Plant guide
String of turtles
Peperomia prostrata
String of turtles is considered non-toxic to cats. Its small, patterned leaves trail over a pot. It is a peperomia, not the toxic string of pearls plant.
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach.
What this guide covers: Peperomia prostrata only. Confirm the botanical label; a photograph cannot identify a visitor’s specimen.
Photo:
Photo details
NC State Extension — Peperomia prostrata
By Jerzy Opiola
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Original photograph unchanged; proportionally resized for review and display.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
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Photo:
Photo details
NC State Extension — Peperomia prostrata
By Jerzy Opiola
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Original photograph unchanged; proportionally resized for review and display.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
String of turtles plant
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Non-toxic does not mean edible. Chewing plants can still upset your cat’s stomach.
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Look for Peperomia prostrata and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Peperomia prostrata
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
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How to grow this plant
Peperomia prostrata only; the care categories summarize the cited growing guidance.
- Light
- Bright indirect light
Bright, indirect light is preferred; lower light is tolerated but may reduce leaf color.
Tolerates lower light; growth or flowering may be reduced. - Watering
- Keep evenly moist
Keep the mix evenly moist without overwatering.
- Temperature
- Growing range: 68–75°F / 20–24°C
The reviewed growing range is 68–75°F; avoid cold drafts.
- Humidity
- Typical indoor humidity
Average to higher humidity is suitable.
- Potting
- Use a potting mix that drains well.
- Through the year
- It tolerates a snug pot and works well in a hanging container or terrarium.
Growing-guide sources
- Peperomia prostrata identity and growing guidance ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-17
Exact named plant; outdoor and seasonal conditions retain their original context.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-17. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.
Sources & review
- String of turtles cat/pet safety reference ↗VPIS · Accessed
Listed by the source as Peperomia species. VPIS lists Peperomia species as pet-safe; NC State identifies P. prostrata. This is a disclosed genus-to-species narrowing. Do not infer safety from the shared “string of” nickname.
- String of turtles cat/pet safety reference ↗VPIS · Accessed 2026-10-17
- Peperomia prostrata botanical identity ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-17
VPIS lists Peperomia species as pet-safe; NC State identifies P. prostrata. This is a disclosed genus-to-species narrowing. Do not infer safety from the shared “string of” nickname.
- String of turtles: supporting reference ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-17
Safety last reviewed .