String of turtles!!
String of turtles used to be very difficult to find, but it is becoming easier to get your hands on. String of turtles, also known as Peperomia Prostrata (it’s scientific name) or turtle’s string, is an absolutely lovely trailing plant known for the stunning variegated patterns on it’s leaves that resemble a turtle’s shell. These little turtles are relatively low maintenance.
Light Level: Bright, indirect
Watering: Allow it to dry out between waterings
Humidity: Yes
Temperature: Between 65 – 75 degrees F
Potting Mix: Well draining and well aerated
Fertilizing: Half-strength, twice a month in spring, once a month in summer
Repotting: When it outgrows its current pot
You should put your string of turtles where it receives bright, indirect light. It can be grown in medium light but, as with all plants, the variegation is best maintained in bright light. Don’t leave this plant in direct sun or the poor little turtles could burn! Be sure the sun’s rays are not shining directly on the plant. On the other hand, too little light can lead to leggy growth. That means longer strings with fewer turtles! The plant is trying to grow toward more light and also conserve energy. No natural light? No problem! Grow lights are a real lifesaver! And, when it comes to the string of turtles and other string plants, grow lights are really helpful for making sure light gets to the TOP of the plant and not just the strings.
Since they store water in their fleshy leaves, string of turtles does not need to be watered often. Let the potting mix dry out in between waterings, and do not overwater them or you could put your plant at risk of root rot. Just be sure to feel the potting mix first to determine how wet or dry it is before you water!
String of turtles will be happiest staying in between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. So, your normal household temperatures will probably be just fine!
Pot your string of turtles in a well-draining and aerated potting mix. Two ingredients that are great for this are a general potting mix with about half as much perlite mixed in. I’ve also seen cactus and succulent potting mix recommended. If you use this, just make sure it doesn’t get compacted over time. String of turtles plants have shallow root systems and grow slowly. Although they grow in length, they don’t typically get too big and wide for their pots. Replace the potting mix once a year, and only repot the plant in a new pot if it has clearly outgrown its current one. In that case, use a pot the next size up from the current one that has drainage.
You shouldn’t need to prune your string of turtles regularly, but you can prune off any unruly or leggy strands, and any dead or dying strands or leaves with a clean pair of pruning shears. Don’t prune off more than a third of your plant at once, but you shouldn’t have to do this anyway.