Water Propagating String of Pearls

String of Pearls, or Senecio rowleyanus, is a string of beads or peas plant from the succulent family.

String of pearls has recently grown in popularity due to their unique trailing nature. This creeping perenial succulent is a beautiful plant to have in most spaces. However, it is a short lived plant- they typically only live between 3-5 years.

Due to this short life span it is beneficial to understand the care and best ways to continue growth through propagation.So, why propagate? For a continuation of a plant that you may enjoy, as well as producing a parent plant that once trimmed from the snippets becomes a fuller and healthier plant.

From this post you will walk away with the knowledge and basic skills to water propagate your own set of string of pearls.

For String of Pearls, like most succulents, once rooted need well aerated and drainage. These plants are best grown in dry environments so being conscience of the potting soil used is important. I personally use the succulent potting mix from miracle gro and add in additional gravel at the bottom of my plant to allow excess water to drain below.

For propagation, you will need a parent plant, clean/sterile scissors (to ensure you do not provide bacteria to the new plant), a source of water, and container.

For after the plant has started to sprout roots you will need a pot. Typically I keep mine in smaller pots between 4-6 inches deep. Soil, I have listed the soil that I personally use, but you may have your own preference. As well as a drainage gravel- this can be simply cleaned rocks from outside or you can purchase this at your local store.

Step 1: Obtaining a clipping or cutting from a parent plant. For this portion you will take your parent plant and sterile scissors. From your parent plant you will simply choose a strand of your strings. I typically choose from my healthy strands with pearls that are medium size, not showing bloat or any shriveling.

From my experience taking a stem between 2" - 4" has been a safe range for regrowth. Once cut I will take the first 2-3 pearls off to allow for the stem to be submerged in water.

*Note: Stems are very fragile. So for this portion be careful when taking the pearls off.

Step 2:

In this second step you will have your source of water for the stem you just clipped.

Typically I use a small cup or mason jar for the stem to rest in. I will place the portion of the clipped stem with the pearls removed so that this portion is fully submerged in the water. From here you will set the container in an area with full indirect light. I usually use a kitchen window that is a good source of lighting in my home.

*Note: for a fuller starting plant you may do several clippings to plant together.

Step 3: Wait, as we all know growth takes time. For cuttings this will take anywhere from 2-5 days, the roots will begin to appear and may look translucent. You will know that the roots are ready for soil once they appear white and have about an inch of growth. I typically wait a week or 2 before transferring to a pot.

Tip: You may add some plant food to the water at the beginning to help speed up healthy growth.

Step 4: At this point we are potting the new plant. As stated before String of Pearls do best in a small well drained container. I will transfer my new plants to either a small pot as shown above or to a mason jar.

My pot set up is a layering as shown above. The base will be a gravel, this can be small shards to large rocks. Then I will add my succulent/cactus soil and the plant.

Ensure the soil used is moist for the new plant, when establishing roots the extra moisture will assist the plant in thriving. Once new growth occurs, this will be seen in additional strands appearing, back off watering.

Note: You will need to be careful with the fragile roots. Additionally pots with the drainage holes are another option to this method.

Step 5: Enjoy your new plant. At this point your plant will be set for your own watering routine and growth. Once established watering will consist of watering the soil until moist and allowing to fully dry between watering sessions.

The most important is keeping a routine of watering/drying cycle similar to the warm dry climate that this plant originates in. This does not mean a set weekly schedule, allow the soil/plant to show you the needs. Allow the plant to grow in a space with direct sunlight for several hours and indirect for the remaining hours of the day.

Note: Over watering will result in root rot as well as other issues that may result in plant death.

You have your very own String of Pearls to add to your home!