String of Turtles Plant (Peperomia prostrata) Care Indoors: Watering, soil, Fertilizer, Propagation, Problems

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Peperomia prostrata also called String of Turtles Plant or Magic Marmer is one of the popular Peperomia varieties, on the account of its ease of care and ability to adapt to a wide range of growing conditions.

String of Turtles Plant is a compact, perennial bearing succulent, heart-shaped leaves about 1 inch long with beautiful patterns of white veins which vary in color from maroon to dark blue to purple in young plants and they become silvery-white as the plant matures.

The veining on the leaves gives them the look of tiny turtles hence the common name, 'String of Turtles' and is one of the string of plants ideal for indoor growing.

String of Turtles Plant is a trailing type of Peperomia and is one the succulent plants for a hanging baskets, tabletop or shelf where it can display its beauty.

Botanical name: Peperomia prostrata
Family: Piperaceae
Common names: String of Turtles, Magic Marmer

Origin

Peperomia prostrata is native to the tropical rain forests in Brazil where it grows as an epiphyte on trees. An epiphyte grows on trees for support only, it does not affect the tree in any way.

Flower

String of Turtles Plant flowers are rat-tail flower-heads made up of cream-colored flowers on an upright spike.

Is String of Turtles Plant toxic?

No. Peperomia prostrata like other Peperomia Plants is non-toxic to humans and pets. They are pet-safe plants ideal for a home with cats, dogs and other pets.

Where to Buy

If you are looking to acquire String of Turtles Plants for your plant collection, you may obtain them online from Amazon (Link to Amazon).

How to Care for Peperomia prostrata Indoors

To care for Peperomia prostrata indoors, provide bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight, warmth of 18-25⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

String of Turtles Plant requires regular pruning to keep it neat, minimize pest and disease infestations as well as rejuvenate growth. Repotting is only needed when extremely pot-bound. Keep reading for more details on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

How often should I water String of Turtles Plant?

Do not water on a schedule. Water Peperomia prostrata liberally in spring and summer while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil moderately moist and take care not to overwater to prevent rotting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

Significantly cut down on watering in fall and winter to keep the soil barely moist as growth is reduced at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely for too long as underwatering can result in wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf loss.

Use room temperature (tepid) water to prevent cold shock as it can cause stunted growth and leaf fall. Water with chlorine-free water like rainwater to prevent staining and browning of leaf edges.

Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging as it can result in root-rot and eventual loss of the plant.

Light Requirements

What is the best place to put String of Turtles Plant?

String of Turtles Plant thrives in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of morning or late afternoon sunshine. Keep it away from hot midday sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.

Keep in mind that, too little light may cause Peperomia prostrata to be leggy, with wide spaces between the leaves, as well as lose the beautiful leaf color. If the natural light is not adequate, use full spectrum grow lights to complement it.

Rotate the pot ocassionally to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth as well as prevent legginess.

Temperature & Humidity

String of Turtles Plant prefers in a warmth of 18-25⁰C. Keep it away from sources of drafts like AC units, hot air vents, open doors, drafty windows among others as they can cause stunted growth and leaf drop.

Peperomia prostrata does not require extra humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is adequate for this plant. Make sure there is good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

What is the best fertilizer for String of Turtles Plant?

Feed your String of Turtles Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer monthly in spring and summer to encourage a lush growth. Withhold feeding in fall and winter to prevent fertilizer burn as growth is reduced at this time.

Regularly, flush out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage hole. Allow it to run for some time to clear as much salt as possible.

Potting Soil

What is the best kind of soil for String of Turtles Plant?

The best potting soil for Peperomia prostrata should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to avoid sogginess. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough.

Magic Marmer is prone to root-rot if the soil gets soggy (retains too much water), therefore, a cactus and succulents mix is perfect for this plant since it drains easily.

Repotting

Repot String of Turtles Plant during the growing season, only when pot-bound. However, you can refresh the soil at the beginning of the growing season if not repotting.

Use a pot one size larger that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy which can lead to root-rot. A shallow, terracotta pot rather than a deep pot is preferable; the plant has a small root system.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Peperomia prostrata involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat as well as reduce pest and disease infestations.

To encourage a bushy, compact growth, regularly pinch off the growing tips. Cutback the stems during the growing season to rejuvenate growth; as the plant ages, it becomes straggly.

Clean the leaves regularly by splashing water from a steady jet to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations.

Peperomia prostrata Propagation

String of Turtles Plant propagation is done from leaf cuttings, from stem-tip cuttings or by plant division, at the beginning of the growing season.

1. Propagating String of Turtles from leaf cuttings in water

The leaf cuttings root easily, therefore there is no need for a rooting hormone.

1. Take leaf cuttings from a healthy plant and make sure that each leaf cutting has a petiole.


2. Allow some time for the formation of a protective callus tissue over the cuts of the leaf cuttings to avoid rotting.


3. Once callused, submerge the petiole of the leaf cuttings in a jar of clean plain water or in a propagation station.


4. Change the water every 5-7 days to prevent bacterial and fungal growth.


5. Position the set up in warm, well-lit place until growth begins at the base of the cuttings leaf petiole.


6. Allow enough time for substantial growth of the roots and new leaves.


7. Transfer the new plants into individual pots in moist, well-draining soil. For a fuller plant, transfer several cuttings into one pot.


8. Place the pots in a warm, brightly-lit place away from direct sunlight.


9. Keep the soil moist until the new plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.

2. Propagating String of Turtles from stem-tip cuttings

The stem-tip cuttings root easily, therefore, there is no need for a rooting hormone.

1. Take stem cuttings of about 4-5 inches length from a healthy plant and ensure each cutting has at least 2 sets of leaves.


2. Allow some time for the formation of a protective callus tissue over the cuts of cuttings to prevent rotting.


3. Once callused, insert the cuttings in moist rooting soil.


4. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.


5. Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges and substantial growth has been observed.


6. Transfer the new plants to individual pots in moist, cactus and succulents soil and begin routine care. For a fuller plant, transfer several cuttings into one pot.

3. Propagating String of Turtles by plant division

1. Water the plant thoroughly at least one day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment.


2. Slip the plant from its pot and carefully divide it into sections by pulling apart the roots. Ensure each section has adequate roots to promote establishment.


3. Select a 6 or 8 inches pot which has a drainage hole to prevent rotting.


4. Fill the pot with free-draining soil, moisten it lightly and make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the section.


5. Place the section in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base. Take care not to bury it too deep; maintain the section at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.


6. Water the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.


7. Maintain the soil moist until the new plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.

Related Content: How to Propagate Peperomia by 4 Easy Methods.

Peperomia prostrata Problems & Solutions

String of Turtles Plant problems are yellow leaves, leaf drop, curling leaves, leggy growth, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Yellow leaves

Some of the causes of yellow leaves on your Peperomia prostrata are inconsistent watering, soggy soil, too little light, salts buildup or aging.

How to fix it

Inconsistent watering: Water only when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Do not water on a schedule.

Soggy soil: Use a free-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.

Too little light: Position the plant in bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.

Salts buildup: Occasionally leach out accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage hole. Let it run for some time to get rid of most of the salts.

Aging: Naturally the old leaves to turn yellow and drop as the plant matures.

Leaf drop

Leaf drop on String of Turtles Plant is caused by inconsistent watering, soggy soil, too little light, temperature stress, use of cold water among others.

How to fix it

Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and loose, well-draining soil.

Insufficient light: Place the plant in bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight or use a grow light if the natural light is not sufficient.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, heat sources, windy doors, drafty windows among others.

Use of cold water: Water with water that is at room temperature to prevent cold shock.

Check out these 12 reasons why Peperomia is dropping leaves & their remedies.

Curling leaves

Peperomia prostrata leaves are curling due to underwatering or dry air.

How to fix it

Underwatering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry to the touch but never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to elevate humidity.

Leggy growth

Leggy stems on String of Turtles Plant are caused by too low light.

How to fix it

Cutback the stems to rejuvenate growth.

Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight or instal grow lights if the natural light is not adequate.

Pests

String of Turtles Plant is prone to whiteflies, mealybugs, scale insects and spider mites which are common in dry air conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the infested plant to reduce spread to the rest of the plants.


2. Treat the infested plant with a neem oil or an insecticidal soap as indicated by the manufacturers'.


3. Maintain the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.


4. To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together to minimize the pests infestations.

Diseases

String of Turtles Plant is prone to leaf spot disease which is characterized by brown, moist leaf spots. It is prevalent in warm, humid conditions.

How to fix it

1. Remove and burn the affected parts to prevent spread to the other plants.


2. Treat the affected plant with neem oil as recommended by the manufacturer.


3. Keep the plant on the dry side and do not mist it.


4. Maintain a good air flow to discourage the disease.

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