Plate No. 43

String of Dolphins

Curio × peregrinus

"A pod of dolphins mid-leap"

Native to

A cultivated hybrid of two South African species

Botanical illustration of String of Dolphins
Curio × peregrinus — drawn from life
History

A brief account

A garden hybrid of Curio articulatus and Curio rowleyanus, first raised in Japan. Its curved leaves, complete with tiny 'fins,' resemble a school of leaping dolphins. Prone to reverting — keep bright and cool for the truest shape.

How to care for

Place String of Dolphins according to its light needs: Bright indirect light with a little morning sun. For watering, every two weeks in summer; keep drier in winter. For the potting medium, use fast-draining succulent mix. Good drainage is essential: let surplus water escape freely and never leave the roots standing in a wet saucer. 10–25°C. Frost-tender. Check the compost before watering instead of following a rigid calendar, since light, temperature, pot size and season all affect how quickly it dries. During slower growth, reduce watering and wait longer between drinks.

How to propagate

Stem cuttings root readily on damp soil. Propagation is most reliable during the plant's active growing season, when warmth and good light help new roots establish. Start with clean tools and healthy material, and keep the new plant in conditions appropriate for the parent. Where a cutting or division creates a wound, allow the surface to dry before planting unless the method calls for immediate rooting in water or moist mix. Once roots form and fresh growth appears, gradually move the young String of Dolphins into its normal watering routine; excess moisture is especially risky while the root system is still small.
Cultivation

Quick tips for care & planting

Light
Bright indirect light with a little morning sun.
Water
Every two weeks in summer; keep drier in winter.
Soil
Fast-draining succulent mix.
Temperature
10–25°C. Frost-tender.
Propagation
Stem cuttings root readily on damp soil.