String of Pearls Care

How to grow the stunning string of pearls!

Today we’re talking about one of the coolest succulents I own—the string of pearls. I love trailing plants and easy succulents, and this one fits the bill for both of those.

String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is a species of flowering plant native to the arid regions of southwestern Africa. Its unique plump, round leaves look a lot like green peas—or pearls—strung along skinny stems. And it’s not a particularly challenging plant to care for. So let’s dive in to what you need to know to help this plant thrive!

Light

I think light 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, because this plant likes loads of bright, indirect light.

It can even withstand some direct sun. Just make sure to acclimate your plant slowly to more intense light. Too much light too quickly will burn the plant’s leaves—which I’ve done!

They must acclimate slowly to the intensity of outdoor sun, so start with direct morning sun only. Below is a picture of a string of pearls propagation that I slowly acclimated to the point of getting direct sun all afternoon and into the early evening.

Outdoors, 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 use a grow light.

If you’re new to using artificial lighting with your plants, you can read more about How to Use Grow Lights for Houseplants.

Soil

Use a well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix. These soils replicate the plant’s harsh native conditions by using things like sand, rocks, and perlite. I sometimes make my own succulent soil using a mixture of 1/3 houseplant soil, 1/3 sand, and 1/3 perlite. Check out my tips 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.

Water

In nature, soaking downpours give this plant the moisture it needs to both feed its roots in the soil and store reserves in its plump little leaves. Mimic this indoors by soaking your plant’s soil roughly twice a month in the spring and summer. Less in the fall and winter when it’s cooler and there is less light.

Keep in mind that watering frequency depends heavily on how well-draining your soil is, what the temperature and humidity are, how much light your plant is getting. That’s why you water less in the winter. 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, signs of which are yellowing, mushy leaves; an odd smell coming from the soil; and fungus gnats. 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.

Bottom watering

Bottom watering is when you fill a reservoir with water and set your plant in it. The plant will soak up moisture through its drainage holes. It’s often best to bottom water plants that have delicate foliage—or ones with a lot of nooks and crannies that can allow water to pool. Watering from the bottom prevents any pooling on leaves, which can lead to fungal growth.

If you’re new to bottom watering, see my article about How to Bottom Water Plants. Some people find it to be a simple way to water their plants, but it’s not strictly required for string of pearls.

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 fine to water your string of pearls plants from the top.

Temperature

String of pearls plants generally tolerate a range of normal indoor room temperatures and then some—from 55 to 85 or so degrees Fahrenheit. If you have it outdoors for the summer, the plant may need additional water during heat waves.

While string of pearls tolerates heat, it does not like the cold. Don’t leave it outdoors once temperatures start dropping down into the low 50s. It is also not frost tolerant at all.

Repotting

String of pearls plants grow pretty fast. Several inches to over a foot each year! It’s time to repot when you 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, and make sure your pot has drainage holes!

These plants also have shallow and very delicate root systems. This makes them good candidates for small planters or dish gardens. But I have planted string of pearls plants in traditional pots many times with success.

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.

Pruning

As your 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 plant that overall may look a bit unhealthy.

To 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. When you trim a stem, new growth will sprout from just above the cut point.

Toxicity

According to the University of Wisconsin, string of pearls is slightly toxic. Ingesting the plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and a loss of appetite. It is always a good idea to keep all plants out of reach of children and pets.

Wrapping up…

The string of pearls is a great addition to any succulent or trailing plant collection. It thrives indoors with proper care—plenty of light, a well-draining soil, and infrequent watering are the keys to maintaining a healthy, happy plant. Good luck!

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