String of Turtles Peperomia prostrata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- pep-er-ROH-mee-uh prost-RA-tuh
- Description
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String of Turtles is a delicate trailing vining plant with round, tiny, succulent, green leaves that are marbled with a darker green or sometimes the marbling may be white or silver. The leaf shape looks like the shell of a tiny turtle that is strung together and is the origin of its common name. The plant is slow growing and at maturity, the stems reach a length of 12 inches. This plant is native to the wet tropical areas of Ecuador and is a member of the Piperaceae or pepper family.
They thrive in bright, indirect light and can tolerate low light conditions, but the leaf color will not be as vibrant in low light. They prefer evenly moist soil, but they can suffer from overwatering. This plant also prefers average to higher humidity levels. Regular misting or a small humidifier nearby may be of benefit. Avoid cold drafts, and a consistent temperature of 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit is preferable. They do well to be pot-bound.
They are perfect potted plants either in a terrarium, outdoor container, or hanging basket. They trail and spread but are not aggressive.
Quick ID Hints:
- evergreen perennial, trailing, cascading, vining, extending up to 12 inches in length,
- delicate, trailing, red stems
- small, round, succulent green leaves with a marbled pattern of dark green but sometimes white or silver
- leaves resemble a turtle shell
- flowers are small, tail-like, brownish spikes
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: A String of Turtles are usually resistant to insects and diseases. Monitor for mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, scale, and whiteflies. Overwatering can result in root rot.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Pepperspot'
trailing habit, deep green leaves with red undersides, and wiry reddish-brown stems - 'Silver Stripe'
dark green leaves with silvery stripes, reddish stems, good fo a terrarium
- 'Pepperspot'
- 'Pepperspot', 'Silver Stripe'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Pepperspot'
trailing habit, deep green leaves with red undersides, and wiry reddish-brown stems - 'Silver Stripe'
dark green leaves with silvery stripes, reddish stems, good fo a terrarium
- 'Pepperspot'
- 'Pepperspot', 'Silver Stripe'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Peperomia
- Species:
- prostrata
- Family:
- Piperaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Leaf Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Ecuador
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Succulent
- Vine
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The plant flower is a tiny, upright, brown spike that appears tail-like. Indoor plants rarely flower.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are tiny, round, green with dark green marbled markings, and less than 1-inch in diameter. The tiny leaves resemble the shells of miniature turtles that are strung together. The leaves are multi-colored patterns when young. As the leaf matures, it is usually dark and light green.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stems are delicate, trailing, and red.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
