How to Grow and Care for String of Turtles

The String of Turtles, Peperomia prostrata, is a houseplant from the rainforests of Brazil. Its name comes from the small, round leaves with patterns resembling miniature turtle shells. These leaves grow on thin, vining stems that cascade, making the plant a popular choice for hanging baskets or trailing down shelves.

Its slow-growing nature makes it suitable for smaller spaces, and its unique foliage has a distinctive appeal.

String of Turtles Care

Light

String of Turtles thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. An east or north-facing window provides gentle light without the harshness of direct sun, which can scorch the leaves and cause their patterns to fade.

Insufficient light leads to leggy growth, where stems stretch out with sparse leaves. Low light will also diminish the turtle-shell pattern. Providing consistent, filtered light encourages compact growth and preserves the leaf variegation. This plant does not adapt well to being moved, so find a suitable permanent spot for it.

Soil

Peperomia prostrata is susceptible to root rot, so a well-draining potting mix is required. While commercial succulent or cacti mixes work, a custom mixture of peat moss, perlite, and coarse sand provides a great balance of moisture retention and aeration. Peat maintains a slightly acidic pH, while perlite and sand ensure excess water drains away.

Avoid dense, heavy soils that retain too much moisture. The plant’s fine root system needs a substrate that allows it to breathe and prevents the soil from becoming compacted.

Water

Use a “drench and dry” method by watering the plant thoroughly and letting the top one to two inches of soil dry out before the next watering. Overwatering is a common mistake that leads to root rot, so it is safer to underwater this plant. Its semi-succulent leaves store water, making it relatively drought-tolerant.

Keep the soil moist but not soggy during the spring and summer growing season, and reduce watering in the fall and winter. Bottom-watering is also an effective method, as it lets the soil absorb water from the base without wetting the delicate leaves.

Temperature and Humidity

Peperomia prostrata prefers indoor temperatures between 65°F and 75°F (18°C to 24°C). Protect the plant from cold drafts and sudden temperature changes, which can cause leaf drop, and do not let temperatures fall below 50°F (10°C).

As a rainforest native, this plant thrives in higher humidity, though it can adapt to average household levels. If your home is dry, especially in winter, you can increase humidity by placing a small humidifier nearby or grouping it with other plants.

Fertilizer

Fertilizing during the active growing season supports healthy growth and vibrant leaf patterning. Use a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer from spring through summer, diluted to half the recommended strength to avoid burning the roots.

Apply the fertilizer every two to four weeks while the plant is actively growing. Stop fertilizing during the fall and winter when the plant’s growth slows to allow it a natural rest period.

Propagating String of Turtles

Propagate Peperomia prostrata during the spring and summer growing season using stem cuttings. Select a healthy vine and use clean scissors to take cuttings that are at least 2-3 inches long. Each cutting should have several leaves and nodes, which are the small bumps on the stem where new roots will form.

You can root cuttings in either water or soil. For water propagation, place the cuttings in a jar of water, ensuring at least one node is submerged while the leaves remain above the water. For soil propagation, you can lay a longer strand flat on top of moist potting mix, ensuring the nodes make good contact with the soil.

Another soil technique is the “butterfly method,” where individual leaf cuttings with a small piece of stem attached are pushed into the soil. Place cuttings in bright, indirect light and keep the soil consistently moist. Roots will form within a few weeks, and the cuttings can then be planted. To create a fuller plant, place several rooted cuttings together in the same pot.

Common Problems

Yellowing leaves and mushy stems are indicators of overwatering and root rot. To fix this, check that the pot has good drainage and allow the soil to dry out more between waterings.

Leaf drop can be caused by overwatering, underwatering, or sudden changes in temperature, light, or humidity. Maintaining a consistent care routine helps prevent this.

Long, “leggy” stems with sparse leaves or fading patterns indicate the plant is not receiving enough light. Move it to a brighter location to encourage compact growth and restore variegation. String of Turtles can attract pests like mealybugs and fungus gnats, especially in overly moist soil.

Repotting

This plant does not require frequent repotting and should be moved to a new pot every two to three years, or when it becomes root-bound. Signs of a root-bound plant include roots growing from the drainage holes or the soil drying out much faster than normal.

Choose a new pot that is only 1-2 inches wider in diameter and has excellent drainage holes. Be gentle when removing the plant to avoid damaging its fragile stems and roots.

Place the plant in the new pot at the same depth and fill the surrounding space with fresh, well-draining potting mix. After repotting, water it thoroughly and return it to a spot with bright, indirect light.