Unique vining succulents known as “string of pearls” are distinguished by their tiny, pea-shaped leaves. Similar to the string of rubies succulent, the leaves are borne on trailing stems that elegantly drape over the sides of planters and hanging baskets. The plant, which is strong and grows quickly—gaining between 5 and 15 inches each year—can be propagated using these stems because it does not survive without them.
String of pearls plants are commonly grown as hanging plants year-round across the world, but in their native desert habitat in east Africa, they are terrestrial and cover the ground. Although you can grow it at any time, the warmer months will yield the best results. The string of pearls produces white flowers with a lovely cinnamon-like aroma in the spring in addition to its unusual sphere-shaped leaves, yet it rarely blooms inside. Both people and animals should avoid this plant.
How frequently should I water my pearl string?
1. Light
String of Pearls plants must be placed in a location where they may receive at least 6 to 8 hours of bright, indirect sunshine each day, whether they are planted indoors or outdoors. Again, though, you’ll need to cultivate this plant outdoors in an area that receives some shade.
If kept indoors, place your String of Pearls near an east-facing window or another location where it may get enough of bright natural light. If you reside in a hot, desert-like environment, you may also grow it close to a South or West-facing window as long as you keep the plant 5 to 10 inches away from the glass to avoid it from getting sunburned. To ensure they receive all the light they require each day, move them closer to a window or to a brighter location during the colder, cooler months.
The minimum number of hours of direct, strong sunlight that string of pearls plants require each day is six to eight.
If the lighting in your home is inadequate for your String of Pearls, you might want to put them 6 to 12 inches beneath a fluorescent light source for 12 to 16 hours a day to keep them happy.
The ideal indoor temperature for String of Pearls succulents is between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the plant cool during the winter, at a temperature of about 5560 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid keeping them in places with drafts, air conditioners, or open windows since the cold air may cause the leaves to fall. String of pearls must be brought indoors throughout the winter since they cannot withstand frost.
3. Moisture
For String of Pearls to flourish, only moderate humidity is necessary. In actuality, since this succulent is native to arid regions, dry air won’t hurt it. Additionally, it can be used in virtually any typical household humidity situation (about 40 percent relative humidity).
4. Ground & Pot
Like any succulent, pearl plants require well-draining soil to flourish. Therefore, the first step to making your spring of hearts happy is picking a well-drained pot. Due of their exceptional drainage, terracotta and unglazed ceramic pots are the two most preferred options.
Another critical element in choosing the ideal container size for succulents is soil fertility. If the container is too big for the plant, the soil will remain wet for too long and the pearls lying on that wet soil will rot. Therefore, the pot must be large enough to allow them to fill it to the brim. Additionally, String of Pearls don’t require a deep pot because their roots are so shallow.  
The crowns of the pearls must remain level with the top of the pot or no more than 0.5 to 1 inch lower than the top; otherwise, the aeration will decrease and, in combination with the wet soil, the crowns and stems of the plant will rot more quickly.
You may practically start with any type of succulent potting soil because string of pearls are so easy to care for, however sandy soil is recommended. Follow this mixture with three parts high-quality potting soil and one part sharp sand.
5. Water
Be careful not to overwater String of Pearls because they are extremely sensitive to it. It is advised to do so every two weeks. The soil should be at least half an inch (1.2 cm) dry before the next watering to prevent overwatering. Reduce watering to once a month throughout the winter.  
Even though string of pearls are frequently planted indoors, they may still make wonderful outdoor plants. Depending on how hot the region is, you can modify the frequency of watering the plant or you may let the rain take care of it for you for outdoor String of Pearls.
Fertilizer, no. 6
Typically, succulents don’t require a lot of fertilizer, and too much fertilizer can also be fatal to pearl succulents. In the spring and mid-summer, they might receive fertilization once every two or four weeks while they are growing. Additionally, fall and winter do not require fertilizer. In addition, the fertilizer needs to be diluted so as not to overload the plant.
Do pearl plants count as succulents?
Curio rowleyanus, a type of succulent, is distinguished by its tiny, pea-shaped leaves. String of pearls plants are found as ground cover in their native South West Africa. They produce cascading vines from window boxes, hanging baskets, and pots when used as indoor plants. These plants have tiny white flowers that bloom in the spring along with their pearl-like foliage.
This plant is also known by the names rosary vine, string of beads, and string of peas. String of pearl plants grow quickly and are simple to propagate.
Do pearl strings require direct sunlight?
Throughout its active growth, you should keep the indoor temperature of this string of beads houseplant around 72 degrees F (22 C). However, you’ll need to supply lower circumstances during its dormancy, often between 50 and 55 degrees F. (10-13 C.).
Give this houseplant sandy soil that drains well, particularly the kind that’s best for cacti and succulents. So that its trailing foliage can hang down, pot your plant in a hanging basket.
How are the pearls on the strand kept content?
- Bright light works wonderfully for a string of pearls. If bright sunshine is scarce, think about setting it on a sunny windowsill. If not, place it under a fluorescent light during the day.
- Make sure your plant has enough space to spread out. Think about presenting it in a hanging container so the tendrils can droop.
- Make sure that the plant is out of children’s and animals’ reach, as well as any fallen beads: Consuming this succulent may make you sick.
Does the pearl string bloom?
The rare South African succulent known as “string of pearls” has nearly spherical leaves. The species, which bears the name Senecio rowleyanus in honor of British botanist Gordon Rowley, was recently transferred from the enormous Senecio genus into the new genus Curio. However, Senecio rowleyanus is likely to continue to be used in literature and the horticulture industry. This delicate evergreen perennial from the asteraceae (family of daisies) is indigenous to the parched eastern Cape of South Africa. Another variation includes broad white stripes and portions (which might actually be S. herreianus which has slightly larger, elongated and striped round leaves and is also called string of pearls or string of beads).
The plant spreads from flimsy surface roots, producing three-foot-long trailing branches that can take root wherever they come into contact with the soil and form dense mats. It frequently grows between rocks or under plants, which offer some shade from the harsh sunlight. The alternating, water-storing leaves have a small pointy tip on the end, a thin dark green stripe along the side, and are about the size and shape of small peas (each to 1/4 diameter). In comparison to a typical thin, flat leaf, the round form of the leaves limits the surface area exposed to the dry desert air, which reduces evaporative water loss but also reduces the surface area where photosynthesis may occur. An “epidermal window” on the side of the leaf, which is made of darker, translucent tissue, allows light to reach the leaf’s core, so expanding the area that can be used for photosynthesis. Other succulents from southern Africa, such as the related Senicio radicans, baby toes (Fenestraria spp. ), and Haworthia cooperi, which grow underground and only show the leaf tips, also exhibit this adaptability to arid settings.
String of pearls blooms in the summer and has 1 1/2 inch long peduncles that produce 1/2 inch compound, daisy-like white discoid flowers with long red stamens and vivid yellow anthers. The unassuming but fragrant tiny blossoms are supposed to have a perfume that is both sweet and spicy, akin to cinnamon. Several seeds, each with a white cottony pappus that aids in wind dissemination, follow the flowers.
In areas without frost, string of pearls is frequently grown as a houseplant or as an outdoor adornment. In order to allow the trailing branches to pour downward, it is frequently cultivated in hanging baskets. It could also be planted in a flat dish, which would allow it to keep its natural trailing growth pattern. Indoor containers can be taken outside for the growing season, but they must be progressively acclimatized to the sun to avoid sunburn, they must be shielded from excessive rain, and they must be brought back inside before the first frost.
This succulent requires only bright light, well-drained soil, and infrequent watering, making it comparatively minimal maintenance compared to other succulents. The most frequent reason for its demise is root rot brought on by overwatering. Grow plants in a highly well-draining soil mixture, such as cactus mix, or supplement potting soil with inorganic elements like small pea gravel, sharp sand, poultry grit, or pumice (up to 1:1 mixture). Considering that the plants won’t grow a deep root system, use a shallow container (and if they are unable to quickly remove moisture from a large soil volume, they will be more susceptible to root rot). Clay is a superior material for containers than plastic or ceramic because it allows for faster soil drying by side evaporation. Between waterings, allow the potting soil entirely dry out. In the summer, when the plant is actively growing, give it more water than in the winter. supplying a cool relaxation break throughout the winter (55-60F). In the summer, dry weather could encourage blooming. When leaves begin to appear a little withered, plants need to be watered. Repot every year or two, or apply a light spring fertilizer. Plants may be infested by mealybugs or aphids, but except that, they rarely suffer insect issues. The plant’s sap can irritate sensitive people’s skin or cause a rash, and the leaves are mildly poisonous; ingesting them may result in nausea or diarrhea.
Take stem tip cuttings that are 3–4 inches long to multiply a strand of pearls. Remove three to four leaves from the bottom of the cutting, then lay it in or on moist potting soil (lightly cover the last few bottom nodes), where roots should start to form right away. Before the roots are formed, mist the soil’s top layer to prevent overwatering. It is also possible to cultivate this plant from seed, however seeds are not frequently available. University of Wisconsin-Madison student Susan Mahr
A succulent is string of hearts, right?
The String of Hearts enjoys hiking trails, so use them! For the most spectacular appearance, place it in a hanging jar and in the window.
South Africa is home to the trailing succulent-like plant known as the String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii). Many names, including Rosary Vine and Sweetheart Vine, have been given to this plant because of its delicate heart-shaped foliage and slender vines, which can grow up to 12′ long in their natural habitat.
Put your String of Hearts in a location where it will get a lot of bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight in moderation is beneficial, but too much might burn the leaves. Low light conditions are not ideal for this plant. Ideal placement is a few feet away from a southern or western-facing window, but standing just in front of a northern or eastern-facing window will also work.
Check out our tutorial on how to measure light in your space if you are unclear of the lighting conditions in your house or place of business.
The fast-growing String of Hearts, with its dangling heart-shaped foliage and frequent pink and magenta blossoms, may soon produce a stunning beaded curtain appearance with the proper habitat and care.
Is a dolphin string a type of succulent?
A unusual kind of trailing succulent called String of Dolphins (Senecio peregrinus) has the appearance of a pod of jumping dolphins. This unusual hybrid was created by mating Candle Plant and String of Pearls (S. rowleyanus) (Senecio articulatus). It might be challenging to locate and needs a little extra care, but the effort is definitely worth it. Find out how to grow a healthy Dolphin Succulent for yourself by reading on.
How may a pearl strand be made fuller?
You might be curious about how to make your String of Pearls look as full as those in photos of very full ones. The length and weight of a string of pearls tend to increase dramatically. Long trails may cause the plant to sag, which will make the top appear sparse. How can you accentuate the fullness of your String of Pearls?
Trim the plant down and put the cuttings to the top of the plant to give your String of Pearls a larger appearance. Within a few weeks, the stem cuttings will begin to root and grow like normal plants. Whenever your plant becomes really long, you can continue doing this. And eventually, your String of Pearls plant will look fuller and healthier.
I also use stem cuttings to produce String of Pearls in the same way. This fantastic post I wrote, “Three Ways To Propagate String of Pearls and String of Bananas,” will teach you more about how to propagate String of Pearls.
These more articles I have on String of Pearls may be useful to you as well:
How long are pearl strings alive?
What is the lifespan of string-of-pearls plants? Short-lived plants include string of pearl plants. They only have a three to five year lifespan before they start to deteriorate and start to wither away. They are simple to grow from stem cuttings to produce new plants, which enables the plant to last forever.