Plants / String of Dolphins

String of Dolphins

Senecio peregrinus

Also known as: Dolphin Plant

⚠ïļ Toxic to petsAsteraceaeEasy to propagate

A complete guide to growing and propagating String of Dolphins: its care needs, how to take cuttings and root them, how long propagation takes, and how to fix the most common problems.

String of Dolphins care at a glance

☀ïļ Light
Bright, indirect light with some direct sun keeps the dolphin-shaped leaves plump.
💧 Water
Water when the mix is fully dry; the succulent leaves store water, so err on the dry side.
ðŸŠī Soil
Gritty, fast-draining succulent mix.
ðŸ’Ļ Humidity
Low to average humidity.
ðŸū Toxicity
Toxic to cats and dogs (Senecio; can cause vomiting and irritation if eaten).

Track your string of dolphins cuttings & propagation in SnipLog

Log when you took each cutting, set rooting reminders, and watch your propagation timeline — free on iPhone.

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How to propagate String of Dolphins

Stem cuttings (soil or water)

Difficulty: EasyTimeline: Roots in 3-6 weeks.
  1. Cut a 4-6 inch strand and strip the lowest few leaves to bare a node.
  2. Let the cut end callus for a day.
  3. Lay the strand on gritty mix so bare nodes touch the soil, or root the node in water.
  4. Keep bright and barely moist until the nodes root.

Common String of Dolphins problems & fixes

Shriveled, wrinkled leaves

Underwatering — give a thorough soak and let it drain fully, then wait until the soil is bone dry.

Mushy, translucent leaves or stems

Overwatering and rot. Cut back watering, repot into a gritty fast-draining mix, and remove any rotted roots.

Stretched, pale growth

Too little light (etiolation). Move to bright, direct light; behead and re-root the stretched top to reset a compact shape.

Track your string of dolphins cuttings & propagation in SnipLog

Log when you took each cutting, set rooting reminders, and watch your propagation timeline — free on iPhone.

Get SnipLog →

Toxicity notes are a general guide based on ASPCA-style classifications — if a pet ingests any houseplant, contact your vet. Care needs vary with your home's conditions.