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String-Of-Turtles (Peperomia prostrata), whole plant
  • String-Of-Turtles — close-up of leaves and flowers
  • String-Of-Turtles — seasonal appearance
  • String-Of-Turtles in a garden setting

String-Of-Turtles

Peperomia prostrata

Medium · Some experience

About String-Of-Turtles

String of Turtles is a charming Brazilian rainforest perennial with tiny succulent oval leaves marked with intricate dark and light green patterning resembling tiny turtle shells, on slender trailing stems. Reaching 12-18 inches trailing, its minute leaf detail makes it one of the most jewel-like trailing houseplants. Pet-safe and increasingly popular, it has become a hallmark plant of the modern American small-space houseplant collection.

  • Trailing
  • Evergreen
WATER
Regular
Top inch dry
LIGHT
Indirect
Filtered light
WARMTH
60–80°F
16–27°C

How to care for String-Of-Turtles

Watering

  • Springevery 10 days
  • Summerevery 10 days
  • Fallevery 14 days
  • Winterevery 21 days

Soil · Fast-draining

  • Main mixSand + pumice + soil 1:1:150%
  • DrainagePumice / gravel50%

Keep grit at half the mix or more — this soil is meant to dry out fast.

FERTILIZER

Balanced Feed 14-14-14

An even feed covers all three needs at once, keeping leaves, roots and blooms moving together with nothing pushed out of balance.

N33%P33%K33%
  • Nitrogen · Leaves
  • Phosphorus · Roots + Blooms
  • Potassium · Strength
  • Springevery 45 days
  • Summerevery 45 days
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At a Glance

  • NativeSouth America
  • Height0.2–0.4 ft (0.1–0.1 m)
  • Spread0.5–1 ft (0.2–0.3 m)
  • Flower colorWhite, Green
  • Foliage colorDark-green
  • SoilLoamy, Well-drained
  • LocationsIndoor

Bloom time

BLOOM CYCLE

Slender white-green flower spikes (uncommon)

Toxicity

Pets Safe

None reported

Not reported

EXPOSURE No exposure route is reported.

EFFECT No toxic effect is reported.

NOTE No human toxicity is reported in this catalog; avoid eating ornamental plants unless confirmed edible.

Safe

EXPOSURE No exposure route is reported.

EFFECT No toxic effect is reported.

NOTE Listed as non-toxic for dogs; avoid eating ornamental plants unless confirmed edible.

Safe

EXPOSURE No exposure route is reported.

EFFECT No toxic effect is reported.

NOTE Listed as non-toxic for cats; avoid eating ornamental plants unless confirmed edible.

Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

DISTRIBUTION

String-Of-Turtles · Native
  • Native
  • South America

History

Illustrated historical scene for String-Of-Turtles

Peperomia prostrata, commonly called string of turtles or magic marmer, is a small trailing epiphytic perennial in the pepper family (Piperaceae) native to humid rainforests of Brazil, particularly the Atlantic rainforest region, though exact wild distribution is unclear due to long cultivation. British horticulturist Benjamin Samuel Williams introduced and named the species around 1874 based on plants brought from Brazilian expeditions. The epithet prostrata refers to the prostrate trailing habit.

Plants produce thin reddish-green trailing stems bearing closely-spaced tiny round succulent leaves 1-1.5 cm across, the leaves dark forest-green marked with prominent paler yellow-green vein patterns that strikingly resemble the pattern of a turtle shell, for which the plant earned its whimsical common name. Trails grow to 30-90 cm in good conditions. The species became enormously popular during the 2020-2022 houseplant boom, particularly for small spaces, terrariums, and hanging displays.

Easy from stem cuttings but requires high humidity and is prone to rot from overwatering. Non-toxic to pets. Long an obscure botanical curiosity, it became one of the most coveted small trailing houseplants of the 2018-2022 American houseplant boom for its uncanny turtle-shell patterning.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

String-of-Turtles can symbolize wonder, each tiny round leaf patterned like the shell of a miniature turtle and trailing down a shelf in delicate strands. Another layer is patience, for the plant grows slowly, rewarding only the keeper willing to wait through a year of barely visible progress. Among houseplants it is the small reliquary of attention, a hanging vine whose entire charm depends on being looked at closely enough to see the pattern at all.

  • Wonder — miniature turtle-shell patterning on each leaf
  • Patience — slow-growing rewards careful attention

Where the Name Comes From

'Prostrata' from Latin meaning lying flat or trailing.

Uses & Fun Facts

  • String-of-turtles trails from small hanging pots
  • Patterned bead-like leaves on delicate trailing stems

Related plants

More Peperomia plants

Plants with similar care

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water String-Of-Turtles?

In summer, water about every 10 days; in winter, about every 21 days. Adjust for heat, pot size and drainage.

How much light does String-Of-Turtles need?

Indirect: Filtered light. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.

Is String-Of-Turtles toxic to cats or dogs?

Pets Safe (Dogs Safe · Cats Safe) Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

Is String-Of-Turtles easy to grow?

It is moderately demanding: a good choice once you have a little experience.

Can String-Of-Turtles be grown indoors?

Yes, it adapts well to indoor growing given the right light.

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