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String of pearls indoor 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.

All about string of pearls care & growing this trailing succulent!

String of pearls is a gorgeous trailing succulent that looks lovely hanging in a sunny window. Learn all about string of pearls care, including how much light it needs, what the best soil is, how to propagate it, and more!

Learn how to care for string of pearls, a lovely training succulent!

Today we’re talking about one of the coolest succulents I’ve ever owned—the string of pearls! Maybe I say it’s the coolest succulent I’ve ever owned because I love trailing plants and easy succulents. And this one fits the bill for both of those.

The string of pearls plant (or Senecio rowleyanus, also referred to as a string of beads or string of peas plant) is a succulent with stunning strings of round, bead-like leaves. The leaves actually look a lot like green peas, but the long, skinny stems the leaves grow from make it look a bit like a pearl necklace. 

A string of pearls plant is easy to take care of if you give it the right growing conditions. With the right soil and light, your plant will happily trail to be multiple feet long. They are cute as small plants too.

Table of contents

If you’re looking for something specific, here’s a table of contents that include all of the sections in this care post! Otherwise, enjoy scrolling 🙂

Where is the this succulent from?

Senecio rowleyanus is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. It is native to the arid regions of southwestern Africa, specifically Namibia and South Africa. As with many other succulents, string of pearls has evolved to withstand neglect and dry conditions.

However, you don’t want to ignore it completely. In its natural environment, the climate is warm, sunny, and dry. But soaking downpours give the plant the moisture it needs to both feed its roots in the soil and store reserves in its plump little leaves.

I can’t say exactly when this plant emerged as a popular houseplant for indoor plant hobbyists, but it has been around for as long as I can remember. It’s pretty easy to find, and it’s even easier to propagate, meaning there are lots of pearls out there.

How do you care for string of pearls indoors?

So let’s jump into this plant’s care needs. You’ll likely be growing this plant indoors if you live in an area with all four season like I do. And caring for the plant indoors is simple—you just need to be the most mindful of your lighting conditions.

I think this is the most important step in your pearls care routine because often it is the biggest impediment to growing this plant indoors. Put your string of pearls in your absolute sunniest window.

String of pearls plants need bright light, but they don’t need bright light all day. As long as they receive a few hours a day of direct sunlight, they are fine with indirect sunlight the rest of the day. However, more direct sunlight won’t hurt them. In fact, it will help them flourish!

I will confess that I killed a string of pearls many years ago. I thought it would be fine in my sunny plant corner, but it wasn’t getting enough light. Now that I have my string of pearls in a windowsill in our bathroom, it has exploded with growth.

Does string of pearls need direct sunlight?

Yes, they do need at least some direct sunlight. That’s why it’s best to put your pot of pearls in your sunniest spot indoors. Direct morning sun will not burn the plant. However, monitor your plant if you have a window that gets a ton of direct afternoon sun. Or if you’re putting your plant outdoors for the spring and summer.

I have burned a string of pearls plant by giving it too much direct sunlight outdoors. They must acclimate slowly to the intensity of outdoor sun, so start with direct morning sun only. Below is a pic of a string of pearls propagation that I slowly acclimated to the point of getting direct sun all afternoon and into the early evening.

Bright shade is also usually fine for this plant. I had another string of pearls growing under a covered porch that got only dappled sunlight all day, and it did great. If you don’t have a spot inside or outside that provides your plant with enough light, it’s okay to add a grow light in. Make sure that the grow lights you are using are providing the right spectrum of light for the plant.

I also recommend playing around with the settings and giving the plant some time to adjust to the new light conditions before increasing the light intensity or duration. (If you’re new to using artificial lighting with your plants, you can read more about How to Use Grow Lights for Houseplants.)

What is the best soil choice?

Use a simple well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix. These soils differ from regular houseplant soil in that they facilitate drainage much faster through the addition of things like sand and perlite. I sometimes make my own soil at home using a mixture of 1/3 houseplant soil, 1/3 sand, and 1/3 perlite. Check out my post about How to Make Succulent Soil for more.

If the soil in your pot is too heavy, it will retain too much water and likely lead to root rot. It can also encourage fungal growth and attract things like fungus gnats—no good. Even some houseplant soils can be too heavy for succulents, so always look for something designed for cacti or succulents.

Keep in mind that succulents are generally happiest when they have plenty of drainage via a drainage hole in the bottom of their pot. If the soil is well-draining but the water has nowhere to drain out, then that defeats the purpose 🙂

Do string of pearls like shallow or deep pots?

This is also a good time to walk about pot size. String of pearls plants have shallow and very delicate root systems. This makes them good candidates for small planters or dish gardens. That said, I have planted string of pearls plants in traditional pots many times with success.

It depends on the size of the plant. When you purchase your plant, go with a pot size comparable to what the plant comes in. When you begin to notice roots growing out of the pot’s drainage holes—or when it has been a year or two of great growth—size the pot up an inch or so.

If you plant your string of pearls in a pot that is too big, the soil to roots ratio will be off. And this will lead to the soil retaining too much moisture for the plant—even if you are using well-draining soil.

Here’s a tip for planting things in deep pots if they have shallow root systems. Sometimes you might have a deeper pot that you want to use. You can put a smaller nursery pot upside down in the base of that larger pot to take up some space. Then, fill in dirt around it and plant your string of pearls 🙂

How often should I water string of pearls?

Much like its succulent brothers and sisters, string of pearls plants do not need frequent watering. They can retain moisture in their leaves quite well, so they only need a good watering 1–2 times a month. You can reduce this to once a month in the winter when they aren’t actively growing.

Always keep in mind, though, that the frequency of your watering requirements depends heavily on how well-draining your soil is, what the temperature and humidity are, how much light your plant is getting…so it’s usually just safe to say that you should wait until your plant’s soil dries out completely before watering it again.

Watering your string of pearls too frequently can lead to root rot. On the other hand, if you wait too long to water, you might notice some wilting or flattening/shriveling of the leaves. This can usually be reversed with a good watering if the plant hasn’t been suffering for too long.

It’s usually best to bottom water plants that have delicate foliage—or ones with a lot of nooks and crannies that can allow water to pool. For example, string of hearts plants, hoya rope plants, and—yes—string of pearls plants. Watering from the bottom prevents any pooling on leaves, which can lead to fungal growth.

However…I have an unexplained resistance to bottom watering. (If you’re new to bottom watering, see my post about How to Bottom Water Plants.) Some people find it to be a simple way to water their plants, but I find it throws off my entire watering routine.

I also like to hose down foliage when I water plants to make sure I am cleaning off dust and debris from leaves and stems. This is a great pest management best practice. So I can speak from personal experience when I say that it’s generally fine to water your string of pearls plants from the top.

However, I do recommend watering them in the morning. This way, the water will evaporate relatively quickly, avoiding the potential for pooling water. if you begin to notice issues and suspect they are from traditional watering, give bottom watering a go and see if it helps!

What does an overwatered string of pearls look like?

If you suspect you’ve overwatered your string of pearls, there are a number of things you can look out for. Here are a few of the big ones.

If you think your string of pearls plant is overwatered, the first thing you should do is stop watering it and allow the soil to dry out completely. If the plant has already developed root rot, you will need to remove the plant from the soil, trim off the affected roots, and repot the plant in fresh soil.

Temperature & humidity requirements

String of pearls plants are not too picky about humidity. They do well in average conditions. They also generally tolerates a range of comfortable indoor room temperatures and then some—from 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

It can live outdoors in the summer, but keep an eye on how it’s doing and move it if necessary. If it is super hot outside, the plant will likely need more water. If you’re going through an abnormal heat snap, consider moving the plant into the shade during peak sun.

While string of pearls is tolerant to some levels of heat, it does not like the cold. Don’t leave it outdoors once temperatures start dropping down into the low 50s. It will probably revolt and begin dropping leaves. It is also not frost tolerant at all.

How do I make my string of pearls fuller?

As your string of pearls plant grows, you may notice that the leaves become smaller. You may also notice some areas of the stem that are bare because they’ve dropped leaves. This can lead to a scraggly, leggy looking plant that overall may look a bit healthy.

Do make your plant fuller, grab your scissors! I love pruning my plants to promote new, healthy growth, and it also has the benefit of encouraging fullness in the plant. That’s because, when you trim a stem, new growth will sprout from just above the cut point. And it will grow a bit off to the side.

This encourages a fuller look because the stems are not all growing straight down. You’ll need to continue providing optimal care conditions to ensure new growth is full and healthy, though. Plenty of light!

For more succulents, check out my post about Echeveria Care & Growing Echeveria Succulents Indoors, my Burro’s Tail Care Guide, and my tips about How to Care for the Striking Pickle Plant Succulent!

How long do string of pearls live?

However, if your plant is looking sad and pruning isn’t helping…your plant may be nearing the end of its life. These aren’t plants that live on for decades like some other plants that can be passed down in families. They generally live for several years until they begin slowly dying off.

But have no fear! You can help your plant live on by taking healthy cuttings and propagating them. I view these propagations as a new generation of the plant. It might not be the exact same plant, but it’s a baby of the plant. So with regularly propagation, your plant can live on basically indefinitely.

Here is a link to the Dropbox folder with the guide!

Can you grow string of pearls from cuttings?

So let’s jump into propagation, then. Because you can grow string of pearls from cuttings. I have a whole post about How to Propagate String of Pearls From Cuttings. But I will provide an overview and some pics here, too.

String of pearls can be easily grown through rooting cuttings in water or rooting cuttings into moist soil. They will begin to root quickly and sprout new growth. While you can propagate string of pearls through division of an existing plant, I don’t recommend it. The plant’s leaves can be fragile and separating the shallow, fragile roots could shock it a bit. 

Here are a few pics of some string of pearls props I’ve done. I’ve rooted them in water and transferred them to soil, but honestly, this plant is a great candidate for skipping water rooting and going directly to soil.

To propagate it, you’ll want to snip a healthy stem from a plant that has maybe 6 to 10 leaves. Remove the bottom 2-4 leaves very gently to expose the growth points. Then bury those exposed growth points in soil. Keep the soil moist for a few weeks; then back off watering the plant so it doesn’t rot.

If you want to root in water first so you can watch the roots grow, just use a shallow dish and make sure the expose growth points on the bottom of your cutting remain submerged at all times. You can also choose to root several short cuttings at once and plant them together, which will help to encourage a full new plant.

Pearls cuttings rooting in a shallow dishString of pearls that started as a propagation!

Does this plant flower?

String of pearls plants can bloom! If you keep your string of pearls in cooler temperatures during its winter resting season and cut back on water a hair, it may help to promote blooming in the spring.

You can achieve cooler temperatures by keeping the string of pearls on a windowsill and away from heat registers; even if the window is closed, it’s still likely one of the cooler spots in your home.

Of you can just do your normal care routine, and you’ll likely be rewarded with some blooms at some point. I don’t do anything special, but my plants have bloomed for me! The flowers don’t really have a scent, and they aren’t traditionally pretty. But they are cool looking, aren’t they?

Do string of pearls grow fast?

Yes, string of pearls plants do grow pretty fast! With the caveat that they must be in ideal care conditions to reach their full potential, of course. The plant can grow several inches to over a foot each year, which is pretty impressive.

They can grow to be 2–3 feet long and still look beautiful and healthy! I have seen pictures of pearls that are even longer than this, but both were from growers who live in grow zones where they can keep their plants hanging outdoors all year long.

Below is an example of growth during one growing season. This plant began as a propagation with several cuttings (first pic) that did not even trail over the side of the pot in the spring. By the end of the year, it looked like the second pic!

Are there any problematic pests?

String of pearls plants are not especially vulnerable to pests. However, they are vulnerable to minor pests that you often find in houseplants: fungus gnats, mealybugs, and aphids.

You can prevent many pest infections by controlling infections in nearby plants that are more vulnerable to houseplant pests. You can also use a store-bought insecticide spray designed for houseplants. They usually do the trick!

Why do I keep killing my string of pearls?

There could be a number of reasons why you are having trouble keeping your string of pearls alive. Here are the top things you can consider when trying to diagnose the cause of your plant’s demise:

If you are unsure of the cause of death in your string of pearls plant, you may want to try taking a cutting and rooting it to see if the problem is with the plant itself or with the growing conditions. This can help you determine what is causing the plant to die and how to prevent it from happening again in the future.

Is this a toxic plant?

According to the ASPCA, string of pearls is toxic to animals. Ingesting the plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and a loss of appetite. It is not listed as toxic to humans by the ASPCA or other sources. However, it is always a good idea to keep all plants out of reach of children and pets just to be safe.

String of pearls care overview

And here is a brief bulleted list of the most important care details I shared in this post. Hoping it helps you quickly reference what you need to help your pearls thrive!

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photos, home care

An amazing indoor plant, resembling a scattering of green beads, can become the main decoration of any home. Rowley is the most spectacular representative of the ragwort genus, with over 2,000 species.

The flower has taken root at home, caring for it does not take much effort, does not require special skills, which won the hearts of exotic lovers.

Contents

Brief description of the string of pearls

Rowley's ragwort (Senecio Rowleyanus) is a succulent. Its homeland is the mountainous regions of the African continent . The climate in these places varies from arid to tropical-wet, which has given rise to an unusual shape of the leaves. They resemble round green beads, are able to absorb moisture and retain it in themselves during a drought.

Outwardly, ragwort leaves look like gooseberries. They are attached to the shoot with a small petiole, reaching a length of 1-1.5 cm. As it grows, the number of leaves increases, so the Rowley ragwort becomes like an outlandish pearl thread, for which it received its second name.

The flowers of the plant are small, white, reminiscent of a dandelion, and have a faint aroma of cinnamon. Due to its unusual appearance, the plant looks good in a flowerpot, from which shoots with round leaves hang down.

Interesting! There are subspecies of Rawley's ragwort, distinguished by light stripes, spots on the leaves. An unusual color gives the plant an additional decorative effect.

Home care

Depending on the time of year, home care for Rowley's ragwort varies. Change the intensity of watering, the duration of daylight hours.

Lighting

African succulent will feel good on any windows, except for northern ones: due to lack of light, the distance between the leaves increases, the shoots stretch, due to which the flower loses its decorative properties. Being on the south side, the succulent receives a sufficient amount of light, but it must be shaded from direct sunlight.

Daylight hours in summer is about 10 hours, in winter the amount of light must be reduced to 8. If the plant does not have enough natural light, then additional illumination with fitolamps is necessary.

Temperature

During the period of active growth from March to October, the air temperature should be 22…25 °C. In winter, when the plant hibernates, the temperature is lowered to 10 ... 12 ° C.

Sudden changes in heat and cold can harm the flower until it dies. In the absence of such a regime, keeping the succulent warm in winter leaves begin to fall off.

Watering

Soil moisture should be moderate - succulents do not tolerate large amounts of water. During the growing season, the ragwort is watered as the topsoil dries up, approximately 1 time in 5–7 days. When the earthen coma is waterlogged, the root system rots, which can cause the plant to die.

In winter, watering should be reduced to 1 every 10-14 days . The amount of water should also be moderate. In order to avoid stagnation of liquid, it is recommended to make a drainage system.

Tip! Soft settled water at room temperature is recommended for irrigation. Watering should be done only under the root, not allowing the leaves to get wet.

Air humidity

Due to its growth in the mountainous regions of Africa, where the climate varies from arid to rainy, the ragwort does not have special requirements for air humidity.

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The plant feels comfortable indoors. At the same time, is still not recommended to place a flower near hot radiators.

Soil

Succulents prefer loose nutrient soils. Ready-made soil mixture can be purchased at a flower shop or made independently. The substrate contains the following components:

The acidity of the prepared soil must be neutral.

Top dressing

Feed the succulent with any complex fertilizer suitable for cacti, liquid universal nutrient mixtures are also allowed. It is necessary to apply nutrients only from March to October , the plant hibernates in winter.

The dosage is indicated by the manufacturer on the bottle with the mineral supplement, it is important to follow the recommendations in order not to harm the flower. Nutrients are added 1 time in 14-17 days. The ragwort must first be watered so that the concentrated nutrient mixture does not damage the roots.

Important! A few months after transplanting into a new soil, the plant does not need to be fertilized, as the soil mixture contains a sufficient amount of nutrients.

Pruning and replanting

Ragwort grows quite slowly, with an annual growth of only 10-15 cm. No pruning is required, because they are the main decoration of the plant. You can strengthen branching, the formation of lateral shoots by pinching the process.

Flower transplantation is carried out by transshipment of an earthen clod, as shown in the photo. It is recommended to water the plant beforehand so that the soil is easier to remove from the old pot.

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It's important not to damage the fragile root system. The new container should be 2-4 cm wider and higher than the previous one. It is important to place drainage at the bottom - expanded clay, coarse perlite after special processing, crushed foam.

Reproduction

A distinctive feature of the succulent is its easy reproduction, which even a beginner grower can handle.

The algorithm is as follows:

  1. Several shoots 5–7 cm long must be separated from the mother plant.
  2. Petioles should be dried for 2–4 hours.
  3. Fill the bottom of a small pot with soil 3–4 cm high. Leaves must first be removed.

Young plants should be placed in a well-lit place, watered as the soil dries.

Tip! It is necessary to plant several cuttings in one pot, thus creating the most decorative appearance of the succulent.

This video tells more about cuttings:

Why is the plant dangerous?

Despite the peaceful appearance, the African guest is fraught with danger. The juice of the plant contains a poisonous substance that causes severe poisoning in humans and animals.

It is recommended to refuse to grow the plant if there are pets or small children in the house who are able to be tempted by the "berries" of the pearl string and taste the round leaves of the ragwort. If, nevertheless, a misfortune has occurred, you need to wash the stomach and call an ambulance.

Caring for a String of Pearls How to Grow a Houseplant from Pearls (Ornamental Gardens)

This creeping succulent, also called a string of beads or a string of pearls, is a strange looking plant that many people love to add to their indoor gardens. Although the flowers may seem small and unappealing to some people, if they are even lucky enough to get them, others find the faint white flowers (which smell a bit like cinnamon) quite desirable.

However, it's the slender, thread-like stems and fleshy, round, beady leaves that make this unusual houseplant a great addition to the home. Learning how to grow a houseplant from pearls is very easy.

How to grow a houseplant from pearls

A string of pearl plant grows well in bright light, including sunlight.

You must provide this chain of houseplant beads with medium room temperatures (about 72°F / 22°C) throughout its active growth. However, during dormancy you will need to provide cooler conditions, usually somewhere between 50 and 55 F. (10-13 C.).

Give this houseplant well-drained sandy soil, preferably the most suitable for growing cacti and succulents. Place your plant in a hanging basket so that its hanging foliage can hang down.

Caring for a string of pearls

Like most succulent plants, a string of pearls does not require special care. However, although growing a beaded rosary plant requires little care, you will need to take care of it. In fact, the plant's ability to conserve water allows it to be watered thoroughly one week and then almost completely forgotten the next or two. 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. In winter, reduce watering to about once a month.

Sometimes you may find that trimming becomes a necessary part of your pearl strand care to maintain its size or appearance.

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