Curio rowleyanus (H.Jacobsen) P.V.Heath 

🌱 Morphology
    A perennial succulent with a trailing and hanging habit, with slender stems that can reach more than 60 cm in length and form cascading foliage. Its leaves, almost spherical or slightly oval, measure approximately 5–8 mm in diameter and have a glaucous green hue. Each leaf has a narrow translucent longitudinal window that allows light to pass into its internal tissues. These small spheres store water and give the plant its unmistakable pearl necklace appearance.

Differential morphology compared to Curio herreanus: C. rowleyanus has practically globose, pearl-like leaves, while C. herreanus develops more elongated, pointed leaves that look like small drops or watermelons. Both species can have longitudinal translucent windows, but the overall shape of the leaf is the most useful feature for distinguishing them.

🌍 Origin, habitat, and family
Family Asteraceae, subfamily Asteroideae, tribe Senecioneae.

It is endemic to South Africa, especially the Eastern Cape province, where it grows in dry and stony environments, often protected under scrub that provides partial shade. Its stems spread over the ground and can root at the points of contact. The name Senecio rowleyanus is a very widely used historical synonym in horticulture.

❄️ Temperature — USDA 9b
It is recommended to keep it above 5°C for safe cultivation. It can withstand brief drops to near 0°C if the substrate is dry, but it does not tolerate frost or persistent cold humidity well.

☀️ Lighting
It needs abundant light, preferably intense indirect light or soft sun after gradual acclimatization. A target DLI PAR of 10–18 mol/m²/day is recommended. Insufficient light elongates the stems and separates the leaves; sudden intense sun can burn them.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Opportunistic. Its activity depends on the temperature and lighting. During growth, it is recommended to water thoroughly and let the substrate dry out completely before the next watering. Reduce watering during the winter and avoid waterlogging, one of the main causes of root and stem loss.

🌸 Flowering
It produces small inflorescences raised on peduncles that protrude from the foliage. The flower heads have white or creamy-white flowers, with prominent stamens and a characteristic sweet aroma. Flowering usually occurs during the warm months, although it depends on growing conditions.

🌿 Nutrition
During active growth, Desert CHOICE® Succulents is recommended, with a high supply of potassium and bioavailable calcium. Reduce or suspend fertilization when growth slows down.

20 cm hanging pot

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a high-tech square pot with a substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.