How to Repot a String of Turtles

Peperomia prostrata

Reviewed by Kiersten Rankel, M.S.

Quick Answer

Repot a String of Turtles every 2 to 3 years into a shallow pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot. Use a chunky, well-draining mix of standard potting soil, orchid bark, and perlite. Spring through early summer is the best time, when the plant is putting out fresh growth.

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How to Know It's Time to Repot

String of Turtles has a small, shallow root system that fills its pot slowly, so the signs of a too-small pot are subtle. Watch for these four signals.

1

Roots circle the bottom of the pot or push out through the drainage holes.
2

The plant has roughly doubled in size since you last potted it up.
3

Leaves at the base of the strands yellow and drop while the tips look healthy.
4

Soil dries out within a day or two of a thorough watering.

One sign on its own isn't enough to act on, but two or more together means it's time. Most String of Turtles need a fresh pot every 2 to 3 years, since the small root system doesn't fill a pot quickly.

The Best Time of Year to Repot

String of Turtles recovers fastest from repotting during its active growing season, when warmth and bright indirect light speed up root recovery. Spring through early summer is the sweet spot.

Avoid repotting in winter, when the plant is essentially dormant and the freshly cut roots are slow to heal. Use the map below to pin down your window.

North

Apr – Jul

Mid

Mar – Aug

South

Feb – Sep

How to Choose a Pot and Soil Mix

Pot Size

Move up to a pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot. Look for a shallow pot rather than a deep one, since the roots stay near the surface and extra wet soil below them invites rot.

Pot Material

Terracotta and unglazed clay are the best choices for String of Turtles. The breathable walls keep the soil from staying soggy underneath the small root system.

Plastic and glazed ceramic work too, but you'll need to water less often to compensate for the slower drying. Whichever material you pick, make sure the pot has drainage holes. This plant rots quickly in standing water.

Soil Mix

Mix two parts standard potting soil with one part orchid bark and one part perlite for the chunky, well-draining blend String of Turtles wants. The bark and perlite create air pockets that keep the small roots happy and prevent the soggy soil that causes rot.

Skip moisture-control formulas and dense peat-heavy mixes. Both hold too much water for these roots.

How to Repot a String of Turtles, Step by Step

1

Water lightly the day before. Give the plant a light drink the day before repotting. Slightly moist soil holds the root ball together when you slide it out and keeps the fine roots from tearing as you work.
2

Pick the new pot. Choose a shallow pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot, with drainage holes. Layer an inch of fresh chunky mix in the bottom so the root ball will sit at the same height it did before.
3

Lift the strands off first. Gently drape the trailing strands up over the edge of the pot, or rest them on a tray. The leaves bruise and snap easily, so handle the plant by the soil ball whenever possible.
4

Slide the plant out. Tip the pot onto its side and gently work the root ball loose. If the plant is stuck, run a butter knife around the inside edge of the pot to release it. Try not to disturb the shallow root mat.
5

Set it in the new pot. Center the plant at the same depth it was growing before, with the strands right at the soil surface. Fill in around the sides with fresh chunky mix, pressing gently as you go to remove air pockets.
6

Water and place in bright indirect light. Water slowly until you see it run out the drainage holes. Set the plant somewhere bright but out of harsh direct sun for the first couple of weeks. Hold off on fertilizer for 4 to 6 weeks so the roots can heal.

What to Expect After Repotting

Weeks 1 to 2

A few leaves at the base may yellow and drop as the plant adjusts. As long as the strands stay attached at the soil line and the tips look healthy, the plant is fine.

Keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy, give the plant bright indirect light, and skip fertilizer for now.

Weeks 3 to 6

New leaves forming at the tips of the strands, or fresh side shoots from the base, are the clearest signal that the plant has settled in.

Resume your normal watering rhythm of waiting until the top inch of soil is dry. Start half-strength balanced fertilizer once new growth is visible, and build up to full strength over the next two or three feedings.

Got More Questions?

Does String of Turtles like to be root-bound?

Somewhat. The small root system doesn't need much space, and a slightly snug pot helps prevent overwatering. Don't repot just because the pot looks small — wait until you see clear signs the roots have filled it.

Can I repot my String of Turtles right after I bring it home?

Give it two to four weeks to adjust to your home's light and humidity first, unless it's clearly root-bound or sitting in soggy nursery soil. A new environment plus a new pot at the same time is two stressors at once.

What if my pot doesn't have drainage holes?

Don't repot directly into it. String of Turtles rots quickly in standing water, so plant in a nursery pot with drainage and slip that inside the decorative pot. If you want to use the decorative pot directly, drilling works for unglazed terracotta, but glazed ceramic and thin pots tend to shatter. Use a diamond bit with a slow drip of water if you try it.

Can I propagate the strands while I repot?

Yes, and it's the easiest time to do it. Snip a few healthy strand sections with at least three leaves each, lay them on top of fresh moist soil in a small pot, and press the leaf bases gently into contact with the soil. They will root from where the leaf stem meets the strand.

Should I trim the long strands when I repot?

Only if you want to keep the plant compact. Trimming back the longest strands encourages branching from the base, which makes the plant look fuller. Save the trimmings to root into the same pot or a new one.

Why do the leaves look pale after repotting?

Slight paling for the first week or two is a normal stress response while the roots reestablish in fresh soil. As long as the leaves stay firm and don't shrivel or drop in large numbers, the plant is settling in. Color usually returns once new growth begins.

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About This Article

Kiersten Rankel, M.S.

Botanical Data Lead at Greg · Plant Scientist

About the Author

Kiersten Rankel holds an M.S. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from Tulane University. A certified Louisiana Master Naturalist, she has over a decade of experience in science communication, with research spanning corals, cypress trees, marsh grasses, and more. At Greg, she curates species data and verifies care recommendations against botanical research.

See Kiersten Rankel's full background on LinkedIn.

Editorial Process

Repotting guidance verified against Peperomia prostrata growth data from Greg's botanical database, cross-referenced with USDA hardiness zone data and published horticultural research.

8,839+ Greg users growing this plant

USDA hardiness zones 10a–12b

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