String of Hearts vs String of Pearls
Ceropegia woodii vs Curio rowleyanus
Two famous "string of" trailing succulents — but pet safety and difficulty differ sharply, and shoppers regularly mix them up.
String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii) and String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) are constantly confused — both are trailing succulents named "string of something", both prefer bright indirect light, both are sold side-by-side at nurseries. The decisive differences: String of Hearts is non-toxic to cats and dogs per the ASPCA; String of Pearls is toxic. String of Hearts has heart-shaped marbled silver-and-purple leaves on a thread-thin vine. String of Pearls has spherical green bead-leaves that look like a pea pod necklace.
Quick verdict
| Use case | Winner |
|---|---|
| For pet households | String of Hearts |
| For first-time plant owners | String of Hearts |
| For low-light rooms | String of Hearts |
| For drought / forgetful watering | String of Pearls |
| For small spaces | Either works |
Side-by-side details
| Trait | String of Hearts | String of Pearls |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Bright indirect | Bright indirect |
| Water frequency | Every 10–18 days | Every 14–21 days |
| Humidity needs | 30–60% | 30–50% |
| Drought-tolerant | Yes | Yes |
| Difficulty | Easy | Moderate |
| Mature height | 15 cm | 5 cm |
| Growth pattern | trailing | trailing |
| Pet safety | Pet-safe | Toxic to cats and dogs |
Pet safety side-by-side
String of Hearts
Pet-safe
Non-toxic to both cats and dogs per the ASPCA. Safe to grow with pets in the room.
String of Pearls
Toxic to cats and dogs
Cats: moderate severity
Dogs: moderate severity
Our take
Pick String of Hearts if you have pets — it's the safer, easier, and more low-light tolerant of the two. Pick String of Pearls only if you have a sunny pet-free spot and want the iconic pea-shaped trailing aesthetic. The pearls demand bright direct light most homes cannot provide.
Read String of Hearts care guide Read String of Pearls care guide
Frequently asked questions
Which is easier to care for, String of Hearts or String of Pearls?
String of Hearts is easier. String of Hearts difficulty: easy. String of Pearls difficulty: moderate.
Is String of Hearts or String of Pearls safer around cats and dogs?
String of Hearts. String of Hearts: Pet-safe. String of Pearls: Toxic to cats and dogs. Pet safety data is sourced from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
Can String of Hearts or String of Pearls handle low light?
String of Hearts. String of Hearts prefers bright indirect. String of Pearls prefers bright indirect.
How often should I water String of Hearts compared to String of Pearls?
String of Hearts: every 10-18 days. String of Pearls: every 14-21 days. Both tolerate missed waterings.