Senecio String of Dolphins

Senecio peregrinus (now botanically reclassified as Curio × peregrinus) is a rare hybrid cross between String of Pearls (Curio rowleyanus) and Candle Plant (Curio articulatus). World-famous for its charming, curved leaves that resemble tiny jumping dolphins, this trailing succulent produces cascading vines packed with plump, translucent-windowed foliage. Perfectly suited for sunny windowsills and hanging baskets, it delivers a fun, whimsical accent while offering excellent drought tolerance and straightforward care.

  • Toxic to pets and children
  • Repot once every 3 years
  • No fertilizing necessary
  • Very little water
  • Bright, indirect light

About Senecio String of Dolphins

Origin

A fascinating hybrid succulent born from crossing Senecio rowleyanus (String of Pearls) and Senecio articulatus (Candle Plant). This trailing curiosity is famous for its arching, succulent leaves that precisely resemble tiny, leaping dolphins plunging through the air along slender, cascading stems.

Air Purifying

Helps refresh indoor living spaces by releasing fresh oxygen during daytime gas exchange and absorbing minor ambient household pollutants.

Toxicity

Keep out of reach of curious cats, dogs, and children. Like many members of the Senecio family, it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which cause mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, and potential liver discomfort if ingested. 

Caring for Senecio String of Dolphins

Watering

Treat like the succulent it is! Allow the top 50% to 75% of the soil mix to dry out completely before giving it a deep drink. Watch the "dolphins" closely: when well-hydrated, the leaves are firm and plump, but they will pucker or soften slightly when the plant is ready for water.

Light and Placement

Craves bright, filtered light to thrive and maintain its iconic shape. Give it at least 6 hours of strong indirect light or soft morning sun daily; insufficient light causes the leaves to flatten out, losing their distinctive dolphin silhouette into plain leaf paddles.

Nutrition

Low nutrient demand. Dose once a month during spring and summer with a succulent or houseplant fertilizer diluted to quarter-strength. Pause feeding entirely throughout the autumn and winter months.

Repotting

Move up a pot size every 2 to 3 years in early spring when the trailing crown becomes overly dense. Choose a shallow container with generous drainage holes, and anchor it in an ultra-porous cactus and succulent mix packed with perlite, pumice, or coarse sand.

Pruning and Flowering

Occasionally produces small clusters of cinnamon-scented, fuzzy white flowers in late spring or summer. Trim back long, leggier stems using clean, sharp shears to encourage a fuller, bushier top crown—and stick those trimmed cuttings right back into the soil to propagate!

Senecio String of Dolphins SOS

Illness

Highly sensitive to overwatering and poorly draining soil, which quickly lead to mushy stems and root rot. Watch for mealybugs or aphids nesting in the tight leaf joints along the vines, treating affected areas with a gentle dab of rubbing alcohol or insecticidal soap. 

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