Senecio Herreianus Dinter
Family Asteracae — Subfamily Asteroideae — Formerly: Kleinia gomphophylla
Also known as
String of Tears
String of Pearls
Green Marble Vine
Gooseberry Senecio
Senecio Herreianus is native to
Southwestern Namibia and northwestern
Great Namaqualand in South Africa.
The species is named in honor of
Adolar Gottlieb Julius Herre (1895-1979):
Explorer, horticulturalist, and curator of
South Africa's Stellenbosch
University Botanical Garden.
Senecio herreianus is a popular evergreen hanging plant with
oval pointed bead-like leaves that trail along the soil and form
large clusters over time. In warm Mediterranean-type climates
it can also be grown as a ground cover and in rockeries, where
it will root regularly at nodes along the entire length
of its sprawling, partially-buried stems.
Similar to the more frequently found Senecio rowleyanus,
it shares some of the same common names — though the
leaves of S. herreianus are larger, more elongated and
spindle-shaped than the small round pea-like balls
of Senecio rowleyanus’ string of green 'pearls'.
PLEASE NOTE:
“String of Pearls”, “String of Tears”…
..of Fishhooks… Watermelons… Hearts...
..String of Bananas ... String of Barrels
..Beans... Limes... Pickles.....Beads..."
are colloquial, common-name retailing
terms casually applied across a range of
string-plants within the Senecio family
informally referred to under these very
broad, widely inconsistent, unreliable,
inaccurate umbrella retailing labels.
All refer to the "String of Pearls"
range within the South African
Senecio family of species with
bead-like succulent leaves
along pendant stems.
What truly matters is the biological, Linnaean
taxonomic nomenclature —the Latin name—
by which each species is botanically identified
(assuming all the pictures here are somehow
not weighing in at 1000 words each).
The shape of S. herreianus’ streaked leaves
reduces their surface area exposed to sunlight,
while fine vertical translucent lines — photosynthetic
windows — allow the plant to preserve moisture
under the hot, arid conditions within the harsh
environment in which it originally evolved.
Note that the leaves can often take on a beautiful purple tone,
(although not seen much in these particular photos). It grows
well in both shade and sun, tending to take on more color in
stronger light where the purplish to brown tones, and even
colors ranging to orange, can become more pronounced.
A great plant for apartments,
Senecio herreianus thrives in succulent
gardens or in pots on sunny windowsills.
— Looks Great in Hanging Baskets —
An excellent hanging plant, this easy-care succulent enjoys
growing in suspended planters. Its beautiful, trailing pendant
stems resemble beaded necklaces, often reaching several
feet in length as they cascade down appealingly
over the sides of mid-air pots.
Suitable for growing indoors or out wherever there is
no danger of frost. Preferring light shade or morning sun in
very hot areas, S. herreianus is suitable for growing indoors
as a houseplant, in greenhouses or frost-free rock gardens.
If you are growing in containers, they enjoy spending
the summer outdoors. Wait until there is no danger
of frost and then move them back indoors in the fall.
An adaptable species with low water requirements,
Senecio copes very well with hot summers, surviving
drought as vigorously as any other hardy succulent.
Whether plump with abundant water or thinner and
drier depending on soil, water, lighting, location and
season when harvested, your cuttings should root up
fine regardless of these natural variations of growth.
Senecio herreianus likes a semi-rich cactus/succulent soil
mix with good drainage. It takes very well to container
culture and is easy to grow and care for. Looks great
and does extraordinarily well with minimal care.
Preferring bright indirect light, it also thrives
in strong sun as well as partial shade.
• Drought Tolerant •
Suitable for Xeriscaping
Very easy to grow and care for ~
Senecio herreianus looks great and
does very well with minimal care.
This tough, bulletproof plant
can take a lot of punishment
and bounce right back.
—————————
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
For sale are four (4) x 4–inch cuttings taken from
strong and healthy 'mother' plants in my collection.
Specimens typical of those for sale are shown in
the four pictures immediately preceding this text.
These are of course living products of nature
subject to natural variation. At a guaranteed
minimum you will receive at least four x 4”
stem cuttings ready for planting as shown
above. You'll get four fine naturally formed
reproductive specimens: healthy succulent
beaded-leaved stems, ready for planting
and good to grow ~
Easily propagated, these cuttings
typically have root buds already
formed at intervals on many of
their nodes, from which new
roots sprout once planted.
They grow well.
• EASY INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED •
FREE SHIPPING!
Specimens typical of those for sale are shown in the four pictures
labelled as such within this listing. These are of course living products of
nature subject to natural variation. At a guaranteed minimum you
will receive at least four x 4” stem cuttings ready for planting
as shown above. You'll receive four fine naturally formed
reproductive specimens — healthy and good to grow.
Cuttings shipped without soil or pot via US Postal Service
1st Class Mail. To prep plants for safe travel, please allow
a day or two after purchase before they ship out.
