String of dolphins (dolphin plant) care

Light

String of dolphins thrives in bright indirect light — the conditions just back from a sunny window, with plenty of ambient brightness but rarely any direct rays on the leaves themselves. Bright indirect light with hours of direct morning sun; low light flattens the dolphin shape. If you are not sure whether your spot is bright enough, a free phone lux-meter app at midday is the quickest way to check; aim for 800-1,500 lux.

Watering

Water string of dolphins when soil is dry, every 10-14 days. The actual day count varies with pot size, light level, and the season — the finger test (or, better, lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a calendar. Empty any drainage saucer after watering so the pot is never sitting in water. Succulent leaves store water; rot from overwatering is the main failure.

Soil and pot

String of dolphins grows best in free-draining succulent mix. Cactus mix with 30% extra perlite. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

String of dolphins sits happiest at around 30-50% humidity and 18-26°C (65-80°F). Prefers dry air. If you keep the room above 18 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed string of dolphins sparingly. Quarter-strength succulent feed monthly in spring and summer. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on string of dolphins in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Loss of dolphin shape — Insufficient light or overwatering; bright light preserves the leaf shape.
• Mushy stems — Overwatering; reduce frequency and improve drainage.
• Shrivelled leaves — Underwatered for too long.
• Mealybugs — Dab with alcohol-soaked cotton bud.

Propagation

Stem cuttings root in dry succulent mix in 2-3 weeks. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

String of dolphins is mildly toxic to pets. ASPCA lists Senecio species as mildly toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Ingestion causes vomiting and GI upset. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

String of dolphins deep-dive guides

Every aspect of string of dolphins care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• String of dolphins watering schedule
• String of dolphins light requirements
• Best soil mix for string of dolphins
• String of dolphins fertilizing guide
• When to repot string of dolphins
• How to propagate string of dolphins
• String of dolphins growth rate & size
• String of dolphins cold hardiness
• String of dolphins temperature & humidity
• Is string of dolphins toxic to cats & dogs?
• Getting string of dolphins to bloom

Related guides

String of dolphins is also commonly called dolphin plant or flying dolphins.

• Snake plant care — light, water and common problems
• Dracaena care — light, water and common problems
• Peperomia care — light, water and common problems
• All 200 plant care guides in the Growli library