Curio rowleyanus

RHS Plant Profile

string of beads

Other common names

string of pearls

Synonyms

Senecio rowleyanus
Senecio rowleyanus String of Pearls

Houseplants

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A tender, evergreen succulent with long trailing stems and fleshy mid-green spherical leaves. Produces paintbrush-shaped, white/cream fragrant flowers in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Trailing
Potentially harmful: Sap may irritate skin and all parts may cause stomach upset if ingested. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Curio are flowering evergreen succulents native to South Africa's Cape Province mountains, with long, striated leaves and disc-shaped flower heads with no ray florets
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: S.W.Africa- Namibia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in free-draining potting compost in a bright position with several hours of direct sun. In summer keep room temperature between 21-27°C (70-80°F). In winter keep between 13-16°C (55-60°F) and water sparingly. See Curio and houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cutttings, internodal cuttings and division in spring and summer.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Trim back weak or straggly stems to the base of the plant to encourage new growth.

Pests

May be susceptible to whitefly, aphids and glasshouse red spider mite.

Diseases

Generally disease-free