Repotting guide

When & how to repot String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata)

Also called String of Turtles, Trailing Peperomia, Magic Marmer.

More about string of turtles

About String of Turtles

Peperomia prostrata · also called String of Turtles, Trailing Peperomia · houseplant

String of Turtles is a small trailing semi-succulent peperomia prized for round leaves patterned like tortoise shells. Its one defining need is restraint with water: the fleshy stems and leaves store moisture, so it rots fast in soggy compost and should only be watered once the top of a free-draining mix has dried.

Mature size: Trails to roughly 20-30 cm (occasionally longer) with a spread of 10-50 cm; reaches its ultimate size in about 2-5 years, per the RHS.

Watch for — Mushy, rotting stems and leaves: Overwatering and slow-draining soil are the prime cause; stems go soft and translucent from the base. Let the mix dry between waterings and pot in a chunky, free-draining medium.

How to tell string of turtles needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For string of turtles, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot string of turtles

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. String of Turtles's growth habit — a compact, slow-growing trailing perennial with wiry stems that cascade over a pot rim or hanging basket, studded with small, rounded, fleshy leaves marked like miniature turtle shells. — sets the pace. String of Turtles is a small trailing semi-succulent peperomia prized for round leaves patterned like tortoise shells. Its one defining need is restraint with water: the fleshy stems and leaves store moisture, so it rots fast in soggy compost and should only be watered once the top of a free-draining mix has dried.

What size pot to step string of turtles up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. String of Turtles stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot string of turtles

Spring or summer, while string of turtles is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting string of turtles

Repot dry. Do not water string of turtles for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty free-draining, chunky houseplant or cactus mix ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set string of turtles at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep string of turtles completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for string of turtles

String of Turtles wants free-draining, chunky houseplant or cactus mix. Use a light, fast-draining medium rather than dense compost, since this epiphytic peperomia roots shallowly and resents wet feet. A blend of peat-free houseplant compost with added perlite, or a cactus mix loosened with orchid bark and coco coir, gives the aeration that prevents root rot while still holding light nutrients. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting string of turtles — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot string of turtles?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for string of turtles. Repot string of turtles every 2–3 years into a snug pot of free-draining, chunky houseplant or cactus mix, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does string of turtles need?

When is the best time of year to repot string of turtles?

Should you water string of turtles after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot string of turtles into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise string of turtles after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting string of turtles. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.