Beginner’s Guide: How to Care for Your String of Pearls Plant

String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is a unique hanging houseplant. Instead of the typical leaf shape, String of Pearls has leaves shaped like beads. It is a succulent plant with cascading strings of green pearls. When you walk by, you will get a whiff of a spicy cinnamon smell. Here is a beginner’s guide on how to care for your String of Pearls plant at home. 

String of Pearls Plant
String of Pearls Plant

String of Pearls Houseplant Care at a Glance

NameString of Pearls
Scientific NameSenecio rowleyanus
LightFull Sun but Can Tolerate Bright, Filtered Light
Daytime Temperature70 to 80 F (21-26C)
Night Time Temperature60 to 70 F (15-21C)
WaterLow Water
HumidityCan Tolerate Dry Indoor Air
PottingWell-draining, organic, cactus potting mix
FertilizerOnce a month at half strength during the growing season
Toxic to Pets and HumansToxic
String of Pearls Houseplant Care at a Glance

String of Pearls Plant: Common Names 

String of Pearls is also called String of Beads

String of Pearls Plant: Size

The stems of your String of Pearls can grow to 3 feet long.

String of Pearls Houseplant: Toxic to Pets?

String of Pearls are toxic to humans and pets. Don’t let children or pets chew on the leaves of the String of Pearls plant. It can cause vomiting, and upset stomach. If you see any of these symptoms and suspect ingestion of String of Pearls plants, call poison control immediately! Also, call your doctor or vet once you start seeing adverse reactions in children and pets.

Light

String of Pearls Plant: Sun or Shade?

String of Pearls is a sun-loving houseplant. It will grow best in a full sun location. However, it can tolerate bright, filtered light. 

Water

How Often Should You Water Your String of Pearls Houseplant?

Your String of Pearls is a succulent plant with low water requirements. Water your String of Pearls when the soil feels dry. The best way to tell when it is time to water your String of Pearls is to feel the soil. Stick your finger in the soil 2 inches deep. If it feels dry, it’s time to water your String of Pearls.

How Do You Know When to Water Your String of Pearls?

The best way to tell when it’s time to water is by sticking your finger into the soil. Stick your finger in the soil 2 inches deep. If the soil feels dry, then it’s time to water your String of Pearls. Since your String of Pearls is a succulent plant, it’s best to underwater than to overwater. 

What Type of Water Should You Use When Watering Your String of Pearls?

Your String of Pearls can be watered with tap water but be mindful of the water temperature that you are using to water your String of Pearls. Don’t use straight cold water from the tap to water your String of Pearls.

String of Pearls prefers cool water that is not hot and not cold. When you turn on the cold water from the faucet add a little bit of warm water. You can also get to this ideal temperature by filling a watering can or pitcher with water and leaving it out overnight until the water is at room temperature. 

How Do You Make Sure There is Proper Drainage for Your String of Pearls?

Your String of Pearls Good drainage is important, you don’t want your String of Pearls to sit in soggy soil. Make sure there are drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. After watering your String of Pearls and you see water draining out of the pot’s drainage holes, make sure you empty out the accumulated water in the saucer. Don’t let your String of Pearls’ pot sit in this puddle of water. It will cause root rot!

Do You Need to Mist Your String of Pearls?

Your String of Pearls is a houseplant that can tolerate dry indoor air. It is a succulent plant so it does not need additional moisture on top of its regular watering.

Soil

What Type of Potting Mix is Best for Your String of Pearls?

Your String of Pearls needs a well-draining, organic cactus potting mix. 

How Do You Know When To Repot Your String of Pearls?

Repot your String of Pearls when it outgrows its current pot. Repot your String of Pearls in a container with a diameter 2 inches larger than the current pot. Your String of Pearls has a compact root system so it prefers to be in small, shallow containers. 

Fertilizer

Do You Need to Fertilize Your String of Pearls?

Your String of Pearls should be fertilized once a month at half strength during the growing season. Don’t fertilize in the winter.

What Fertilizer Should You Use on Your String of Pearls?

Use organic fertilizer on your String of Pearls.

Propagation

How Do You Propagate Your String of Pearls Plant?

Your String of Pearls Plant is easy to propagate. You can propagate your String of Pearls plant by stem tip cutting. Below are steps on how to propagate String of Pearls Plant by stem tip cutting:

1. Take a Stem Tip Cutting of String of Pearls Plant (include a node)

Pick a stem with a node. Cut below the node.

2. Place String of Pearls Stem Cutting in a Jar of Water

Place the String of Pearls stem into a jar of water and wait for it to grow roots. To help it focus its energy on growing roots, make sure your stem has a maximum of 2 leaves. Cut off extra leaves as needed.
Another way to stimulate root growth is to dip your stem cutting in root hormone and plant it in moist sand. I personally prefer the jar method so you can easily see the roots come out. Know that not all stem cuttings of String of Pearls will grow roots, so to be safe, cut a few stem cuttings so you will at least get one with roots.

3. Plant Stem Cutting in a New Pot

Once the roots grow, plant these stem cuttings into a new pot. Water the new plant immediately after planting. Then water every 2-3 days until the roots are established.

4. Place New String of Pearls Plant in a Spot with Bright Indirect Sun

Place your new String of Pearls plant in a spot with bright indirect sunlight. Don’t put it in direct sunlight.

Common Problems of String of Pearls Care

The most common problems that affect String of Pearls are mealy bugs and root rot.

String of Pearls Plant Problem: Fluffy White Growth In Between the Leaves and Stems of your String of Pearls

Problem: There are fluffy white growths in between the leaves and stems of your String of Pearls. 

Cause: Mealybugs are causing the fluffy white growth on your String of Pearls. It is a common houseplant disease. 

Solution: To get rid of mealybugs on your String of Pearls, wash your plant with water. You can also use soapy water. Spraying rubbing alcohol on affected areas can also get rid of mealybugs. Horticultural oil and insecticidal soap are also effective in getting rid of mealybugs.

Check out our article on how to make your own homemade pesticides using baby shampoo: How to Make Horticultural Oil and How to Make Insecticidal Soap

String of Pearls Plant Problem: Looks Wilted (Soil is Wet)

Problem: Your String of Pearls looks wilted even if the soil is wet. Check for root rot by pulling the plant out and examining the roots. If the roots of your String of Pearls plant look mushy (healthy roots are firm) and the roots are gray to black in color, these are telltale signs of root rot. 

Cause: Root rot is caused by fungus and is a serious problem for your String of Pearls. Root rot is a result of wet soil due to overwatering or poor drainage. 

Solution: When your String of Pearls is afflicted with root rot the chance of survival is slim. Your best course of action is to throw your String of Pearls out and start over with a new plant. This time don’t overwater your String of Pearls and make sure there is good drainage in the pot.

Cleaning String of Pearls Houseplant

What’s the best way to clean the leaves of your String of Pearls?

The best way to clean the leaves of your String of Pearls is to use a makeup brush. Gently use a makeup brush to brush off dirt and dust.

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