumps under the soil. If all the leaves fall off don't fret, stop watering and wait until it starts to grow again. A very popular plant.