The Sweetly, Spicy Scented Flowers of the String of Pearls Plant
by JoyUsGarden in Outside > Backyard
158 Views, 2 Favorites, 0 Comments
The Sweetly, Spicy Scented Flowers of the String of Pearls Plant
String Of Pearls had me at hello. The 1st time I saw one I thought “what is this captivating succulent with the pearl-shaped leaves that must come home with me now?”. But wait, there’s more to love? In case yours has never bloomed, let me introduce you to the flowers of the String Of Pearls plant.
When I bought my 1st String Of Pearls plant years ago, I had no idea that it flowered. I was growing it indoors and didn’t get a bloom on it for 4 years. Once I started growing multiple plants outdoors in my Santa Barbara garden, that’s when I found out they really can put on quite a show.
Talking About Those String of Pearls Plant Flowers:
A very big draw to the flowers growing off curved stems is their fragrance. To me, they smell like a cross between carnations, cloves, and cinnamon. I now live in the desert in Tucson. On warm days back in January, the scent was enticing.
One of my String Of Pearls plant really put on a big show of flowers this year but it didn’t bloom at all last year. This flowering period lasted for about 2 months. Although my plants in Santa Barbara would flower, the blooms weren’t as profuse as here this winter.
What did I do to get mine to flower so abundantly you ask? Nothing. I think this succulent just blooms when it wants to. My succulents are fed with worm compost and compost early every spring; I use Tank’s local compost. Give Dr. Earth’s a try if you can’t find anywhere you live.
Those Puffy Flowers Are Oh So Aromatic.
Worm compost is my favorite amendment, which I use sparingly because it’s rich. I’m currently using Worm Gold Plus. Both enrich the soil naturally and slowly so the roots are healthy and the plants grow stronger. Don’t feed your String Of Pearls a bloom booster fertilizer in hopes of getting it to flower. Succulents don’t need or want it.
Like most succulents, String Of Pearls flower in winter or spring. I believe it’s because they need a cool period to set the blooms. The Torch Aloes in Santa Barbara would put a huge show with their large, vibrant orange blooms on tall stems at the very of fall into winter. The cacti are starting to bloom here in the desert at the very beginning of March.
My String Of Bananas which shares real estate in the same pot with the String Of Pearls and a String Of Hearts flowered this winter but the blooms were much sparser. Because I planted this succulent from short cuttings brought from my Santa Barbara garden, I imagine there will be many more flowers on it next year. And, it’s already trailing longer than the String Of Pearls which was planted from a 6″ pot. I think a String Of Bananas care post will be coming up soon!
Each Individual Fiber-optic Looking Bloom Lasted at Least a Few Days. I Pinched Off the Spent Flowers & Their Stems Once a Week Because It Looked Better.
Inside I’m thinking a String Of Pearls would need very bright light during the day and darkness at night (so not in a family room or kitchen), to be kept on the drier side and have cool evenings to set the blooms. Has yours ever flowered profusely as a houseplant? What conditions was it in and when did it begin blooming?
Happy Gardening!
Nell Foster