UK pruning guide · RHS timing
When to prune curio peregrinus in the UK
Why the timing differs here
British pruning timing is set by the last frost rather than the calendar. The RHS advises against winter pruning for most plants because it pushes out soft growth that a late frost then kills — and UK last frosts run from March in the south-west to mid-May in the north.
How to prune curio peregrinus
Snip dead or rotted sections cleanly with sterilised scissors. To trim long trails, cut just above a leaf node; the cutting can be rooted in soil. Let cut ends callous for a day before propagating.
String of dolphins (Curio peregrinus) is a trailing succulent that rarely needs pruning. Remove any shrivelled, rotted, or dead stems as they appear. You can trim overly long trailing stems to propagate new plants. Beyond that, this succulent needs no routine pruning.
More curio peregrinus care for British gardens
Care at a glance
Pruning curio peregrinus in the UK — FAQ
When should I prune curio peregrinus in the UK?
Prune curio peregrinus in spring, once growth resumes. British pruning timing is set by the last frost rather than the calendar. The RHS advises against winter pruning for most plants because it pushes out soft growth that a late frost then kills — and UK last frosts run from March in the south-west to mid-May in the north.
Is it illegal to prune curio peregrinus in spring or summer in the UK?
There is no nesting-bird restriction that realistically applies to curio peregrinus, since birds do not nest in it. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 still protects any active nest you do find anywhere in the garden — the rule is about the nest, not the plant.
How do you prune curio peregrinus?
Snip dead or rotted sections cleanly with sterilised scissors. To trim long trails, cut just above a leaf node; the cutting can be rooted in soil. Let cut ends callous for a day before propagating.
How often does curio peregrinus need pruning in a British garden?
Rarely; remove dead growth as needed. String of dolphins (Curio peregrinus) is a trailing succulent that rarely needs pruning. Remove any shrivelled, rotted, or dead stems as they appear. You can trim overly long trailing stems to propagate new plants. Beyond that, this succulent needs no routine pruning.
Why is UK pruning timing different from American advice?
Most pruning guides online are written for US conditions and anchored to USDA zones. Britain's maritime climate gives milder winters but later, less predictable last frosts — from March in the south-west to mid-May in the north — so the RHS advises against winter pruning for most plants: it pushes out soft growth that a late frost then kills. Britain also has the nesting-bird law, which has no US equivalent.