Care of the indoor plant Senecio rowleyanus or String of Pearls |
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The genus Senecio, family Asteraceae, comprises 1,6000 species of herbaceous succulent plants and shrubs distributed over all continents. Some species are: Senecio rowleyanus, Senecio petasitis, Senecio mikanioides, Senecio mandraliscae, Senecio kleinia, Senecio cruentus, Senecio barbertonicus, Senecio angulatus, Senecio stapeliiformis, Senecio serpens, Senecio elegans, Senecio macroglossus, Senecio bicolor, Senecio jacobsenii, Senecio pseudolongifolius, Senecio scaposus, Senecio compactus. Common names: String of Pearls, Rosary Vine, Irish Beads, Green Peas, String of Beads, String of Marbles, String of Peas, Bead plant, Rosary pearls, Necklace Plant. This species is native to Southern Africa. They are very decorative hanging plants due to their curious fleshy, almost spherical leaves that have thin translucent bands that allow light, essential for photosynthesis, to reach the interior tissues. They produce small white flowers in heads with a cinnamon-like aroma. They are used as hanging houseplants because of their attractive, ball-like leaves. Senecio rowleyanus prefers a light shade exposure; it can grow in sunny exposure as long as watering is frequent. The temperature should not be less than 5 ºC (41 ºF). The soil can be a mixture, in equal parts, of siliceous sand and leaf mulch. Water regularly but with little amount of water (1 weekly watering with a glass of water per plant). Fertilize in spring with compost or humus. They are propagated from stem cuttings that have adventitious roots or by layering. |
Images of the indoor plant Senecio rowleyanus or String of Pearls |
 Senecio rowleyanus  Senecio rowleyanus  Senecio rowleyanus |