Curio

Curio rowleyanus

String of Pearls

A trailing succulent from the arid Cape Provinces of South Africa, with bead-like leaves that store water against drought. It wants gritty, fast-draining mix and deep but infrequent watering: let the soil dry almost completely, then water only when the beads begin to look slightly flattened or soft. Give it bright indirect light and good airflow; sitting wet is the surest way to rot it.

Curio radicans

Creeping Berry

Curio radicans is a trailing succulent from the dry summer-rainfall regions of southern Africa, with water-storing leaves that hold reserves through drought. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and let the soil dry out almost completely before watering — water only when the top two inches are dry and the leaves begin to feel slightly soft. It will tolerate some direct sun but is safest in a very bright spot out of harsh midday glare.

Curio talinoides

Bluestraws

Curio talinoides is a succulent subshrub from the Cape Provinces of South Africa, with fleshy, water-storing leaves adapted to dry, sunny conditions. Give it the brightest spot you have, ideally several hours of direct sun, and a gritty, fast-draining mix. Water deeply but infrequently, only once the mix has dried out completely — wait until the soil is dry all the way through, as it stores water and rots if kept wet.

Curio ficoides

Blue Chalkstick

Curio ficoides is a leaf-succulent from the dry Cape Provinces of South Africa, with fleshy blue-green leaves that store water against drought. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and bright light, including some direct sun, and let the soil dry out fully between waterings — water only when the mix is dry all the way through and the leaves begin to feel slightly soft. It rots quickly if kept wet, so err toward neglect.