How often should I water a string of turtles?

Let the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, then water. It likes evenly moist soil but rots if overwatered. Water less in winter, and always check the soil with a finger instead of watering on a schedule.

Why is my string of turtles losing its pattern?

Usually it needs more light. NC State Extension notes that it tolerates low light but the leaf color is less vibrant. Move it to bright, indirect light, out of hot summer sun.

Is string of turtles fast growing?

No. NC State Extension describes it as slow growing, with trailing stems reaching about 12 inches at maturity.

How do you propagate string of turtles?

Take stem cuttings in summer and root them in a gritty, free-draining mix or in a glass of water. NC State Extension recommends leaf cuttings as well.

Is string of turtles toxic to cats and dogs?

NC State Extension tags Peperomia prostrata as non-toxic to cats and dogs. The ASPCA does not list this species, but lists other peperomias, such as Peperomia caperata and Peperomia obtusifolia, as non-toxic.

String of Turtles Care (Peperomia prostrata): Light, Watering, Soil and Propagation

String of turtles (Peperomia prostrata) is a tiny trailing houseplant with round, succulent leaves. The pattern on each leaf looks like the shell of a miniature turtle, which gives the plant its name. It suits a hanging pot, a shelf edge or a terrarium and takes up almost no space.

How to identify string of turtles

The plant grows thin reddish stems that trail over the edge of the pot. NC State Extension says they reach about 12 inches long at maturity. The leaves are round, fleshy and small: under 1 inch across according to NC State Extension, and up to about 0.6 inch (1.5 cm) according to the RHS. They are dark green with lighter markings along the veins, sometimes silvery or whitish. NC State Extension notes that young leaves are more colorful, while older leaves settle into dark and light green.

From spring to summer it may produce slender, upright, tail-like spikes of tiny brown flowers. NC State Extension says indoor plants rarely flower.

String of turtles belongs to the pepper family (Piperaceae). Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants lists Peperomia prostrata as an accepted species native to Ecuador, and NC State Extension places it in the country’s wet tropical areas. The RHS lists it as Peperomia prostrata hort., a name used in horticulture.

Light

NC State Extension recommends bright, indirect light. The plant tolerates low light, but the leaf color will not be as vibrant. For peperomias in general, the RHS suggests an east- or west-facing windowsill or a spot set back from a south-facing window. Direct summer sun can scorch the leaves, while weaker winter sun is usually welcome, and the RHS profile for this species suggests moving it into full light in winter. In deep shade, peperomias grow weak and spindly. See our houseplant light guide for help judging your windows.

Watering

Watering is where most string of turtles problems start. NC State Extension says the plant prefers evenly moist soil but can suffer from overwatering, which leads to root rot. The RHS advises letting peperomia soil partially dry out between waterings and checking with your finger rather than watering on a routine.

Water moderately in summer and sparingly in winter. The RHS profile suggests tepid, soft water. According to the RHS, peperomias are sensitive to fluoride in tap water, which can turn leaf tips brown, so rainwater or filtered water is a better choice. Never leave the pot standing in water.

Potting mix and repotting

The RHS recommends a loose, free-draining, slightly acidic mix for most peperomias: two parts peat-free ericaceous compost, one part perlite and one part medium orchid bark. A houseplant compost with added perlite also works. NC State Extension lists good drainage and acid to neutral soil.

Peperomias grow slowly and can usually stay in the same pot for two or three years. NC State Extension notes that string of turtles does well pot-bound. Repot in spring once roots fill the pot or poke out of the drainage holes, into a pot only an inch or so wider than the root ball. A pot that is too large stays wet for too long.

Humidity and temperature

NC State Extension says the plant prefers average to higher humidity and suggests a humidifier or a tray of wet pebbles under the pot. Its small size also makes it a good terrarium plant, which both NC State Extension and the RHS recommend.

NC State Extension gives a consistent 68–75°F (20–24°C) as preferable and advises avoiding cold drafts. For peperomias in general, the RHS gives 65–86°F (18–30°C) and a minimum of 50°F (10°C). Keep it away from radiators, where it dries out quickly.

Fertilizing

The RHS profile for this species suggests a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month from spring to summer. The RHS growing guide for peperomias in general recommends half-strength liquid fertilizer every two weeks from April to October. For a small, slow plant like this one, the lighter approach is safer. Skip feeding in winter.

Propagation step by step

The RHS lists summer stem cuttings and seed for this species, and NC State Extension names leaf cuttings as the recommended method. For peperomias in general, the RHS says stem cuttings can go straight into a pot of gritty, free-draining compost or root in a glass of water first.

Stem cuttings:

Snip a healthy piece of stem with several leaves.
Remove the lowest leaves to leave a short bare section of stem.
Insert it in moist, free-draining mix, or stand it in water.
Keep it warm and in bright, indirect light.
If rooted in water, pot it up once roots have formed.

Leaf cuttings:

Remove a healthy, fully grown leaf.
Press it lightly into moist, free-draining mix.
Keep the mix just moist, warm and out of direct sun until the leaf roots and sends up a new shoot.

Our guide to houseplant propagation methods explains each technique in more detail.

Cultivars

The turtle-shell pattern is natural to the species. NC State Extension lists two cultivars: ‘Silver Stripe’, with dark green leaves marked by silvery stripes and reddish stems, good for terrariums, and ‘Pepperspot’, with deep green leaves, red undersides and wiry reddish-brown stems. ‘Pepperspot’ does not have pale leaf markings.

Common problems

Symptom	Cause	Fix
Yellowing, dropping or mushy leaves	overwatering, root rot	let the soil dry out, repot into a more free-draining mix
Brown leaf tips	fluoride in tap water, dry air	use rainwater or filtered water, raise humidity
Faded leaf pattern	too little light	move to brighter, indirect light
Long, sparse stems	deep shade	give more light, trim straggly stems
Scorched patches	hot summer sun	move back from the window
White cottony clusters	mealybugs	see mealybugs

NC State Extension says the plant is usually resistant to insects and diseases, but recommends watching for mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, scale and whiteflies.

Toxicity

NC State Extension tags Peperomia prostrata as non-toxic for cats and dogs. The ASPCA does not list this species. It does list other peperomias, including Peperomia caperata and Peperomia obtusifolia, as non-toxic to dogs and cats. We found no source that addresses toxicity to people. For an upright relative, see Peperomia obtusifolia.