Variegated String of Pearls

Pearls, but make them marbled. Our Variegated String of Pearls is the cream-splashed form of Curio rowleyanus (formerly Senecio rowleyanus), with plump, bead-like leaves streaked in mint green and ivory, strung along trailing strands that spill beautifully from a shelf or hanging pot.

Native to the dry regions of southern Africa, it's a succulent at heart: each pearl stores water, and the tiny translucent line on every bead is a "window" that lets light reach inside. Give it bright light and the stems and pearls often blush pink, a bonus you won't get from the all-green version. Over time the strands lengthen into a lush curtain of variegation.

Care snapshot

• Light: Bright, indirect light with a little gentle direct sun. More light means better variegation and that pink blush.
• Water: Let the soil dry out almost completely, then water thoroughly. Slightly wrinkled pearls are its way of saying it's thirsty. Use a gritty, fast-draining succulent mix.
• Difficulty: Intermediate. Easy once you resist the urge to overwater.
• Pet-safety: Toxic to cats and dogs if eaten; hang it well out of reach.

What you'll receive

Plants are living things, so no two variegated strands are alike. Yours will have its own pattern of cream and green and may vary slightly from the photo. That's part of the charm.

A rarer twist on a trailing favourite, this one earns a front-row spot in any collection. Give it a sunny perch and watch it string along into something special.