String of Watermelon Plant Care and Growing Tips

String of Watermelon, also popular as String of Melons or Senecio herreianus, is a unique and visually stunning trailing succulent that can be great for small spaces!

Native to South Africa, this succulent plant is a member of the Asteraceae family. It’s a trailing succulent that makes it perfect for hanging baskets. The plant can dangle down several feet once matured.

The pea-like green beads or leaves are what give it its common names like “String of Beads” or “String of Watermelon.” These succulent beads are plump, round, and have a pattern that somewhat resembles the stripes of a watermelon, especially when they’re slightly stressed and take on a light purplish tone.

When it blooms, the String of Watermelon produces small, fluffy white flowers with a cinnamon-like scent.

Botanical Name: Senecio herreanus

You can propagate String of Watermelon by:

Stem Cuttings is the easiest and most commonly used method.

A well-draining soil mix is essential. Succulent or cactus potting mixes are ideal for String of Watermelon. These mixes prevent water from sitting around the roots, which can lead to root rot.

A slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 6.0 to 7.5) is preferable. For best growth:

Tip: It’s better to underwater than overwater. The beads/leaves of the plant store water, giving it the ability to withstand drought-like conditions.

String of Watermelon thrives in a moderately humid environment, with ideal levels between 50-60%. If the humidity is too low, the leaves may start to shrivel or curl. One way to increase humidity is to mist the plant regularly or place a humidifier nearby.