String-of-turtles

Peperomia prostrata

No known toxicity☀ Low–bright indirectMedium care

Check in 2 days· Jul 15

Water when roughly the upper half of the soil is dry.

Every 10 daysLast watered: 2026-07-05

This is a soil-check date, not an automatic watering date.

Overview

Summary, origin & habitat: A small trailing peperomia native to wet tropical areas of Ecuador. It is prized for coin-sized leaves patterned like miniature turtle shells and is often grown in terrariums or hanging pots.
Interesting facts: Despite the succulent-looking leaves, it comes from a wet tropical habitat and usually appreciates more humidity than desert succulents.
Name story: The common name comes directly from the shell-like leaf pattern. Prostrata means prostrate or lying flat, describing the trailing habit.
History & legends: A modern collector’s houseplant without a well-established body of traditional legend.

Light: Bright indirect light; tolerates lower light but leaf pattern becomes less vivid.
Temperature: 68–75°F (20–24°C); avoid cold drafts.
Watering: Water when roughly the upper half of the soil is dry.
Fertilizing: Monthly at ½ strength in spring–summer, or every 4–6 weeks with a mild balanced fertilizer.
Toughness: Medium
Difficulty: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Maintenance notes: Likes humidity and lightly moist conditions but rots easily when waterlogged. Keep in a small, airy pot.

Mature height: About 2–4 in. above the pot
Mature spread: Trails to about 12 in.; roughly 8–12 in. across
Leaf colors: Green with dark green, silver or whitish marbling resembling turtle shells; reddish stems.
Leaf type / form: Tiny, round, simple, fleshy succulent-like leaves on delicate trailing stems.
Best planting / repotting time: Best propagated or repotted in spring to early summer.
Bloom time: Usually summer; flowers may appear during active growth.
Flower color: Small brownish to greenish tail-like spikes.

Toxic if eaten?: No known toxicity
Who is affected: Not classified as toxic to cats or dogs
Possible effects: Generally considered pet-safe. Eating any plant material can still cause mild stomach upset.

Pruning: Trim sparse or overly long stems and pinch tips to encourage branching. Avoid heavy pruning during cool, low-light months.
Propagation: Stem cuttings with several nodes are easiest; lay the nodes on moist mix. Leaf cuttings may work but are slower.
Repotting: Repot every 2–3 years or when the mix breaks down. It prefers being slightly pot-bound, so avoid a large container.

Adaptation strategy: Fleshy leaves store a modest amount of water, while trailing stems root at nodes and spread through humid forest-floor or epiphytic habitats.
Ecological application: A good pet-safe choice for terrariums, small hanging baskets and humid interiorscapes. It remains compact and is not an aggressive spreader.