String of Turtles
Peperomia prostrata (pep-er-ROH-mee-uh prost-RA-tuh)
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. Consider using a humidifier or setting the plant container on a tray of wet pebbles to increase the interior humidity. 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. More information on Peperomia .
Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 42 attributes.
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