You may have heard of these popular succulent plants: string of hearts, string of pearls, string of bananas, and string of fishhooks. Each of them has thin, cascading stems strung with succulent leaves shaped like their namesake, and they all start conversations wherever they hang.
String of pearls, string of bananas, and string of fishhooks all belong to the genus Senecio and are native to arid regions of southern Africa. In their native environment, they trail along the ground in the shade of rocks and other plants. The thickness of their rounded leaves helps limit moisture loss, but the roundness also limits the amount of light that can strike the surface of the leaf. Interestingly though, these plants have found a compromise. If you look closely, you’ll see a darker stripe on each of the leaves. This stripe is made up of special translucent tissue, creating what’s called a “leaf window.” According to succulentsandmore.com, this lets light inside the leaf for more photosynthesis while still limiting moisture loss.
The string of hearts plant is a little different – it belongs to a separate genus, Ceropegia. But, it also sports the thin stems that drape dramatically over the sides of its container. Its charming little leaves are thick and heart-shaped and appear in pairs along the stems. The leaves are also beautifully variegated in shades of green, silver, and purple.
All of these plants are easy to care for, needing just bright indirect light indoors and dappled shade when out. Let their soil dry well between waterings too. They ask for very little, but they give back an unusual look and texture that will inspire all kinds of conversation at your next get-together.
