String of Dolphins Care Guide

Care overview

Leaves resemble dolphins leaping. Avoid overwatering. Needs excellent drainage.

Light

Bright, indirect light (Can tolerate direct morning sun)

Watering

Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings

Humidity

Low to moderate (40–50% preferred)

Temperature

18–28°C

Feeding and fertiliser

Feed lightly every 6–8 weeks during spring and summer with a dilute cactus or succulent fertiliser. Do not feed unrooted propagations.

Potting mix

50% potting mix, 30% perlite, 20% fine pumice

Propagation

Stem cuttings

Support

Best grown hanging or trailing to show off dolphin-shaped leaves. Trellising isn’t typically beneficial.

Mature size

Mature indoor size varies with the species, support, light and root space. Expect gradual development into a fuller specimen rather than a fixed final size.

Semi-hydro suitability

Suitability depends on the plant, root condition and the chosen semi-hydro system.

Dormancy and winter growth

No true dormancy is normally required indoors. Growth may slow during the darker UK winter, so reduce watering and feeding in line with the plant's actual growth rate.

About this plant

String of Dolphins (× Bacurio delphinatifolius (syn. Curio × peregrinus)) is held in the Snip & Sprout permanent collection and propagated in small batches when suitable parent growth is available.

Mealybugs

Likely cause

Mealybugs may hide in leaf joints, stems, crevices and around the root zone.

What to do

Inspect regularly, isolate affected plants and identify whether the infestation is above or below the growing medium before treating.

Root or stem rot

Likely cause

Prolonged wet conditions, poor drainage and low root-zone oxygen can damage roots and favour root-rotting organisms.

What to do

Use a suitably free-draining medium, provide adequate light and allow the medium to dry to the degree appropriate for the species before watering again.

Stretched growth

Likely cause

Weak, elongated growth is commonly associated with insufficient light.

What to do

Increase light gradually to a level suitable for the species. Existing stretched growth will not become compact again.

Does String of Dolphins go dormant in winter?

No true dormancy is normally required indoors. Growth may slow during the darker UK winter, so reduce watering and feeding in line with the plant's actual growth rate.

How large can String of Dolphins grow indoors?

Mature indoor size varies with the species, support, light and root space. Expect gradual development into a fuller specimen rather than a fixed final size.

What is the most important care point for String of Dolphins?

Leaves resemble dolphins leaping. Avoid overwatering. Needs excellent drainage.