INSIDE : The best methods for how to care for the gorgeous succulent, String of Pearls! From their overall plant care, watering needs, and the best light amounts for your little plant – let’s get growing those beautiful trailing plants with these String of Pearl Plant Care tips.
String of Pearls or Senecio rowleyanus is one of my VERY favorite plants. I have grown many many String of Pearl plants over the years and love them for their unique shaped “leaves” and as they grow older, I just love how they slowly cascade down their pot or container!
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Today we are talking about String of Pearl care from how much water they need to what is the best kind of lighting. Hopefully you will find this post full of helpful information to grow, grow, grow those String of Pearls.
I have long been a fan of String of Pearls. I love their plump trailing pearls and the ease at which they grow. So, when I started hearing about a new but somewhat similar plant… String of Turtles I was very intrigued!
Although they have a similar name, their look and needs are different.
Love plants like I do? You might like some of my other Plant Care + Tip posts.
How often should I water my String of Pearls plant?
This succulent plant might be small but he’s pretty big when it comes to being drought tolerant. As your plant matures, they are able to survive a few weeks without water. Since String of Pearls often are covered with “pearls”, it can be difficult to check the wetness of the soil with your finger.
A good rule of thumb is to water your plant every 10 to 14 days in summer (if indoors) and roughly every 3-4 weeks in the winter. Watering too often can increase the chances of root rot. So, be sure to let the soil dry out at least half an inch or so between waterings.
If your plant is an outdoor plant, you can water about once a week in the warmer months.
Do String of Pearls need direct sunlight?
The String of Pearls plant prefer a bright location but do not like full sun, especially in the afternoon. If you see your plant starting to turn an orange / red color, it may mean the pearls are being scorched by the sun.
If your String Of Pearls is outdoors, it will need filtered light or bright shade.
Are String of Pearls easy to propagate?
After you have a String of Pearls plant, you can easily propagate new ones (or make your original look more full) by placing cuttings into soil and allowing them to take root. I have done this numerous times with my sister, sharing the plant back and forth over the years – it is such fun!
If you like this post about String of Pearl plant care, then you will definitely enjoy my indoor houseplant ebook, Happy Houseplants! I talk about how to not kill all the plants, do a deep dive on numerous trending “it” plants and share 5 fun plant printables.
Why is my String of Pearls starting to shrivel up?
The most common reason for shriveled leaves with a String of Pearls is that your plant is not getting enough water. They store water in their round “pearl” leaves and when their water supply runs low, the round beads can begin to shrivel.
How do I keep my plant looking tidy and not too stringy?
As your plant grows, each strand of pearls starts to grow over the pot you have it placed in. Some strands may be fun to cascade down, but with time they can get a little long. To fix this issue, you can start by pruning the string right below a pearl.
You can also trim off any dead stems and shrived or dead pearls. Pruning your plant back will also help promote fuller, more compact plants.
Where to buy String of Pearls?
Typically String of Pearls are easy plants to find at your local nursery. However, if your local plant store doesn’t carry them, they are an easy plant to purchase online, too. I’ve seen numerous shops on Etsy (baby ones)carrying them. And I love that Amazon is now selling them, too.
Keep all those plants alive with my Keep Plants Alive Checklist.
You might be interested in some of my other Plant Care posts:
Pilea Care and Best Tips
Marimo Moss Ball Care Tips
Hi. I can’t get my string of pearls to thrive. I don’t know what else to try. They are in bright indirect light, I don’t over water… Yet they will not thrive. Any other suggestions on what to try?
I’ve had some String of Pearls that do amazing with very little effort and then other plants, that just struggle along. I have noticed when planted in terra cotta pot with a drainage hole, they do better. I think they need less water than we may think… so the terra cotta helps the soil to breathe and dry out a bit.
Purchased a String if Pearls plant from a nursery. It is in a 6 inch pot. Am I able to separate into 2 smaller pots?Thank you
Yes, you should be able to separate it just fine! š
Hi ! Found your article because I’m desperate with my string of pearl. Now that I’ve read your article, I think that my boyfriend gave it too much water and the plant has begin to rot. Can I save it or is it too late ? š Thank you so much !
Thanks for writing in your question. I believe you can still save your String of Pearl plant. Any pieces or strings that are squishy or rotten from too much water, you can just clip off. Even if most of your plant is dying, if there are a few healthy sections, you can put those back in the soil, let the plant dry out a bit and slowly get it back onto a watering schedule. Eventually those healthy pieces will grow roots and start growing as your new plant. Good luck!
My String of Pearls is over 24 inches long. It is happy in my master bathroom.
Ah, love that! String of Pearls are such great plants.