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Beaded pearl plant


How to Grow and Care for String of Pearls Plant

String of pearls plants are unique vining succulents that are easily recognizable by their 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. You can use these stems to propagate the plant, which is a robust and quick grower—gaining about five to 15 inches per year—but does not live long without propagation.

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.

Click Play to Learn How to Properly Grow String of Pearls Succulents

Common Name String of pearls, string of beads, string of peas, rosary vine
Botanical Name Curio rowleyanus (formerly Senecio rowleyanus)
Family Asteraceae
Plant Type Succulent
Mature Size 1-2 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. long
Sun Exposure Full, partial
Soil Type Sandy, well-drained
Soil pH Neutral to acidic
Bloom Time Summer
Flower Color White
Hardiness Zones 9-12 (USDA)
Native Area Africa
Toxicity Toxic to humans, toxic to pets

String of Pearls Care

The string of pearls plant is not particular about its conditions. Given enough light and fertilizer, it will grow quite vigorously in a season. A single plant will survive for about five years if properly cared for, but if you propagate new plants from stem cuttings, you can effectively keep it alive indefinitely.

To enable this plant to shine, consider growing string of pearls with multiple stems in a hanging basket. Its branches can also be intertwined, and you can also grow it in a dish, allowing it to form a terrestrial mat the way it does in the wild. String of pearls has no significant disease problems, and it doesn’t require much care. It does, however, need plenty of light all year.

The Spruce / Kara Riley The Spruce / Kara Riley  The Spruce / Kara Riley

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, you can 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. Terra cotta or clay pots can 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.

Temperature and Humidity

String of pearls plants thrive in warm temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit from spring through fall, and it grows best with winter temperatures, ranging from 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. 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:

The Spruce / Kara Riley

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, you can trim those branches and propagate new plants from the cuttings. Pruning will promote fuller, bushier plants.

Propagating String of Pearls Plant

String of pearls plants propagate easily via 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 can take three to four weeks for the plant to take root. You can also plant seeds, although it is often less successful. Here's how to grow plants from cuttings:

  1. 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. 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 callous over and get dry.
  3. Fill a pot with soil. In the center, make a hole where you will plant the stems.
  4. 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. If indoors, place it in a bright spot. Outdoors, the plant does better in partial sun. Water the soil when it dries up.

How to Grow String of Pearl Plant From Seed

One of the reasons why strings of pearls plant is difficult to grow from seeds is that the flower heads need to be pollinated to produce seeds that will germinate. A big unknown is whether the seeds are viable, which you won't know until you plant them.

Plant the seeds in a fast-draining succulent or cactus potting mix. Make sure you never let the soil dry up. If you don’t think you can maintain soil moistness, put a clear plastic bag around the growing pot. The germination rate of the seed can be a few weeks to two to three months, and seeds germinate quicker in spring or summer.

Potting and Repotting String of Pearls Plant

The ideal time to repot your string of pearls plant is at the beginning of spring. Use a fast-draining succulent or cactus soil mix. Get a well-draining pot with ample drainage holes. Terra cotta and unglazed ceramic pots are 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. 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, you will want to give it a cool-down period with temperatures just above freezing between 35 to 44 F. 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 can weaken a string of pearls plant's defenses. 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.

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 can 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.

Shriveling Leaves

If your plant's leaves are wilting or withering, it can be 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 can kill the plant. Prevent this condition by watering on a regular schedule. To save the plant, you can let the plant dry out and see if it recovers. If the plant is too far gone, you can 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.

Article Sources

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. String of Pearls, Senecio rowleyanus. University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension

  2. Are Succulents Safe to Have Around Pets? ASPCA

  3. Senecio rowleyanus. Missouri Botanical Garden.

String Of Pearls Plant - Tips For Growing A Rosary String Of Beads Plant

If you’re looking for an easy succulent to grow indoors, opt for the string of beads (Senecio rowleyanus) plant. In addition to its carefree growth habit, this interesting houseplant can provide a unique focal point in the home. Sprawling over the edges of containers or hanging baskets, the string of beads plant resembles a beaded necklace with its fleshy green, pea-like foliage. Learn more about growing string of beads houseplant so you can also enjoy its unique characteristics and ease of care.

What is a String of Beads Houseplant?

Also called rosary string of beads or string of pearls plant, this creeping succulent is an odd looking plant that many people enjoy adding to their indoor gardens. Though the flowers may seem small and unattractive to some people, if they’re even lucky enough to get them, others find the faint white blooms (which smell a bit like cinnamon) quite welcome.

Still, it’s the thin thread-like stems and fleshy round, bead-like leaves that make this unusual houseplant a great addition to the home. Learning how to grow a string of pearls houseplant is extremely easy.

How to Grow a String of Pearls Houseplant

The string of pearls plant grows well in bright light, including sunlight.

You should provide this string of beads houseplant with average indoor temperatures around 72 degrees F. (22 C.) throughout its active growth. During its dormancy, however, you’ll need to provide cooler conditions, generally somewhere between 50 to 55 degrees F. (10-13 C.).

Give this houseplant a well-draining sandy soil, preferably the type most suitable for growing cacti and succulent plants. Pot your plant in a hanging basket so its trailing foliage can hang down.

String of Pearls Care

As with most succulent plants, the string of beads requires little care. However, while there’s little maintenance involved with growing a rosary string of beads plant, you will need to provide it with some care.

This succulent plant is drought tolerant, surviving long periods without water. In fact, the plant’s water-storing abilities allow it to be watered thoroughly one week and then pretty much forgotten the next week or two. Watering too often can increase the chances of root rot. Be sure to let the soil dry out at least half an inch (1 cm.) or so between waterings. In winter, cut back watering to about once monthly.

Occasionally, you may find that pruning becomes necessary as part of your string of pearls care in order to maintain its size or appearance. This is simple to do. Trim off any dead stems and pearls, as well as any stems that have lost a lot of their ‘beads.’ Pruning back will help promote fuller, more compact plants.

Even better than its ease of care is the fact that you can share the plant with others. Whenever pruning is in order, you can take advantage of the plant’s easy propagation. Simply place a cutting or two in a pot of soil and they will easily take root.

The string of beads houseplant makes an excellent conversation piece. Your family, friends, and neighbors will love it as much as you will.

Note: Since this succulent plant is considered to be somewhat toxic, it is recommended that care be taken when growing string of beads houseplant in homes with pets or small children.

How to make a wedding bracelet with beads and pearls

Geula AG

In this video tutorial you will learn how to make a Sparkling Wedding Bracelet with pearls, beads and crystal beads. At the very beginning, the bracelet begins with the weaving of the clasp and weaves along the entire length to the end - the main thing: do not skip the links - rapport of the pattern - in the video I show in detail how to do this, so as not to make a mistake, I linger on some points on which the next stage of weaving the pattern depends . I wish you all a pleasant viewing and success! nine0003

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