“The donkey tail was my first houseplant back in college in the ‘70s,” said Sherry, a retired architect. “Ever since then I’ve had succulents. I like them. Succulents are forgiving.

Donkey tail. (Photo by Joshua Siskin) The first plant I think of regarding this subject is string-of-pearls (Senecio/Curio rowleyanus), also known as string-of-beads.