succulent plants

String of dolphins

× Bacurio delphinatifolius

Formerly Curio × peregrinus, Senecio × peregrinus, Kleinia × peregrina, × Senecurio delphinatifolius.

Trailing stems lined with curved, finned leaves that look like a pod of leaping dolphins. It's a hybrid of string of pearls, and it grows much like its parent, with bright light, gritty soil and not too much water.

Frost tender

By Hugh Midity · Updated

Light
Bright, indirect
A little gentle sun
Water
Soak & dry
When the soil is dry
Soil
Gritty mix
Shallow pot
Hardiness
Frost tender
Keep frost-free
Native to
Hybrid; both parents are from South Africa's Cape Provinces
Asteraceae

A plant with a lot of names

String of dolphins is a cross between string of pearls (Curio rowleyanus) and Senecio articulatus, which botanists now call Baculellum articulatum. Because its parents sit in different genera, it was given a hybrid genus of its own in 2020, × Bacurio. Kew’s Plants of the World Online accepts the name × Bacurio delphinatifolius. The second word refers to the leaves, which look like small leaping dolphins.

You’ll still see it sold as Senecio peregrinus or Curio × peregrinus. Kew notes that those older names were never validly published, and Senecio peregrinus without the × is the name of a different plant, from Bolivia and Argentina. The plant on your shelf hasn’t changed, only the label.

Light

Bright, indirect light, the same as its string of pearls parent. A little gentle direct sun is fine, but strong sun can scorch the leaves. In low light the stems stretch and the dolphins get small and far apart.

Water

Water thoroughly, then let the soil dry out before you water again, and water less in winter. The fleshy leaves store water, so it copes with a missed drink far better than with soggy soil. Soft, squishy leaves are the warning sign of too much.

Soil & pots

Use a gritty, fast-draining cactus mix in a pot with a drainage hole. As with string of pearls, a shallow pot, ideally clay, dries out faster and lowers the risk of rot.

Temperature

We haven't found published temperature limits for the hybrid itself, so treat it like string of pearls. Normal room temperatures suit it, a cooler winter rest around 55–60°F (13–16°C) is ideal, and it should never see frost.

Is string of dolphins safe for pets?

Pet safety not yet confirmed. Neither the ASPCA nor NC State Extension lists string of dolphins, so we haven't found a reliable answer on pets. One parent, string of pearls, is on the ASPCA's list of toxic succulents, so it makes sense to hang this one out of reach too. We haven't found a reliable source yet, so keep it out of reach of pets that chew plants.

Propagation

Like string of pearls, it roots from short stem cuttings. Take them in spring or summer, while the plant is growing.

  1. Snip a few healthy stem tips, each 3–4 inches long.
  2. Pull the leaves off the bottom inch or so of each cutting.
  3. Lay the cuttings on barely damp gritty mix and cover the bare stem with a little more mix.
  4. Mist the surface now and then until new growth shows it has rooted. Don't soak it.
How to propagate succulents →

Common problems

Soft, squishy leaves Overwatering and root rot → Shriveled leaves on dry soil Thirst → Long, bare stems with small leaves Not enough light → White fluff along the stems Mealybugs →

FAQ

Is string of dolphins toxic to cats and dogs?

We don't know for sure. Neither the ASPCA nor NC State Extension lists it. Its parent, string of pearls, can cause vomiting and lethargy if eaten, so keep it out of reach and call your vet if a pet chews some.

Is string of dolphins the same as string of pearls?

No, but they're related. String of dolphins is a hybrid with string of pearls as one parent. Its leaves are curved, with little fins, rather than round beads.

What is the botanical name of string of dolphins?

Kew's Plants of the World Online accepts × Bacurio delphinatifolius, published in 2020. It's still widely sold as Senecio peregrinus or Curio × peregrinus. See below for why.

Why are my string of dolphins leaves squishy?

Almost always too much water. Let the soil dry right out, check that the pot drains, and look at the stems at soil level. If they're soft and brown, take cuttings from the healthy tips and start again.

Sources

  1. × Bacurio delphinatifolius Gideon F.Sm. & Figueiredo: Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · accessed October 20, 2026
  2. Curio × peregrinus (G.Kunkel) P.V.Heath: Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · accessed October 20, 2026
  3. × Bacurio delphinatifolius: International Plant Names Index · accessed October 20, 2026
  4. Smith & Figueiredo (2020), a new nothogenus, × Bacurio: Phytotaxa 458(1) · accessed October 20, 2026
  5. Baculellum articulatum (L.f.) L.V.Ozerova & A.C.Timonin: Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · accessed October 20, 2026
  6. Senecio peregrinus: RHS Plants · accessed October 20, 2026
  7. Cats Plant List: ASPCA Animal Poison Control · accessed October 20, 2026
  8. Dogs Plant List: ASPCA Animal Poison Control · accessed October 20, 2026
  9. Are Succulents Safe to Have Around Pets?: ASPCA · accessed October 20, 2026
  10. Curio rowleyanus: North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox · accessed October 20, 2026
  11. String of Pearls, Curio rowleyanus: Wisconsin Horticulture, UW–Madison Extension · accessed October 20, 2026
  12. String of dolphins and pearls and philodendrons #854703: Ask Extension · accessed October 20, 2026
  13. Mix colors, shapes, sizes for combination containers: Mississippi State University Extension · accessed October 20, 2026

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