How to Grow String of Turtles

IN THIS ARTICLE
 Care
 Toxicity
 Pruning
String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata) is a tiny little Brazilian native succulent that thrives in
a climate that mimics those found in the average house. This is why it is featured in houseplant
collections and apartment jungles worldwide.
It is small in size and has a slow growth rate, reaching full maturity in three to five years. This
makes string of turtles a good choice if you have limited space. The plant's attractive leaf shape
has also made it a favourite to use in fairy gardens, container gardens, and terrariums.
That same leaf shape is what gives the plant its common name. Each one looks like the shell of
a miniature turtle strung together. Every tiny leaf on its trailing vine has intricate multi-coloured
patterns covering its surface. The colours become muted with age and eventually become
bicolored by maturity, usually a darker green contrasted by light green. But still, this
little succulent never really loses its charm.
No matter how it is used, the uniqueness of Peperomia prostrata will make it a valuable addition
to any indoor plant collection and an excellent conversation piece.
Botanical Name Peperomia prostrata
Common Name String of Turtles
Plant Type Succulent
Mature Size 12 inches.
Sun Exposure Bright but indirect light
Soil Type Loamy, moist
Soil pH Neutral to acidic
Bloom Time Usually does not flower.
Flower Colour Cream coloured.
Hardiness Zones 10 to 12, USA
Native Area Brazil
Toxicity Yes
String of Turtles Care
When properly cared for, string of turtles can be the pride of a tropical plant collection, but it will
take a little effort and some adapting from the typical methods used to maintain most
succulents.
Different, though, does not mean complicated. An adequately cared for Peperomia prostrata will
reward owners with a unique, well kept, vining succulent.
Light
String of turtles plants love bright indirect sunlight and will thrive in these conditions. Keeping
these plants in full sun for too long will damage the leaves.
Provide a bright, indirect setting away from the direct light. We'd recommend situating yours in
either a north or east-facing window, or somewhere that boasts overhead lighting. Avoid shady
locations or shelves if possible, as the lack of light hitting the soil's surface will increase the risk
of basal rot and leggy internodes. If you're worried about its location being too dark, if a
newspaper can be read while having your back towards the window, you're good to go.

Soil
Those familiar with raising succulents may be used to using a premix that has been explicitly
formulated for succulents and cacti. These premixes should not be used for Peperomia
prostrata.
Instead, a mix consisting mainly of organics should be used. One that is rich in peat is ideal.
This formula is easily found in a commercial seed starting mix. Peat is acidic, which is perfect
for this plant, but take care that the pH does not get too low. Testing the soil is every so often is
a good idea.
A good way to mix up the soil is to use 2 parts peat and one part sand or perlite and to change it
or the top layer once a year.
When planting prostrata, be careful not to overpot as it could make the soil waterlogged.
Shallow soils do not retain excess water.
Repot the plant in spring while changing the topsoil.
However, only go up one pot size as these plants remain quite small.

Water
Once a peaty soil has been selected, the string of turtles is in a position to succeed and retain
the moisture needed to thrive.
The plant tends to suffer from overwatering more than it does from dry conditions. It is native to
the Brazilian rain forest, so it prefers slightly moist conditions. This can be accomplished by
keeping the soil moist only during the growing season and using the succulent 'soak and dry'
method during the winter months.
Overwatering is avoided by drenching the soil till water runs out the bottom of the pot, and the
soil is thoroughly moist. Then the plant is not watered when the top level of the soil is dried out.
Using this method ensures the plant stays properly watered during dormant months.
Remember the ukhouseplants' phrase of 'drenches between droughts', and you'll ace this
section of its care requirements. Allow all of the soil to dry out in between waters, ensuring that
the pot feels very light before another hydration. Although pouring water directly through the
foliage is acceptable if situated in a sunny location, irrigate using the bottom-up method to be
extra sure. Place the pot on a saucer of water (25% submerged) until thorough absorption to
provide deep hydration. Wetting the foliage every time you come to hydrate the plant will allow
excess moisture to settle, causing the leaves to yellow and rot away. Over-watering
symptoms include rapidly yellowing or shrivelling leaves, mushy foliage and eventual plant
death; scroll down to 'Common Issues' for more information. Under-watering symptoms
include deflated leaves, little to no growth and gradual foliage decline. Be sure to study its
environment; a position that offers too much sunlight will dry out the soil far too quickly and will
eventually scorch the plant's leaves; move to a darker location.
Temperature and Humidity
Peperomia prostrata prefers cooler, more humid temperatures over the warmer temperatures
most succulent fans come to expect.
Keeping the string of turtles in what is considered average room temperature is an excellent
way to go (around 68o-75o Fahrenheit).
During drier summer months or when a heater is running during the winter, you may want to use
a mister or humidifier as long as care is taken to ensure that the leaves are not left wet.
Average room humidity is more than enough to satisfy this plant. Never situate it within a few
metres of an operating radiator due to the enriched chance of browning leaf-tips.

Fertilizer
Feeding string of turtles will help maintain a bright shiny vigour and ensure that the plant's
leaves' colour and patterns are held throughout the growing season.
Feed it with a diluted houseplant fertilizer biweekly during the growing season. Fertilizing is not
recommended during the fall or winter.
Is String of Turtles Toxic?
Sadly, the String of Turtles is toxic to household pets when ingested, so it should be avoided or
kept out of reach if there are furry friends at home.
Pruning
If string of turtles is not pruned regularly, it can develop an unkempt, ragged, leggy appearance.
Occasional pruning will allow you to abscise dead and damaged stems and leaves, and remove
unwanted growth. It also encourages new, more vigorous growth to flourish. Do all pruning with
sanitized scissors or very sharp snips.
Flowers
Long, shaft-shaped flowers will develop along the vine during early summer, after the plant
reaches the maturity of a few years. The quality of its blooms largely relies on the quality of the
dormancy period served in the previous winter. To replicate its dormancy period:
1. Reduce temperatures down to around 15°C (59°F) from late autumn until early spring,
with little watering.
2. Allow all of the soil to dry out for around a fortnight in between irrigation thoroughly.
3. Provide a few hours of off-peak direct sunlight with little fertilisation throughout this period
to ensure a good dormancy.

Propagating Peperomia Prostrata

Peperomia prostrata string of turtles can be easily propagated from leaf cuttings.
Cut out about 2″ to 3″ inches of a stem with leaves attached to the petiole.
Plant the cuttings into small pots filled with a moist and well-draining soil mix
Place the pot in a location with bright light and maintain temperatures of about 68° degrees
Fahrenheit.
A rooting hormone will help the Peperomia prostrata root quicker and begin growing out.
Be careful not to overwater the plant.

Via Seed or Vine Cuttings.

Vine Cuttings (Moderate) - Choose the healthiest stems located at the vine terminals; these
should be damage-free and wholly plump. Cut off at least five inches and remove the older half
of the leaves for the reduction of transpiration (moisture loss). Use a well-draining potting mix,
preferably 'Cactus & Succulent' labelled compost, and coil the vine in a circular shape, pinning it
down with a paper clip. Cover the older half in half an inch of soil (the area where you removed
the leaves) to promote quicker root development. Try not to cover the actual foliage with soil as
this will harm its light-capturing efficiency, along with higher rates of rotting. Place the potted
cuttings into a transparent bag and mist the soil and foliage once a week to maintain high
humidity. Situate it in a bright, indirect setting with temperatures above 18°C (64°F). Be sure to
pierce a few holes in the bag and actively remove any yellow or rotten debris to present a
healthier environment. As the roots will develop first, remove the bag and treat it as an adult
specimen once there are signs of new foliar development.

Peperomia Prostrata Pest or Disease Problems

Like most peperomia species, prostrate is vulnerable to mealy bugs, which can appear as fuzzy
white stuff at the bottom of the leaves.
They also have a few maladies:
Wilted, Discolored Foliage
This may be caused by overwatering.
 Drain the water out from the pot
 Do not soak the leaves which can make them rot
Dull, Damaged Leaves
The plant may look dull and lifeless and lose its variegation when laced under very strong
sunlight.
The loss of variegation may never be reversed.
The spread can be minimized by moving the plant away from the harsh sunlight.
Best Uses For String Of Turtles
String of Turtles small size and ornamental foliage make it perfect plant for:

 Terrarium plants
 Hanging baskets
 Dish gardens
 Office desks
 Container gardens
Is The String of Turtles Plant Invasive?
Prostrate is a spreading, vining plant that can cascade over the edge of a hanging baskets. But,
it does not invade neighboring plant space or shade them out.
In essence, this is a very well-behaved and beautiful looking plant.
Top Tips & Info
 Care Difficulty - Easy
 Provide a bright, indirect location with generous amounts of light penetrating the soil's
surface. Areas that are too dark will quickly result in root rot and the development of soil
mould.
 String of Turtles (SoT) must endure periods of droughts in between hydration - if you're
stuck with when to water it, think of the ukhouseplants' phrase of 'drenches between
droughts'.
 Avoid excess moisture settling on the foliage that sits above the soil to prevent rotting
issues. Either be careful when watering or irrigate using the bottom-up method to avoid
said catastrophe.
 Fertilise using a 'Houseplant' or 'Cactus' labelled feed every four waters in the spring and
summer, reducing this to every six in the colder months.
 Repot every three years during the spring, using a 'Cactus & Succulent' potting mix and
the next sized pot. Be careful of breaking its delicate vines, but equally, can be
propagated if separated from the plant.
Common Issues with String of Turtles
 Root rot is a common problem among specimens sat in too dark environments
with prolonged soil moisture. Symptoms include rapidly wilting leaves, mouldy
soil, stunted growth and a rotten brown base. Take the plant out of the pot and inspect
health below the compost line. If the roots sport a yellow tinge, you're good to go, but
those that are brown and mushy must be addressed immediately. More information
about managing root rot can be found on this link.
 A lack of leaves on the soil's top could be the product of excess moisture settling
on the foliage. Although watering from the top is best, it's recommended to use the
bottom-up method if you're a messy waterer. For specimens that have a bare head,
improve growing conditions by using this method and increasing the light levels and air
circulation. Take vine cuttings to promote a bushier appearance above the soil line -
scroll down to 'Propagation' for more information. Finally, always remove yellowed or
rotten debris from the soil as it could harbour both bacterial and fungal diseases, which
will continue the plant's decline.
 A dark location (shelves, etc.) will promote the vines to develop small or no
juvenile leaves, giving the impression of 'leggy' or naked growth. The length between
the nodes will also dramatically become larger, harvesting less energy that can be
converted into sortable sugars. Be sure to increase the amount of indirect light
somewhat, and give the specimen a gentle supplement of 'Houseplant' or 'Cactus'
labelled feed to help with its stored energy.
 Failed vine cuttings are a common problem among gardeners, with damaged wounds
or too small vines being the usual culprits. Although propagating SoT is relatively easy,
people still find it hard to ace; scroll down to 'Propagation' for more information.