Photo: Jerzy Opioła · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
String of Turtles
Peperomia prostrata
Tiny patterned leaves like little turtle shells on fine trailing stems. Slow but very charming.
- Terrarium type
- Closed or Open
- Terrarium size
- Small
- Light
- Medium to bright indirect
- Care level
- Easy
- Growth habit
- Trailing
- Pet safety
- Non-toxic to pets
Growing String of Turtles in a terrarium
Where to place it
Let the fine stems trail from a raised edge under medium to bright indirect light, which keeps the turtle-shell patterning crisp.
Watering & humidity
Semi-succulent, so let the top of the substrate dry slightly between waterings. It suits either a closed or open vessel; keep it on the drier side in a sealed one.
Watch out for
It's slow-growing, so be patient, and don't overwater — the small leaves shrivel or drop if the roots stay wet.
Reference: Peperomia prostrata on Wikipedia.
String of Turtles FAQ
Can String of Turtles grow in a closed terrarium?+
Yes — String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata) thrives in a closed terrarium. The sealed glass traps the constant, high humidity it needs, and it tolerates the lower light inside a covered vessel.
Can String of Turtles grow in an open terrarium?+
Yes. String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata) is well suited to an open, unsealed terrarium where air moves freely and excess moisture can escape — exactly the conditions it prefers.
What size terrarium does String of Turtles need?+
String of Turtles suits a small terrarium — jars & bottles. It has a trailing growth habit, so plan its position with that in mind and trim or divide it if it starts to outgrow the glass.
Is String of Turtles easy to care for?+
String of Turtles is rated easy to care for in a terrarium. Tiny patterned leaves like little turtle shells on fine trailing stems. Slow but very charming. It's slow-growing, so be patient, and don't overwater — the small leaves shrivel or drop if the roots stay wet.
How much light does String of Turtles need?+
String of Turtles does best in medium to bright indirect light. Keep it out of direct sun, which magnifies through glass and scorches leaves. Let the fine stems trail from a raised edge under medium to bright indirect light, which keeps the turtle-shell patterning crisp.
Is String of Turtles safe for cats and dogs?+
String of turtles (Peperomia prostrata) is non-toxic to cats and dogs — peperomias are pet-safe according to the ASPCA.
