Senecio herreianus (String of Pearls, String of Beads)


Botanical Information

FamilyAsteraceae
GenusSenecio
Speciesherreianus
CategoryPerennials, Tropicals
OriginSouthwestern Namibia and South Africa.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone12
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cool season proetection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH1b
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)13
Temperature (°F)55
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodJune, July, August

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA unique succulent due to the trailing stems and bulbous leaves. Flowers on tall, slender stems as white daisy-like blooms.
ShapeDrooping to weeping or pendulous.
LandscapeAs a hanging potted plant or as a specimen.
PropagationSeed or cuttings.
CultivationPlant in partial sun to partial shade in dry, well-draining sandy or loamy soils of any acidity. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
PestsScale and mealybugs, although very rare.
Notable SpecimensUniversity of Alberta Botanic Garden, Devon, Alberta, Canada. Chelsea Physic Garden, London, United Kingdom.
HabitatGrows beneath bushes in arid areas. Dry, inland environments.
Bark/Stem DescriptionLong, smooth, glabrous vine-like stems and branches.
Leaf DescriptionRounded ovoid-shaped, slightly pinnate, pearl or bead-like leaves approximately 10 cm long and 5 - 7 cm wide that grow along vine-like branches. Leaves are not flat.
Flower DescriptionBrush-like blooms on long peduncles.
Colour DescriptionMedium green to bluish-green foliage. Purplish-brown stems and vines. Green peduncles. White-petaled blooms tipped with a dull purplish-brown.
Texture DescriptionSmooth and leathery.

Photographs