Tiny round leaves, each one marked like a little turtle shell, strung along trailing red stems. That’s the string of turtles, Peperomia prostrata, and once you see one spilling over the edge of a small pot, it’s hard not to want one.
It’s a slow-growing evergreen perennial in the pepper family, Piperaceae, the same family as black pepper. NC State Extension calls it a delicate trailing vine and rates it easy to grow and low maintenance.
It is one of the smaller members of a big, easy-going genus; see our guide to Peperomia varieties for its relatives.
The catch? It’s small, slow and fussy about one thing above all: too much water. Get the watering right and the rest is simple.
Peperomia Prostrata Quick Care Tips
- Botanical name: Peperomia prostrata
- Common names: String of turtles, trailing peperomia
- Family and origin: Piperaceae (pepper family); native to Ecuador
- Growability: Easy to grow, low maintenance (NC State Extension)
- Hardiness zones: USDA 10a to 12b (NC State Extension); a houseplant almost everywhere else
- Size: Trailing stems reach about 12 inches; leaves under 1 inch across
- Flowering: Small, brown, tail-like spikes; rarely flowers indoors
- Light: Bright, indirect light; tolerates low light with duller color; no direct sun
- Temperature: A steady 68 to 75°F; avoid cold drafts (NC State Extension); for the genus, the RHS gives 65 to 86°F, always above 50°F
- Humidity: Average to higher; a humidifier or pebble tray helps
- Soil: Well-drained houseplant or cactus potting mix (Clemson Extension)
- Water: Let the soil dry out between waterings (Clemson Extension); never let it sit wet
- Fertilizer: Low-strength liquid fertilizer occasionally in spring and summer, or slow-release once a year
- Pests and problems: Mealybugs, spider mites, scale, aphids, whiteflies, fungus gnats; root rot from overwatering
- Propagation: Leaf cuttings or stem cuttings
- Pets: Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, as “Peperomia prostata”; NC State Extension)
- Uses: Hanging baskets, small pots, terrariums, desks and shelves
Peperomia Prostrata String Of Turtles Care and Plant Needs
Where String of Turtles Comes From
You’ll often read that this plant comes from Brazil’s rainforests. That’s a mix-up. NC State Extension says it is native to the wet tropical areas of Ecuador, and the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) also gives Ecuador as its native range.
The wider genus is huge. Clemson Extension says there are over 1,000 species of peperomia, native to Central and South America, where they grow in the forest understory and many live as epiphytes, growing on other plants for support without harming them.
NC State Extension’s genus page gives a wider native range: the tropical and subtropical areas of Central and South America, Africa, Southeast Asia and parts of Australia.
Size and Growth
String of turtles is a miniature. NC State Extension describes small, round, succulent leaves less than 1 inch across, carried on delicate red stems that trail to about 12 inches at maturity. Growth is slow, so a small pot stays small for a long time.
In a pot, the stems creep over the soil and cascade over the rim, which is why it looks so good in a hanging basket or on the edge of a shelf. NC State says it trails and spreads but is not aggressive.
Foliage and Flowering
The leaves are the whole show. NC State Extension says they are green, marbled with darker green or sometimes white or silver, and look like tiny turtle shells strung together. Young leaves carry multi-colored patterns; as they mature, they usually settle into dark and light green.
Don’t expect many flowers. NC State describes the bloom as a tiny, upright, brown spike that looks like a tail, and says indoor plants rarely flower.
Clemson Extension says peperomia flower spikes appear in spring and summer, are considered unattractive (they’re said to resemble a rat’s tail), and that removing them lets the plant focus on leaves. More in our post on the peperomia flower spike.
String of Turtles Light Requirements and Temperature
Bright, indirect light is the sweet spot. NC State Extension says string of turtles thrive in bright, indirect light and can tolerate low light, but the leaves won’t be as vibrant.
Clemson Extension suggests indirect light from an east- or south-facing window for peperomia, says they can tolerate somewhat low light near a large north-facing window, and warns that direct sun may scorch the leaves.
Short on window light? Small trailers like this one can also be grown under lights; see our guide to growing plants indoors under artificial light.
For temperature, keep it steady. NC State Extension recommends avoiding cold drafts and keeping temperatures consistently between 68 and 75°F.
For peperomias in general, the RHS peperomia page gives 18 to 30°C (65 to 86°F) and says to keep them out of cold draughts and always above 10°C (50°F). Keep it away from cold windows in winter and away from heating and air-conditioning vents.
Want to give it a summer outdoors? Clemson Extension says peperomia can go outside once night temperatures stay at 60°F or higher, starting in deep shade to adjust, then kept in a bright but shady spot out of direct sun.
Humidity
NC State Extension says string of turtles prefer average to higher humidity and suggests using a humidifier or setting the pot on a tray of wet pebbles to raise it. Clemson Extension adds that peperomia benefit from a humidifier in winter.
Watering and Feeding
Here is where most string of turtles plants get into trouble. Clemson Extension says this species is sensitive to overwatering, and that root rot from overwatering is the most common peperomia disease.
Clemson says peperomia prefer to dry out between waterings, and overwatered plants will drop their leaves.
NC State Extension puts it a little differently: string of turtles prefers evenly moist soil but can suffer from overwatering. Both point the same way in practice. Water when the soil has dried, never keep it soggy, and water less in winter when growth slows.
After watering, Clemson says to let the pot drain before setting it back in its saucer. A pot with drainage holes makes that easy. NC State Extension adds that yellowing or curling leaves on peperomia signal overwatering.
Go light on fertilizer. Clemson Extension says to fertilize peperomia only while they are actively growing in spring and summer, using a low-strength liquid fertilizer occasionally, or a slow-release granular fertilizer once a year. Skip feeding in fall and winter.
String of Turtles Soil and Transplanting
Drainage comes first. Clemson Extension recommends a well-drained houseplant or cactus potting mix for peperomia. NC State Extension recommends a loam-and-sand mix with good drainage for this species.
Don’t rush to repot. NC State Extension says string of turtles does well pot-bound, and Clemson says peperomia don’t need repotting every year and can stay in the same pot for several years.
When you do repot, Clemson suggests a pot only slightly larger than the one it came in. A pot that’s too big holds extra wet soil around a small root system, and that’s the overwatering problem all over again.
Grooming and Maintenance
There isn’t much to do. Clemson Extension says to trim off old leaves when needed and prune a stem just above a leaf node to encourage branching and a fuller look. Snip off any damaged or dead stems while you’re at it.
How to Propagate a String of Turtles
String of turtles is easy to share. NC State Extension lists leaf cuttings as the recommended way to propagate it, and Clemson Extension describes both stem and leaf cuttings for peperomia:
- Stem cuttings (Clemson Extension): cut a 3- to 5-inch piece of stem, remove the leaves on the lower third, dip the end in rooting hormone, and insert it into potting soil or a rooting medium. Cover with clear plastic and keep it out of direct sun.
- Leaf cuttings (Clemson Extension): remove a leaf with at least an inch of leaf stem (petiole), insert it into a rooting medium, and new plants will form at the base of the leaf stem.
- Keep the rooting mix lightly moist, not wet, while the cuttings take hold.
More on String of Turtles Propagation
Peperomia Prostrata Pest or Disease Problems
NC State Extension says string of turtles is usually resistant to insects and diseases, but to watch for mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, scale and whiteflies. Clemson Extension adds fungus gnats to the peperomia list.
Mealybugs are, in UC IPM’s words, small, soft, wax-covered insects that commonly infest houseplants.
For a small infestation on a houseplant, UC IPM says you can dab a solution of 70% (or less) isopropyl alcohol and water onto the plant with a cotton swab; test it on a small part of the plant first and watch for leaf burn.
Not every extension service is comfortable with that: UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions lists alcohol as phytotoxic, meaning it can cause leaf burn, and says it should not be applied to plant tissues.
On a plant with leaves this small, test first and stop at the first sign of damage. UC IPM also says insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils and neem oil applied directly to young mealybugs can reduce their numbers.
Spider mites hide where you might not look. UC IPM says they live in colonies mostly on the underside of leaves, and that sprays of water, insecticidal oils or insecticidal soaps can be used for management; test a product on one or two plants first and get good coverage on the leaf undersides. For neem, follow your product’s label; our guide to applying neem oil has more.
Related: Learn more about controlling succulent pests here.
Root rot and dropping leaves. This is a watering problem, not a pest problem. Clemson Extension says root rot is caused by overwatering and that an overwatered peperomia drops its leaves. Drain the pot after every watering and let the soil dry out before you water again.
Leaf spots. Clemson Extension says you can prevent fungal leaf spots by keeping the leaves dry when you water, and NC State Extension adds that good air circulation helps. Water the soil, not the foliage.
Scorched or faded leaves. Clemson and NC State both say direct sunlight can scorch peperomia leaves. Move the plant back from a sunny window into bright, indirect light.
Is String of Turtles Toxic to Pets?
Good news here. The ASPCA’s plant lists include “Trailing Peperomia” among plants non-toxic to cats and dogs; its entry spells the scientific name “Peperomia prostata,” a misspelling of Peperomia prostrata.
NC State Extension also lists Peperomia prostrata as non-toxic to cats and dogs, and Clemson Extension says most peperomias are safe for pets. Even so, it’s best to keep any houseplant out of reach of pets and small children. More in our post on whether peperomia are toxic to cats.
Best Uses For Turtle Leaf Plant
Its small size and patterned leaves make string of turtles a natural for small spaces. NC State Extension lists terrariums, outdoor containers and hanging baskets, and tags it for interiorscapes. It also works well in:
- Hanging baskets
- Terrariums
- Dish gardens
- Office desks and shelves
- Container gardens
Is The String of Turtles Plant Invasive?
No. String of turtles spreads and cascades over the edge of its pot, but NC State Extension says it trails and spreads without being aggressive. It’s a tidy, well-behaved little plant.
Do you have a string of turtles trailing off a shelf at your place? Tell us where yours grows best!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is string of turtles easy to care for?
Yes, as long as you don’t overwater it. NC State Extension rates it easy to grow and low maintenance. Clemson Extension says it is sensitive to being overwatered, so let the soil dry out between waterings, drain the pot after watering, and give it bright, indirect light. NC State recommends keeping it at a steady 68 to 75°F, away from cold drafts.
Is string of turtles a succulent?
Yes. NC State Extension describes its small, round leaves as succulent and lists it as a succulent, and Clemson Extension says many peperomia have thick, fleshy leaves similar to succulents. It is not a cactus, though: it belongs to the pepper family, Piperaceae, and Clemson suggests a well-drained houseplant or cactus potting mix.
Is string of turtles toxic to cats and dogs?
No. The ASPCA’s cat and dog plant lists include trailing peperomia (under the misspelling “Peperomia prostata”) among non-toxic plants, NC State Extension tags Peperomia prostrata as non-toxic for cats and dogs, and Clemson Extension says most peperomia are considered safe for pets. It is still wise to keep houseplants out of reach of pets that like to chew leaves.
How often should I water string of turtles?
Water when the soil has dried rather than on a fixed schedule. Clemson Extension says peperomia prefer to dry out between waterings and that string of turtles is sensitive to overwatering, while NC State Extension says it likes evenly moist soil but can suffer from overwatering. Let the pot drain before returning it to its saucer, and water less in winter.
How much light does string of turtles need?
Bright, indirect light suits it best. NC State Extension says it tolerates low light, but the leaf color will not be as vibrant. Clemson Extension suggests an east- or south-facing window with indirect light and warns that direct sun may scorch peperomia leaves, so keep it out of direct sun.