How to Grow and Care for String of Pearls Plant

String of pearls plants are unique vining succulents that are easily recognizable bytheir tiny pea-shaped leaves. The leaves grow on trailing stems that gracefully spill over the sides of planters and hanging baskets much like the string of rubies succulent. The plant is a robust and quick grower—gaining about five to 15 inches per year—but does not live long without propagation. Thankfully it is easy to propagate the plant using its stems.

Though typically cultivated globally year-round as a hanging plant, in its east African natural desert habitat, string of pearls plants are terrestrial and form a ground cover. You can plant it any time but will have the most success in the warmer months. In addition to its unique sphere-like leaves, the string of pearls produces white flowers in spring with a pleasant cinnamon-like scent; although, it rarely flowers indoors.

This plant is toxic to humans and pets.

String of Pearls Plant Tips for Beginners

• Where to Put It: Place your plant in a spot where there's direct sunlight in the morning and indirect light in the afternoon.
• How to Water It: Make sure to water it enough so the soil is moist during the growing season and cut back on watering during the winter months.
• Soil Type: Aim to choose a sandy soil and place them in well-draining containers.

String of Pearls Care

String of pearls plant is not particular about its conditions and it will grow quite vigorously in a single season. Here are the main care requirements:

• Plant in a succulent or cactus potting mix.
• Place in a location where it gets direct sunlight in the morning and indirect light in the afternoon.
• Water just enough to keep the soil moist during the growing season. Reduce watering in the winter months.
• Avoid temperatures below 50ºF and rooms with high humidity.
• Feed regularly during the spring and summer months.

Light

String of pearls plants thrive on a combination of direct and indirect sunlight, totaling between six and eight hours a day. They're best when kept in direct sunlight during the softer morning hours, then moved to a spot that gets diffused, indirect light, or partial shade during the harsher afternoon hours.

Soil

Any regular succulent potting soil is acceptable for your string of pearls plants, but sandy soil is best. A good choice for this plant is a cactus potting mix. Alternatively, use a three-to-one mixture of potting soil to sharp sand.

These plants are susceptible to root rot, so make sure their soil is well-draining. Plant them in a container that boasts ample drainage holes at its base. Terracotta or clay pots also help wick away excess moisture from the soil.

Water

Keep the plant's soil lightly moist during the growing season in the spring and summer, then reduce water during the winter months. If you notice the succulent's spherical leaves flattening, it's a good indicator that the plant needs more water.

You will likely need to water your plant once every seven to 14 days. Plants in hotter climates, outdoors during the summer, or in porous terra-cotta pots might need water closer to every seven days, all depending on rain frequency and temperatures. If the soil is dry to the touch down to the first one-half inch of soil, that's a good sign your plant is thirsty.

Water thoroughly; you're done watering once the water drains out of the bottom of the pot. Succulents need good drainage and be careful not to overwater your string of pearls plants. Succulents are drought-resistant, but cannot survive with wet, soggy roots.

Warning

Be sure not to overwater your string of pearls—overwatering can lead to soggy roots, causing root rot and making your only recourse of action to propagate and discard the main plant.

Temperature and Humidity

String of pearls plants thrive in warm temperatures above 70ºF from spring through fall, and itgrows best with winter temperatures, ranging from 50-60ºF. This plant prefers low humidity, so avoid placing it in any already-humid areas of your home, like a kitchen or bathroom.

Fertilizer

Feed your string of pearls plants biweekly during the growing season with a balanced liquid or water-soluble fertilizer diluted to about half strength. During its dormant winter period, only feed the plant every six weeks.

Types of String of Pearls Plant

There are several closely related plants to String of pearls that feature differently shaped leaves, looking more like bananas, teardrops, or watermelons with stripes. These close cousins in the same daisy family include:

• Curio radicans: Fuller and not as trailing as string of pearls, this varietal has tendrils with banana-shaped leaves; commonly called string of bananas or string of fish hooks.
• Curio herreanus: Commonly called string of watermelon or string of beads, this trailing plant has tiny melon-shaped leaves with purple striping.
• Curio citriformus: This varietal has both erect and trailing stems filled with plump, teardrop leaves and small white flowers that bloom between late summer and winter.

Pruning

Using sterilized scissors or pruners, trim off any dead stems and pearls, as well as any stems that have lost a lot of their leaves. If your plant is getting leggy or too long, trim those branches and propagate new plants from the cuttings. Pruning will promote fuller, bushier plants.

Pruning Tip

Looking for the best pruners for your string of pearls? We tested 10top-rated prunersin our Lab to make sure your plants stay happy and healthy.

Propagating String of Pearls Plant

String of pearl plants are easily propagated in soil, on soil, or from stem cuttings. To keep your plant alive for years, you'll want to take cuttings and make new plants. Spring, summer, or early fall (in warmer climates) are good times to propagate string of pearls plant. It takes three to four weeks for the plant to take root. Propagation from seeds is less successful. Here's how to grow plants from cuttings:

1. Gather supplies. To propagate string of pearls plant, you will need sterilized pruning snips or scissors, a four- or six-inch pot, and cactus or succulent soil.
2. Trim cuttings. Cut several four- to five-inch stems just below a leaf node. Remove the last two leaves. Lay out the stems for about one to two days before planting. The cut ends and areas where the leaves were removed need to callus over and get dry.
3. Prepare the containers. Fill a pot with soil. In the center, make a hole where you will plant the stems.
4. Plant cuttings. Place the cut ends into the hole at least an inch deep. All leaves should be above the soil. Pack the dirt around the stems. Wait a few days before watering thoroughly.
5. Care for the plant. If indoors, place it in a bright spot. Outdoors, the plant does better in partial sun. Water the soil when it dries up.

Potting and Repotting String of Pearls Plant

The ideal time to repot your string of pearls plant is at the beginning of spring.

Get a well-draining pot with ample drainage holes. Terracotta and unglazed ceramic potsare ideal for succulents. The pot should be the next size up from the pot you currently have, usually two to three inches larger and deeper.

Use a fast-draining succulent or cactus soil mix. Add the soil to the bottom of the pot, gently remove the root ball from the old pot and center it on the bed of fresh soil. Fill the soil around the root ball up to one inch below the lip of the pot.

You can repot these plants annually, but only a few times before they eventually begin to die back. After a few years, it's better to propagate a plant from new cuttings rather than trying to preserve and replant an older plant.

Overwintering

If you live in zone 8 or below, bring your string of pearls plant indoors during the winter; it will not survive a freezing winter outdoors. If you want your plant to eventually bloom, give it a cool-down period with temperatures just above freezing between 35-44ºF.

Keep the plant in a non-heated room that gets at least six hours of light, providing it the cool period it needs. Water very rarely—about once per month during the dormant period.

Common Pests

Aphids, mites, whiteflies, gnats, mealybugs, and ants are common bugs attracted to string of pearls.

Insects often overtake it if the plant is unhealthy. Poor drainage, high humidity, overcrowding, and insufficient light weaken the defenses of the plant.

Avoid overwatering, mist the plant with neem oil solution, move the plant to a well-ventilated area, and inspect your plants regularly for pests. Neem oil and insecticidal soap are two organic pest control methods for insects on your plant. Try these methods before going the route of synthetic pesticides.

Pests to Watch

Look out for aphids which will look like tiny, pear-shaped insects that are light green, red, black, or yellow. To remove them, you can spray insecticidal soap or treat the plant with neem oil.

How to Get String of Pearls Plant to Bloom

Overwintering is essential if you want to see your succulents bloom.

String of pearls bloom in summer, producing one-half-inch daisy-like white flowers with long red stamens and bright yellow anthers. The small flowers are not showy, but are fragrant with a sweet and spicy, cinnamon-like scent.

Give the plant a cool-down period, leaving it relatively dry in the winter months. Once the growing season begins in spring, fertilize twice a week. Although it rarely flowers when kept indoors, it may bloom if it's fed regularly and has sufficient water and light. A bright windowsill with several hours of direct sun is adequate. When it flowers, its blooms last a month or so.

Common Problems With String of Pearls Plant

String of pearls plants rarely have issues with pests and diseases, making them great to keep. The biggest problem this plant has is usually related to too much or not enough water.

Always Disinfect Pruners

Plants highly sensitive to bacteria that are transmitted to the plant via pruning tools, pots, and potting medium. Make sure todisinfect your pruning shearsand containers, and only purchase potting medium from a reputable source.

Shriveling Leaves

Wilting or withering leaves are usually a sign of underwatering or overwatering. If you've frequently been watering and the soil feels soggy, you are watering too much, or the plant needs better drainage. Water once every seven to 14 days; the top inch of soil should feel dry before watering again. If the round leaves flatten, it's a sign you should increase water frequency.

Yellowing or Graying Leaves

Yellowing or gray-colored leaves are often caused by insect activity. Regularly treating the plant with neem oil should keep insects at bay.

Mushy Stems and Leaves Turning Purple

Overwatering is another reason for mushy stems and leaves; it causes the root to rot, making it easy for soil-borne fungus to set in. Root rot may kill the plant.

Prevent this condition by watering on a regular schedule. Let the plant dry out and see if it recovers. If the plant is too far gone, cut off any remaining healthy stems and propagate them in a small pot with clean soil. Discard the infected soil and root. Sterilize the pot before using it again.

From: thespruce