String Of Pearls

String Of Pearls Care

Senecio rowleyanus

Other names: String Of Beads

What is the plant

Senecio rowleyanus is cultivated at home as an ampelous plant and characterized by unpretentiousness and rapid growth.

In its natural habitat in South Africa, this succulent grows in poor, rocky soil, rooting as groundcover-like shoots grow.

Long stems with modified green leaves are a distinguishing trait and remarkable beauty of the plant. Long strands with strung beads appear to hang from a flower pot.
A thin, transparent band runs along the leaves to allow light into the leaf for photosynthesis. At the same time, the spherical shape reduces surface area, protecting the leaf from extreme heat and minimizing moisture loss.

The plant shoots are thin, nearly filiform, and remarkably sturdy for such a delicate succulent, with whips up to 24 in (60 cm) long and up to 40 in (100 cm) long in older plants.

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Humidity

Dry

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

18°C - 25°C

Hardiness zone

10a - 11b

Difficulty

Hard

Hibernation

Cold Period

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
This succulent isn't the most drought-resistant; when the soil is fully dry for an extended length of time, it turns brittle and stops growing. On the other hand, overflow is even worse since its shoots decay fast. To minimize any hazards, let the substrate dry up to 4-6 cm before watering again, and only irrigate with a modest amount of water.
Pruning
Only the lashes that are excessively long, have shed all of their leaves, or have been damaged should be taken off from this plant. And the oldest shoots, which have lost their ornamental value. It is not essential to cut the branches all the way to the ground; instead, only shorten the damaged sections.
Fertilizer
Fertilizers are applied one and a half months after transplantation.
Feed once every three weeks with half the dose if it is standard fertilizer for indoor flowers and a full dose of fertilizer for cacti.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
Succulents are continually exposed to the bright light in nature thus the best position in the home for them is the southwest or west exposure.

On the south side, the plant does well in autumn, winter, and summer outdoors, but indoors it requires shading from aggressive rays.
Soil
The ideal soil for growing String of Pearls is substrate for cacti and succulents. Sand and loosening components in the soil mixture must be present, but sufficient nutritional value of the soil is also essential. With the addition of perlite or sand, the plant can grow in good quality all-purpose soil. Optimal pH values are from 5.0 to 6.0.
Propagation
Splitting old plants into numerous parts is the fastest way to create vigorous bushes. However, you will be unable to do so without partial loss due to root damage. Cuttings are recommended since they require more patience but are also less dangerous.

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Temperature
From spring to autumn, String of Pearls prefers warm temperatures in the range of 70-80 °F (22-27 °C). In winter, the desired daytime temperature is around 55-60°F (13-16 °C).

The plant is sensitive to cold drafts, so be careful when airing the room.
Container
The plant has a small root system, so the pot should only be one size larger and not deep. At the bottom, a thick drainage layer of expanded clay or fine gravel is preliminarily laid out.
Fun fact
The shrub produces delicate white blooms with brightly colored stamens during the winter months. The blossoms are frequently described as smelling like cinnamon.