Plate No. 53
String of Turtles
Peperomia prostrata
"A trail of tiny turtle shells"
Native to
Rainforests of Brazil, on damp mossy tree trunks

History
A brief account
Named for the striking resemblance of its small, round, patterned leaves to miniature turtle shells, this Brazilian epiphyte was little known outside botanical collections until the houseplant revival of the 2010s propelled it to global popularity. Each leaf is a tiny mosaic of deep green and silvery-white veining, and slow-growing trails may take years to reach a foot in length.
How to care for
Place String of Turtles according to its light needs: Bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun which bleaches the pattern. For watering, water lightly when the top of the soil feels dry — roughly every ten days. For the potting medium, use loose, airy mix with orchid bark and perlite. Good drainage is essential: let surplus water escape freely and never leave the roots standing in a wet saucer.
18–26°C year round. Keep above 12°C. 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
Lay a stem across damp mix; it roots at every node. 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 Turtles 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. Avoid direct sun which bleaches the pattern.
- Water
- Water lightly when the top of the soil feels dry — roughly every ten days.
- Soil
- Loose, airy mix with orchid bark and perlite.
- Temperature
- 18–26°C year round. Keep above 12°C.
- Propagation
- Lay a stem across damp mix; it roots at every node.