9 Plants Similar to String of Pearls to Grow at Home

As a houseplant enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for unique trailing plants to add to my collection. One of my favorites is the string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus), with its spherical beads-on-a-string foliage. If you also love the string of pearls, you’ll be happy to know there are lots of equally interesting plants with a similar vining growth habit and decorative leaves.

In this article, I’ll share 9 great alternatives to string of pearls that will add tons of visual interest to your home or office. Many of these plants hail from hot, arid regions and share the same care needs as string of pearls and other succulents. Read on for an overview of growth habit, appearance, care, and tips for keeping these 9 trailing beauties healthy and happy!

String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata)

With its rounded leaves resembling tiny turtle shells, it’s easy to see how this trailing succulent got its name Native to South America, string of turtles is a popular indoor plant thanks to its compact size and attractive foliage The leaves are fleshy and emerald green with some striping in a lighter shade of green.

String of turtles tends to grow slower than other trailing succulents. It rarely exceeds 12 inches in length, making it perfect for small spaces. Provide bright, indirect light to prevent leaf burn. Water when the soil is dry to the touch, usually every 2-3 weeks. Use a well-draining potting mix and allow the soil to fully dry out between waterings. Repot annually in the spring using a slightly larger container. Propagate by taking 3-4 inch stem cuttings in the summer.

String of Bananas (Senecio radicans)

I love this trailing succulent for its vibrant leaves that resemble tiny bananas. It truly looks good enough to eat! Native to tropical regions of Africa, string of bananas has fleshy blue-green leaves that reach 2-3 inches long. The foliage is such a fresh shade of green that it almost appears to glow. With its vigorous growth rate, this plant can reach lengths of 3 feet or more.

String of bananas thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. Water every 7-10 days when the soil feels dry, and use a fast-draining potting mix. Avoid overwatering, which may cause leaves to turn yellow or drop off. Repot in a slightly larger container each spring as needed. Propagate from stem cuttings in summer. This trailing plant looks spectacular in a hanging basket!

String of Nickels (Dischidia nummularia)

Here’s another fun trailing plant with round coin-shaped leaves that inspired its common name. Native to Australia and Southeast Asia, string of nickels has waxy jade green foliage about the size of a nickel. It is an epiphyte, meaning it grows on other plants in tropical rainforests rather than directly in soil.

When grown as a houseplant, provide string of nickels with a chunky, well-aerated potting mix. Water when the top inch of soil is dry and mist occasionally to boost humidity. Give this trailing plant medium to bright indirect light. String of nickels can reach up to 18 inches long and tolerates pruning well, so feel free to snip off unruly strands. Propagate by taking 3-4 inch cuttings.

String of Raindrops (Curio herreianus)

Formerly known as Senecio herreianus, this South African native has trailing stems lined with teardrop-shaped succulent leaves. The leaves start off gray-green and develop red tips as they mature, looking like raindrops on a string. Provide very bright light to maintain the red coloring. String of raindrops can grow quite long, up to 3 feet, so give it room to spread or prune as needed.

Water string of raindrops whenever the soil is completely dry. Use a sandy, fast-draining cactus mix and terra cotta pots with drainage holes. Propagate from stem cuttings in spring or summer. Too much humidity may cause fungal problems with this plant, so provide good airflow. Grow string of raindrops indoors near a sunny window or outdoors in zones 9-11.

String of Fishhooks (Senecio radicans ‘Fishhooks’)

Here’s a fun variation of string of bananas with gracefully arching blue-green leaves. ‘Fishhooks’ is a cultivated variety with foliage that tapers to a point, resembling tiny fishhooks along the dangling stems. It shares the same care needs as the species, growing best in bright indirect light with occasional watering and well-draining soil.

One advantage of ‘Fishhooks’ over the standard variety is it stays more compact at around 18 inches maximum length. That makes it a great option if you want the look of string of bananas but have limited space. Propagate this variety from 3-4 inch stem cuttings in spring or summer. Grow it in a hanging planter or trailing basket to show off the elegantly cascading foliage.

String of Rubies (Crassula capitella ‘Campfire’)

Add a pop of color to your plant collection with this trailing succulent and its ruby red leaves stacked along wiry stems. With its bright color and drapy growth habit, string of rubies provides unique visual interest. Native to South Africa, this crassula prefers very bright, direct light to maintain its rich coloring. Too little light will cause the leaves to fade to green.

String of rubies requires minimal water, only when the soil is completely dry. Use a sandy cactus mix and terra cotta pots for good drainage. Avoid overwatering which can lead to rot. Grow this trailing plant indoors or outdoors in zones 10-11. Prune as needed to control the length. Propagate from 3-4 inch stem cuttings in spring and summer.

Variegated String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii variegata)

Add a romantic touch to your indoor garden with this vining succulent and its delicate heart-shaped leaves with cream and pink variegation. It needs bright, filtered light to thrive. String of hearts enjoys slightly more frequent watering than some succulents, about once a week when the soil is partly dry.

Use a well-draining cactus potting mix. Watch for mealybugs and scale insects that may attack this plant. Prune anytime to control size. String of hearts can grow quite lengthy when happy but is easy to propagate from cuttings. Display it in a hanging basket or trailing over a bookshelf or table.

Silver Glory String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii ‘Silver Glory’)

Here’s a special variety of string of hearts with heart-shaped leaves variegated in silver and gray. It looks absolutely stunning trailing from a hanging planter or basket. Silver Glory prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its coloring. Water about once a week when the soil is partly dry.

Use a well-draining potting mix and terra cotta or glazed ceramic pots with drainage holes. Mist occasionally to boost humidity around this plant. Watch for pests like mealybugs and scale. Prune to control length. Propagate from 4-6 inch tip cuttings in summer. Silver Glory string of hearts adds a touch of shimmery elegance to indoor plant displays.

String of Needles (Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii)

The string of needles plant is aptly named for its long, pointed green leaves that resemble knitting needles dangling along gracefully arching stems. This succulent vine is a bit tricky to find but worth searching for its unique look. It needs bright light to grow well but not direct sun which can scorch the foliage.

Water string of needles whenever the soil is dry to the touch. Use a porous, well-draining potting mix. Repot every 2-3 years as needed to refresh the soil. Mist occasionally to boost humidity around this plant. Prune to control size and shape. Propagate by taking 4-6 inch stem cuttings in spring or summer. String of needles can grow quite lengthy so give it vertical space to extend.

String of Dolphins (Senecio peregrinus)

Last but certainly not least is this trailing beauty, native to South America. One look at its blue-green succulent leaves explains where it got its name – they vividly resemble leaping dolphins! This rare succulent can be challenging to find, but it’s worth seeking out for its playful appearance.

Grow string of dolphins in bright indirect sunlight and water sparingly, only when the soil is completely dry. Use a sandy cactus mix and terra cotta pots for the best drainage. Mist occasionally to boost humidity. Prune anytime to control size and shape. Take 3-4 inch stem cuttings in summer for propagation. Let the whimsical foliage of this plant add a splash of fun to your indoor garden!

Add These Trailing Plants to Your Collection

If you’re a fan of string of pearls, I hope you’ve found some new plants to add to your wish list! Many of these trailing succulents share similar care needs, so they’re easy to grow alongside string of pearls. Their unique shapes and textures make them perfect for adding visual interest to shelves, tabletops, hanging baskets, and more.

Trailing plants are super easy to propagate, so you can start with just one and make more to expand your collection. Share cuttings with fellow plant lovers too. No matter which of these 9 beauties you choose, they’ll be sure to add an extra dose of nature’s charm to your indoor garden. Get ready to watch your plant family grow!