String of pearls plant
12 • 2019
Photo by Forest and Kim Starr.
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f you think of container plants as thrillers, spillers and fillers, string of pearls fits the bill as both a spiller and a thriller. This charming emerald green plant grows strings of little balls that, in their natural habitat, spread along the ground and grow in mats. You will grow them in a pot, though, where they will spill over the edge and thrill with their uncommon form. The problem is that string of pearls is not a filler. Those new to the plant will wonder why there is so little going on at the pot surface level; the plants give nothing on top. If you’re looking for a plant to bring to someone new to houseplants, this is not it. But if you’re looking for something for a plant addict, look no further than string of pearls. Water It is easy to take care of when it lives and difficult when it dies. Outdoors in hot places it probably does better; sources say it doesn’t need watering more than once per month. Indoors, it is not super drought tolerant but will rot if it is over-watered. One solution is to plant it in sandy soil and make sure it is in a free-draining pot. Watering depends on your household humidity, but probably every two or three weeks is enough. And do not mist. Food Once per year is often enough for feeding string of pearls. Be cautious what feed you use on it, too, because high salts will burn the roots. This plant is a succulent and succulents don’t need much fertilizing. Liquid kelp or fish emulsion are a couple of good choices. Light You’ll know your string of pearls is healthy and happy when the pearls are fat and there are a lot of them at the top of the plant. If they get a little stretched out in the summer; try keeping them further from the window. String of pearls does not look for direct sunlight, but it does need a bright space to do well. Ideally, it should be kept in a room with a south or west exposure
It’s easy to see why Senecio rowleyanus is known as the string of pearls plant.
but not placed in the window. Propagation You can make more of these plants to keep or give away by pinching off about four inches of the plant and rooting it in moist soil. Alternatively, lay the entire piece on top of the Issue 1
soil; roots should grow from each node. Once you have this plant in a situation where it is happy, you may be blessed with little white flowers that smell like honey and cinnamon. Heaven! h localgardener.net
