Succulents make a great addition to any houseplant collection, especially if you live in a warm or sunny environment. But you don’t have to have the ideal conditions indoors to keep these desert-loving plant thriving. Start with string of pearls, a forgiving (and adorable) plant that makes a great introduction to the succulent family. Native to the southern tip of Africa, the string of pearls plant is easily identified by its trailing vines of pea-like leaves. Despite looking like a delicious snack, the leaves are actually toxic to both humans and pets, so place it up high or out of reach of curious little ones.
Caring for your string of pearls can seem daunting at first (so many strands to monitor!), but with a few easy tricks and a watering schedule, this plant can do just as well as other low-maintenance options. To get the best care tips and tricks, we asked The Sill plant expert Paris Lalicata to offer some expert guidance. Read on for string of pearls plant care guidance to help you keep it thriving.
How to Care for a String of Pearls Plant
Potting and Soil
We suggest using a succulent-specific soil mix or combining standard potting soil with ample amounts of draining aids like sand, pearlite, or drainage pebbles for water control and to help prevent your plant from getting soggy roots. Lalicata says, “Avoid using standard potting mixes, which retain too much moisture or have too much nutrients. Since the plant is slow growing, it can live in the same planter for several years.”
To really show off your plant, we recommend potting string of pearls in a hanging vessel or on a ledge that allows its dramatic strands of round leaves to trail down. Lalicata suggests picking a shallow container to support its shallow-growing roots.
Sunlight
Like jade plants and other succulents, a string of pearls plant does best when it gets a combination of bright direct and bright indirect sunlight. “Being a succulent, this plant is not suited for low light conditions and should be placed directly in a window or under a grow light,” Lalicata says. “An east- or west-facing window is ideal, but a slightly diffused south exposure can also work. If placed in a north window, consider supplementing light with a grow light.”
Fertilizing
Lalicata says you should occasionally fertilize your plant in the spring and summer months when it’s actively growing or topdress (fill in the planter) it with fresh soil.
Water
It’s important to keep your string of pearls plant’s soil moist but never soggy. It’s easy to overwater this plant, so be sure to check the water levels by touching the soil before watering again. “Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings before giving it a deep soak to evenly and thoroughly saturate the soil. This is known as the soak-and-dry method,” Lalicata explains. Plants in hotter climates may need water more frequently, every week or so, all depending on sun exposure and inside temperatures.
Temperature and Humidity
String of pearls plants prefer to grow in warm temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit during most of the year, but they can also thrive in the winter as long as the temperature doesn’t drop below 50 degrees. This plant prefers low humidity, so avoid placing it in any already-humid areas of your home, like a kitchen or bathroom without proper ventilation. “Normal room humidity is fine around 30 percent or lower, but avoid any higher than 50 percent. The higher the humidity, the less you’ll have to water,” Lalicata explains.
Overwintering
Remember, string of pearls likes a dry, warm climate. When grown indoors, overwintering isn’t a concern. If you keep your plant outside, however, you’ll want to bring it in ahead of the first frost or when temperatures dip below room temperature (60 to 70 degrees).
How to Propagate a String of Pearls Plant
You can propagate a string of pearls plant easily from stem cuttings. “Trim back any dead or shriveled pearls to enhance the appearance, which can also encourage fuller growth,” Lalicata says. “Stem cuttings can be taken for propagation to root in water or soil. The cuttings can then be planted separately or planted back into the base of the same plant to create more fullness.”
Follow these steps from the University of Wisconsin Horticulture Extension:
- Cut a few stems, directly below a leaf, at least a few inches long.
- Strip the bottom portion of the cuttings of any leaves.
- Replant the stems in a container of moist succulent soil mixture. Roots should form pretty quickly (within a few weeks).
- Mist regularly to avoid overwatering while roots form.
Common Problems for String of Pearls Plants
Dried-Out Leaves
Shriveling or wilting legs and leaves are common indicators of underwatering, too much sun, or a combination of the two. We recommend watering your plant immediately and then moving it to a slightly shadier area for a few days to help it recover.
Purple Leaves and Mushy Stems
These two traits are clear signs of overwatering. They’re also likely indicators of root rot. You can try to save the plant by drying it out, but it might be too late. Propogating and starting from scratch may be your best option.
Leaf Drop
If you notice wilting or dropping leaves, Lalicata says your string of pearls is in need of more sun. Move to a brighter area and give it some time to bounce back before watering it again.
String of Pearls FAQ
How Often Should I Water My String of Pearls Plant?
We recommend watering your string of pearls succulent only when the soil is dried out to the touch. If your plant is in a terra-cotta pot, an especially bright spot, or a warm climate, you’ll likely need to water more often than if your plant receives less sunlight.
Should I Prune My String of Pearls?
Pruning away any dead, dry, or leafless stems can help clean up the look of your plant, but it’s ultimately not necessary for the health of your string of pearls plant. Pruning and propagating can also help control any unwieldy growth or overgrowth.
Does a String of Pearls Need Direct Sunlight?
No. As Lalicata says, bright indirect sun is plenty for a string of pearls plant. An east- or west-facing window is ideal, but a slightly diffused (indirect) south exposure can work.
