Terrarium Creations
Plant Library

String of Turtles

Peperomia prostrata

Family: Piperaceae

String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata)

Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Difficulty
Easy
Light
Bright, indirect
Water
Let top dry
Humidity
Medium
Size
Trailing to 30 cm
Closed terrarium
Better in an open/airy setup

String of Turtles is a dainty trailing peperomia whose tiny round leaves are patterned like miniature tortoise shells โ€” a charming cascader for the front edge of a terrarium.

Light

Bright, indirect light preserves the leaf patterning and keeps growth tight.

Water & humidity

Semi-succulent โ€” let the top of the substrate dry between waterings. It stores water in its leaves and rots if kept soggy.

In the terrarium

Best in open or airy, well-ventilated terrariums rather than a wet sealed jar, as it dislikes constant saturation. Let it trail over hardscape or the container lip.

Tip: Don't bury the delicate stems โ€” rest them on the surface and they'll root where they touch.

Common problems

  • Mushy, translucent leaves = overwatering; let it dry out more.
  • Faded pattern = insufficient light.
Recommended for your terrarium
Hand-picked Amazon products for this guide โ€” at no extra cost to you.

Frequently asked questions

Can String of Turtles go in a closed terrarium?

It prefers a more open, airy setup โ€” the constant wetness of a sealed jar can cause its semi-succulent leaves to rot.

How often should I water String of Turtles?

Only once the top of the substrate has dried. It holds water in its leaves and is easily overwatered.

Care information is a general guide; conditions vary. Some links on this site are affiliate links that help support Terrarium Creations.