String of Turtles Care Guide
Family: Piperaceae
Genus: Peperomia
Botanical Name: Peperomia prostrata
Difficulty: Best for the experienced plant parent
String of Turtles is a durable and isn’t one of the easiest to find plants. With beautiful white and green marbling, this interesting plant will make an excellent addition to your plant collection. Keep reading to find out why a String of Turtles is perfect for you!
Light
The beautiful String of Turtles thrives in a well lit room with direct light. This is the best way to show off their beautiful leaves! South and eastern facing windows are what the String of Turtles prefer, but if you can’t provide them with adequate lighting, these beauties can also benefit from a grow light!
Water
String of Turtles love to have moist soil at all times, but they do not respond well to overwatering. The best way to measure water intake is to allow the top soil to dry before watering again.
Climate
Humidity is a String of Turtles paradise! This plant enjoys warm temperatures year-round with normal humidity. Temperatures between 65°-75°F are ideal for this adorable little plant to grow! They will start to show signs of wilting in temperatures below 50°F. When the weather is hotter, it is best to mist the leaves with a spray bottle occasionally to cool them off.
Soil
String of Turtles enjoy a loose, aerated potting mix to be able to breathe! The best soil to use for these plants would be a mix of two parts peat moss and one part perlite. Having to repot to larger pots should not be a problem, since these plants tend to grow longer instead of wider, so refreshing the soil once a year should keep them happy!
Pests & Diseases
These little plants are not known for being prone to diseases or nasty pests, but as with any plant, it’s always best to keep an eye out! Root rot, whiteflies, mealybugs and spider mites can always cause issues with house plants, so be sure to watch for any signs of leaf spots and damage.
Tips
It is crucial that your String of Turtles gets adequate drainage after watering to promote healthy growth.
If your String of Turtles is getting too bushy, you can gently prune some of the top stems to control its size!
Always make sure to remove dead leaves.
Signs your plant is unhappy
Scorched leaves: too much sunlight exposure!
Excessive leaf dropping: the temperature just isn’t right or overwatering!
No growth: needs more water!
Propagation
The best and most efficient way to propagate your String of Turtles is from leaf and vine cuttings. Make sure that the stem you chose is healthy looking before attempting propagation. Take a clipping of about 2-3” from the vine. Bury it it just barely beneath the topsoil surface to encourage the plant to grow new roots! Make sure it is in a bright location, and keep the soil moist. Have patience because your new plant will take a few weeks to sprout!
Fun Facts
String of Turtles is native to Brazil!
They can grow little white flowers that look like spikes!
They are non-toxic and pet friendly!
The growth of this gorgeous plant begins at the top, like hair growing from a head!
Hardiness Zones
String of Turtles enjoy being inside where it’s nice and warm, so it’s best to keep them inside during the colder months. For neutral temperature spring and summer days, you can take it outside to enjoy some fresh air as long as you live in the right climate!
The USDA Hardiness Zones for String of Turtles are 9-11.
If you live in Tennessee, here is a hardiness map to check out your area’s hardiness zone!
