String of Pearls

Overview

The String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is a distinctive succulent known for its unique appearance—slender stems adorned with small, spherical leaves that resemble a string of green pearls or beads. Native to southwest Africa, specifically the drier parts of Namibia, this trailing succulent has become a popular houseplant due to its unusual form and relatively compact size.

In its natural habitat, String of Pearls grows along the ground, with its stems trailing several feet. The round leaves have evolved to minimize surface area, reducing water loss in arid conditions. Each "pearl" has a small transparent "window" that allows light to enter the interior of the leaf where photosynthesis occurs—a clever adaptation to harsh desert conditions.

When grown indoors, String of Pearls makes an excellent hanging plant, with its bead-like strands cascading gracefully from shelves or hanging baskets. Under ideal conditions, mature plants may produce small, white, brush-like flowers with a sweet cinnamon-like fragrance, typically in late summer or early fall.

While String of Pearls can be somewhat challenging to maintain compared to some other succulents, its distinctive appearance makes it a prized addition to any plant collection. With proper care focused on appropriate light, careful watering, and good drainage, this unique succulent can thrive indoors, creating a striking visual display with its elegant trailing stems.

Care Guide

Light Requirements

String of Pearls thrives in bright, indirect light that mimics the filtered sunlight it would receive in its natural habitat:

• Bright indirect light: Ideal for healthy growth and maintaining the compact shape of the pearls
• Morning direct sun: Can tolerate gentle morning sun, which often promotes more robust growth
• Afternoon direct sun: Avoid as it can scorch the delicate pearls
• Low light: Will survive but growth will slow, strands will stretch, and pearls will be smaller and more widely spaced

For optimal growth, place your String of Pearls near an east-facing window where it will receive gentle morning sun, or near a south or west-facing window with filtered light through a sheer curtain. In northern hemisphere winter months, the plant can often tolerate more direct light as the sun's intensity decreases.

Rotate your plant occasionally to ensure even growth, as String of Pearls will grow toward light sources. If you notice the strands stretching with increased space between pearls (etiolation), this indicates the plant needs more light.

Watering

Proper watering is crucial for String of Pearls, as these plants are particularly susceptible to root rot if overwatered:

Watering Schedule:

• Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings
• In spring and summer: Water approximately every 2 weeks
• In fall and winter: Reduce to once every 3-4 weeks
• Always check soil moisture before watering by inserting your finger or a wooden skewer into the soil

Watering Technique:

• Water thoroughly until it flows from the drainage holes
• Use the "soak and dry" method—completely saturate the soil, then allow to dry completely
• Water the soil directly, avoiding the stems and pearls
• Consider bottom watering to prevent disturbing the delicate stems

String of Pearls stores water in its spherical leaves, making it drought-tolerant. The pearls serve as a good indicator of watering needs—plump, firm pearls indicate adequate hydration, while wrinkled, shriveled pearls suggest the plant needs water.

Underwatering is generally less harmful than overwatering for this plant. When in doubt, it's better to wait a few more days before watering. During winter dormancy, the plant's water needs decrease significantly, so be especially careful not to overwater during this period.

Soil

String of Pearls requires exceptionally well-draining soil to prevent root rot:

Ideal Soil Mix:

• 2 parts cactus/succulent soil
• 1 part perlite or pumice
• 1 part coarse sand

This combination creates a light, porous mix that drains quickly and prevents water from pooling around the roots. Commercial cactus or succulent mixes can work well if amended with additional perlite or pumice for improved drainage.

Container Considerations:

• Always use pots with drainage holes
• Shallow pots are preferable as String of Pearls has a shallow root system
• Terracotta or clay pots are ideal as they wick away excess moisture
• Consider hanging baskets or containers that allow the strands to trail

Repot your String of Pearls every 2-3 years or when it becomes root-bound. The best time to repot is in spring during the active growing season. Be extremely gentle when handling the plant during repotting, as the strands break easily. Consider wearing gloves, as the sap can be irritating to sensitive skin.

Temperature & Humidity

String of Pearls prefers warm temperatures and can adapt to typical indoor conditions:

Temperature:

• Ideal range: 70-80°F (21-27°C)
• Minimum temperature: 50°F (10°C)
• Will suffer damage below 40°F (4°C)
• Protect from cold drafts, air conditioners, and heating vents

Humidity:

• Tolerates normal to dry household humidity (30-50%)
• No special humidity requirements
• Prefers good air circulation
• Avoid misting the pearls, which can lead to rot

String of Pearls is not cold-hardy and should be brought indoors before temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C). While it can be placed outdoors in a sheltered location during warm months, it should be gradually acclimated to prevent sunburn.

Temperature fluctuations can stress the plant and cause pearl drop, so maintain a consistent environment. Avoid placing near doors that open to the outside, air conditioning vents, or heating sources.

Fertilizing

String of Pearls has modest fertilizer requirements:

Fertilizing Schedule:

• Apply a diluted succulent fertilizer at quarter to half strength
• Fertilize once a month during spring and summer (growing season)
• Do not fertilize in fall and winter when growth naturally slows
• Resume fertilizing in spring when new growth appears

Fertilizing Tips:

• Use a fertilizer formulated for succulents or cacti if available
• Alternatively, use a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to quarter strength
• Always apply fertilizer to moist soil to prevent root burn
• If you notice white crust forming on the soil or pot, flush thoroughly with water to remove salt buildup

Over-fertilizing can cause more harm than good, leading to soft growth and potential root damage. String of Pearls grows naturally in nutrient-poor soil, so it's better to under-fertilize than over-fertilize.

Propagation

String of Pearls is relatively easy to propagate through stem cuttings:

Stem Cutting Propagation:

1. Select a healthy strand with several pearls
2. Using clean, sharp scissors, cut a section 3-4 inches long
3. Remove pearls from the bottom inch of the stem to expose the nodes
4. Allow the cutting to callus over for 1-2 days in a dry location
5. Soil Propagation Method:
   • Plant the callused end in well-draining succulent soil
   • Water sparingly until roots develop, usually within 2-3 weeks
   • Once new growth appears, the cutting has successfully rooted
6. Water Propagation Method:
   • Place the callused end in a small container of water, ensuring the pearls remain above water
   • Change the water every few days to prevent bacteria growth
   • Once roots are about 1 inch long (typically 2-4 weeks), plant in well-draining soil
   • Keep the soil slightly moist for the first few weeks as the plant adjusts to soil

"Laying" Propagation:

1. Coil a long strand on top of moist succulent soil
2. Secure it to the soil surface with bent paperclips or hairpins
3. Roots will form where the stem touches the soil
4. Once rooted, the strand can be cut into multiple plants or left to create a fuller pot

The best time to propagate String of Pearls is during the active growing season (spring and summer) when cuttings will root more readily. Keep newly propagated plants in bright, indirect light until well-established, then gradually introduce them to more direct light if desired.

Propagation is not only a way to create new plants but also a method to rejuvenate older specimens that have become leggy or sparse. Regular propagation can help maintain a full, lush appearance in your original plant.

Common Problems

While String of Pearls can be somewhat finicky, understanding common issues helps in maintaining a healthy plant:

Overwatering Symptoms:

• Soft, mushy pearls that may turn translucent
• Pearls bursting or splitting open
• Stems turning black or brown near the soil
• Foul smell from the soil
• Root rot

Solution: Reduce watering frequency, ensure proper drainage, and if severe, take healthy cuttings to propagate a new plant, as root rot can be difficult to reverse once established.

Underwatering Symptoms:

• Shriveled, wrinkled pearls
• Dry, crispy stems
• Pearls falling off easily when touched
• Slow or stunted growth

Solution: Increase watering frequency slightly, but still allow soil to dry between waterings.

Pests:

• Mealybugs: White, cotton-like clusters in leaf joints and on stems
• Spider mites: Fine webbing and tiny specks, usually in dry conditions
• Scale: Brown bumps on stems that don't scrape off easily

Solution: Isolate affected plants, remove pests with alcohol-dipped cotton swabs, and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Be gentle when handling the plant to avoid breaking strands.

Pearls Falling Off:

• Can be caused by physical disturbance, overwatering, underwatering, or pest damage
• Sometimes occurs when the plant is moved to a new location
• May happen seasonally as part of normal growth cycle

Solution: Minimize handling, maintain consistent care, and ensure proper growing conditions. Fallen pearls rarely root on their own but can be collected and discarded.

Leggy Growth:

• Elongated stems with increased space between pearls
• Plant stretching toward light source
• Overall sparse appearance

Solution: Provide more light, rotate the plant regularly, and consider pruning and propagating to create a fuller plant.

Sunburn:

• Brown or bleached spots on pearls
• Typically occurs when moved suddenly to a much brighter location

Solution: Gradually acclimate the plant to higher light levels and provide shade during the hottest part of the day if placed outdoors.

Most String of Pearls problems can be resolved by adjusting care routines, particularly watering habits and light exposure. These plants can be somewhat challenging but typically respond well once proper conditions are established.

Popular Varieties

While the classic String of Pearls is the most common, there are several related plants in the "string" family that are often grown alongside it:

Senecio rowleyanus (Classic String of Pearls)

• Perfectly round, pea-sized green pearls
• Long trailing stems that can grow several feet
• The original and most recognized variety

Senecio radicans (String of Bananas)

• Elongated, banana-shaped leaves
• Slightly faster growing than String of Pearls
• Often considered easier to grow
• Similar care requirements

Senecio herreianus (String of Beads/String of Watermelons)

• Oval or teardrop-shaped beads with dark green stripes
• Resembles tiny watermelons
• Slightly more compact growth habit
• Same care requirements as String of Pearls

Senecio rowleyanus 'Variegata' (Variegated String of Pearls)

• Pearls have cream or white stripes or patches
• Slower growing than the standard variety
• Requires slightly more light to maintain variegation
• More rare and often more expensive

Curio citriformis (String of Tears)

• Teardrop-shaped leaves that come to a point
• Slightly thicker stems than String of Pearls
• Similar care requirements
• Less common in cultivation

These related "string" succulents all have similar care requirements and growth habits. They make excellent companion plants and can be grown together in mixed arrangements for an interesting textural display. Collectors often enjoy growing the complete "string garden" collection, as they complement each other beautifully while sharing the same care needs.

With its distinctive appearance and trailing growth habit, String of Pearls makes a striking addition to any plant collection. While it requires some attention to detail in its care, particularly regarding watering and light, the visual impact of its unique bead-like foliage makes it well worth the effort for succulent enthusiasts.