Curio rowleyanus/Senecio rowleyanus or more commonly, the String of Pearls plant is one of the most popular and adorable ornamental succulent species. This interesting plant with spherical leaves is very popular on Instagram, where you will often see it as a hanging plant. However, the interesting thing is that in its native habitat, in African deserts, this succulent is a terrestrial plant that grows as a ground cover.
The wonderful cascading foliage of the String of Pearls instantly makes you think of it in a hanging basket in your home. This plant will provide a spectacular view wherever you put it, whether you want to spruce up a dull corner or make your living room or your office space more pleasant. The unique appearance of this succulent ornamental combined with its low-demanding nature makes this plant a perfect choice for any space that could do with a little bit of greenery.
There is no secret that, once you have one String of Pearls in your plant collection, you will naturally want more specimens around to keep you company. Since this is the case for most gardeners that love succulents, we are happy to share the best propagation methods for this versatile plant. All of them are easy to get through, requiring no prior experience with gardening or with propagating plants in general. The good news is that if you wish to try your hand at propagating your String of Pearls plant, you will have as many tiny plants as you can imagine in no time!
There are three methods you can use to propagate your String of Pearls: stem cuttings, division, and seeds. You can opt for any of these depending on the needs and expectations that you have. If you want to spend more time with your String of Pearls and also make many new plants, the method that uses stem cuttings is the perfect choice for you. For instant gratification, it is best to go for the easiest and fastest one – division. At last, in case you are the risk-taking type, wait for your String of Pearls to produce seeds and take action.
Are you excited to see what each of these methods is about? Keep reading to find out everything that is to know about propagating your String of Pearls!
When to Propagate Your String of Pearls
The String of Pearls grows pretty slow during the cold winter months. Because of this, it is best to propagate this plant when its growth is most vigorous and temperatures are more on the warmer side. Although the most common time to propagate it is in spring and summer, you can also do it in early autumn if you live in a warmer climate.
No matter what method you choose to try when propagating your String of Pearls, we suggest you keep the process indoors. This way, you will be able to control the overall conditions of the environment and make changes right away if something seems off. If you want to enjoy your new String of Pearls plants outside, you can move them once the winter has passed and the warmth of spring is present.
Before you propagate your String of Pearls plant it is important to mention that this plant is toxic to humans and pets. This means that it is highly recommended to use protective gloves when handling it and to be extra careful to keep it in places where your furry companions will not be tempted to munch on it or to play with it. The long stems with round spherical leaves can be tempting, especially for curious felines, so growing this plant might not be a good idea if you are the proud owner of one or more playful cats.
Propagating String of Pearls Using Cuttings
If you want to use your String of Pearls cuttings to produce new plants the secret stays in the quality of the stem cuttings you take. In other words, you will have to use young, healthy stems in this method and also cut just below a leaf node. The leaf nodes are the exact place from which the new roots will emerge, so your cuttings must have at least one.
Once you find the perfect stems to use for propagation, take cuttings of about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) with a sharp, clean knife. Since they are particularly thin, you must allow them to heal for about 1 to 3 days before planting them. This step will allow the cuttings to root better and the healing time will depend directly on the warmth.
We recommend you strip off all the pearls (leaves) you can find on the top of each String of Pearls cutting before placing them in the soil. This will make the cuttings less heavy at the top, helping you provide better support for them during the propagation time.
When the stem cuttings have healed, you can start preparing the propagation medium for them. Take a pot for each two stem cuttings you have, making sure it measures about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) in diameter and features drainage holes at the bottom. For the best growth possible, you should fill the containers with a potting mix designed for succulents and cacti. This particular substrate will provide the cuttings with the perfect combination of moisture-retaining and drainage.
As mentioned above, you can plant two String of Pearls cuttings in one pot. You should plant the cuttings so at least 3 or 4 leaf nodes are in the dirt. The next step consists of securing the cuttings with floral pins, which are life savers when you propagate thin-stemmed plants like our buddy right here. Allow the cuttings to settle in their new home for several days, then give them a nice, generous drink.
The String of Pearls cuttings will need lots of bright but indirect sunlight to perform well. Move the pots to a location with this kind of exposure and make sure it also comes along with warm temperatures.
When it comes to watering, the frequency of watering sessions will depend on the environmental conditions of your home. In general, you will need to keep the propagation medium of the cuttings lightly moist but not soaking wet. On the other hand, the String of Pearls cuttings will not appreciate experiencing a dry site, so avoid letting them completely dry out. It is wise to water the cuttings whenever the top half of the soil feels dry.
If you give your String of Pearls cuttings enough attention and a suitable caring routine, they will typically show up with roots after 3 to 5 weeks from planting. You can feed your temptation of taking the cuttings out for root checking without worrying about their overall performance. In case the cuttings do not have roots just yet, it is completely fine! You can plant them back in their growing medium and wait for the magic to happen.
Propagating String of Pearls Through Division
This is undoubtedly the easiest and fastest way to obtain more String of Pearls plants for your home. However, you can divide your plant only when it has reached maturity, as it will handle the stress of this process much better.
During their active growing period, from spring through summer, you can utilize your mature String of Pearls for propagation through division. First things first, you need to remove the plant from its current growing medium. To do this, you can simply pull its rootball out of the potting mix and remove the excess substrate you find around the root. After this step, cut the rootball into several chunks and make sure each part has at least one stem attached to it.
From now on, you can look at the divided sections like they are individual String of Pearls plants and treat them accordingly. Plant each chunk into its permanent spot (usually a small-sized container) and water the new growing medium until it feels damp to the touch. Spoiling your new String of Pearls plants with water from the beginning will give them a nice start and also help them settle better in their new environment.
The new growing medium of each plant should provide excellent drainage, so you will have to use a potting mix for succulents and cacti. If you want to give your new String of Pearls plants the time of their life, you can even add some perlite or pumice to the substrate to bring drainage to its maximum levels.
Propagating String of Pearls From Seeds
When String of Pearls goes through pollination, its mesmerizing flowers can produce seed pods once the blooming period has ended. If you are lucky enough for this to happen, you can benefit from this by using the seeds to make more String of Pearls plants for you or a beloved relative or friend.
Before getting to work, though, you must know that this method is the most difficult and most gardeners avoid it as they consider it to be unreliable. Even if you find many seeds on your plants, only a few of them will germinate. Moreover, the process will take more time than the others to show results and produce a mature plant. But you can always try your best and take advantage of the propagation material!
- Succulent is a unique houseplant that will transform in color under different lighting conditions
- Everyone loves receiving succulents. They symbolize beautiful and incredible things
- Succulents are drought-tolerant plants. You could just water them once a week or only when you see the soil dry
- Most succulents love sunlight. You could place them on a sunny windowsill to get bright indirect sunlight
- Each succulent comes in a 4" grower pot fully rooted in the well-draining soil mix
- ✅ ABOUT PRODUCT- This package contains New Fresh String of Pearl plant seeds Generic , SEEDS ONLY, no live plants.The photos show are the mature plant in the future, not the actual plant you will receive
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When you notice the seed pods on your succulent, this is the best moment to prepare yourself for starting your new String of Pearls plants from seed. You should first leave the seeds to dry on the plant, then collect them. After this, sow the seeds in a pot filled with fresh, well-draining potting mix, and water the substrate until it becomes damp. Move the pot to a bright, warm area and keep the soil constantly damp for optimal germination.
Tips for Growing and Caring for String of Pearls Plants
As mentioned above, the String of Pearls plant is a low-maintenance ornamental plant that will thrive as long as you grow it in a certain type of environment. With plenty of bright, indirect light and some fertilizer, your String of Pearls will surprise you with its vigorous growth. The lifespan of String of Pearls is usually about five years, but your plant will live forever if you propagate it regularly via stem cuttings.
Light is the most important resource when it comes to growing String of Pearls plants. These ornamentals will be grateful if you offer a combination of direct and indirect sunlight. The ideal amount of sunlight for these plants is between six and eight hours a day. String of Pearls plants prefer the soft light of the morning and can be sensitive to harsh afternoon sun. So make sure your plants get some protection and some partial shade when the sun is too bright.
Whether you have a mature plant or freshly-propagated young ones, it is equally important to keep the growing medium slightly moist during the active growth season. String of Pearls plants will require more moisture during spring and summer and less during autumn and winter. The best way to tell if your plant needs more water is to check its leaves – flattened leaves are a sign that your plant is underwater. In hotter climates, these plants will need more frequent watering and in colder climates, much less. Another good indicator of the watering needs of your plants is the soil – if it is dry to the touch, you can add more water, if it is still moist, you do not need to add more.
In terms of soil, String of Pearls will thrive in a succulent and cacti potting mix. These plants prefer sandy soil, and if you are not able to buy this type of soil, you can make your own mix by combining three parts potting soil and one part sharp sand.
The best and most effective way to grow a nice-looking String of Pearls plants is by rooting several stems in a hanging basket. The branches of the String of Pearls plant can be arranged in a cascading style, or they can be tangled and intertwined.
Like all succulent plants, String of Pearls are quite sensitive and susceptible to root rot. This problem is very common in plants that have soggy soil, get too much water, or have damp soil that drains too slowly. To prevent this common problem, make sure the soil or your String of Pearls is well-draining and that the container has ample drainage holes at its base. The best types of containers for these plants are usually made of natural materials such as terra cotta or clay.
Common Problems With String of Pearls Plant
These ornamental plants are not particularly susceptible to pests and diseases, but there are still a few issues that gardeners will encounter once in a while. The most common problems with String of Pearls are usually caused by underwatering or overwatering. Let’s take a look at a few common signs that your plant is not doing very well.
Wilting Leaves
If the spherical leaves of your String of Pearls plant are shrivelling, withering, or wilting, you are probably facing an underwatering or overwatering situation. The first thing that you should do is to check the soil and see if it’s soggy or dry and readjust the watering schedule accordingly. If the round leaves are deflated or flat, you should definitely increase the watering frequency. If the soil is soggy and your plants are decaying, you should try to save the healthy stems and replant them in a new container filled with fresh well-draining soil.
Discolouring Leaves
Another common issue with the foliage of String of Pearls plants is discolouration. If your plant has yellowing or grey-coloured leaves, you should check for unwanted guests as this is often a sign of insect activity. A great way to keep insects away from your plants is by treating them with neem oil.
Dark Coloured Foliage and Mushy Stems
As mentioned above, a very common problem with String of Pearls plants is overwatering. Soggy conditions can lead to mushy stems and leaves, root rot, and fungus infections. Saving a plant in this situation can be a bit difficult as root rot will eventually kill the plant. You can, however, salvage the healthy stems by cutting them and replanting them in fresh soil.
The best treatment for the problems mentioned above is, of course, prevention. To avoid any potential issues, try to develop a healthy watering routine, use sterile tools and equipment when handling the plants, and make sure they get plenty of bright, indirect light.
In Conclusion
The String of Pearls succulent is that type of plant that cannot miss from a respectable ornamental plant collection. If you have friends or family members who share your passion for gardening, you have one more reason to propagate your plant – to surprise them with an awesome gift. And if you want more String of Pearls plants for your home or garden, even better! We hope that, after getting more familiar with these easy-going propagation methods, you will find the courage and curiosity to try them at home!
Are you growing String of Pearls succulents? Share your experience in the comments section!
