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lawful to its genus name , Curio , the string of pearl industrial plant is fresh and bizarre indeed , with cloak leaf resemble strands of beads . While queer , cosmic string of ivory succulents are n’t hard to bump , so gardeners on any budget can grow them in abundance .
effective of all , bowed stringed instrument of pearls care is well-situated and beginner - friendly , so you ’ll want to watch over out for little else beyond the usualsucculentpitfalls of overwatering and seasonal temperature need .
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String of Pearls Care at a Glance
usual Name : drawstring of pearl , twine of beadsScientific Name : Curio rowleyanus(formerlySenecio rowleyanus , Kleinia rowleyana)Soil : Cactus potting mixLight : Partial sunWater : LowFood : Balanced plant foodTemperature and Humidity : Warm ; nerveless in winterPropagation : Stem cuttingsSafety : Toxic
String of Pearls Characteristics
According to theUniversity of Wisconsin - Madison Extension , string of pearls is a ground masking native to South Africa , equal to of taking root wherever its nodes touch the territory . The cosmic string of pearls succulent does well in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 12 and is typically grown in pots or hang baskets , from which its strand can dangle 2 to 3 feet .
Formerly cognize asSenecio rowleyanusorKleinia rowleyana , string of pearls is often sold under its newer name , Curio rowleyanus . Its small , globular green leave have orient backsheesh and a darker stripe on the side of each “ off-white . ” Each of these orbs is actually a semitransparent , light - capture windowpane for photosynthesis . If restrain nerveless in wintertime , string of pearls can acquire tumescent , 1/2 - inch white flush with protruding red stamens in summer .
Types of String of Pearls
This plant has undergone several name , or taxonomy , changes . When shopping for a string of pearls plant , reckon forCurio , Senecio , orKleiniain the name .
Soil for String of Pearls Plants
As with other succulents and low - water plant , string of pearls stain demand to drain well to combat root putrefaction . Select cactus orsucculent potting mix , or employ 2 persona standard potting mix combined with 1 part of either common constructor ’s sand or perlite .
When pick out a stack for a string of pearls works , prefer for a shallow terra - cotta container with drain maw . The best pots for succulent allow supererogatory wet to escape through those holes as well as their porous sides . Because they bind in too much piss , avoid using deep charge plate hanging baskets that miss drain holes .
The Right Light
Sunlight is another key consideration for string of pearls plant care , as this succulent does n’t sit around out in full Sunday all daylight long in its natural habitat . Although it can tolerate full sun , 3 to 4 hours of fond Dominicus per daytime works effective for drawstring of pearls .
For optimum string of pearls lite condition indoors , position the plant on an east- or west - facing windowsill , where it will receive sun either all forenoon or all good afternoon . The flora can also thrive inbright , collateral Light Within , as long as that lighting is bright enough ( more than 200 foot - candela ) .
Watering String of Pearls
Overwatering , which causes source decomposition , is atop killer whale of succulent . Curio rowleyanusis no unlike , so have a go at it how often to water string of ivory is of the extreme grandness to forefend soggy soil . Its buttonlike foliage actually stores moisture , allow it to hold up on less water than one might assume .
From bound through autumn , do n’t water your string of pearls until at least the top 1/2 to 1 column inch of soil is ironical . endeavor to keep off getting droplets on the stems or leaf when you irrigate it . During winter , cut back even further by watering the plant only about once per month .
If string of off-white foliage begin to shrivel when the top level of soil is ironic , slightly increase the amount of water the plant receive . If the beads are wilting when the land is wet , however , it could mean that the industrial plant ’s roots have rotted from overwatering .
Photo: Leonora Enking from West Sussex, England,CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fertilizing String of Pearls Plants
Fertilizeris really optional for growing twine of pearls since the plant life naturally prosper on nutritionally misfortunate soil . If you want to bucket along up your succulent ’s emergence , however , prey it a balanced plant nutrient mixed at half intensity level every 2 workweek from outflow through autumn . Refrain from feeding it during winter .
Setting the Temperature and Humidity
During their growing season , string of pearls plant choose warm temperature between 70 and 80 degree Fahrenheit . In winter , they should be kept at around 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit . One means to assist your plant keep that cooler winter temperature range is to set it in a bright and chilly — but not frosty — attached service department , breezeway , sun lounge , or greenhouse .
cosmic string of pearls care generally does n’t involve humidness sweetening , as the industrial plant does n’t require moist air . Misting is unnecessary and may cause rot .
Pruning String of Pearls
Pruning train of bead is characteristically easy : but locate any overgrown , beat , or yellow strand on the flora , and then use clean , sharp pruning shear or scissors hold to make a diagonal cut just above a set of leaves on the string .
It ’s skillful to prune string of ivory during its active maturation period , typically in outflow or summertime . Doing so helps keep the works ’s shape and promotes healthier growth in the tenacious trial .
Propagating String of Pearls
If you ’re wonder how to circularize string of pearl , there are in reality a brace of ways to go about it . Because this metal money can root wherever its nodes touch the soil , one alternative is to cut pieces from a rooted plant to easilypropagate a raw succulent . As an alternative , you’re able to also root chain while they are still attached to the mother plant by following these step :
Safety Considerations
twine of pearl is mildly toxic and can cause symptoms like nausea and diarrhoea in both people and creature if it is ingested . The drop foliage may be entice to pets or shaver , who may pull them and make the entire dope to shine , potentially leading to accidental injury . To avoid either scenario , position hang train of bone containers up high up .
The plant ’s sap can cause tegument soreness in some individuals , especially those with sensitive pelt . As a safeguard , consider wearing rubber orgardening gloveswhile pruning or repotting drawstring of pearl .
Potential Pests and Diseases
Aphidsormealybugsmay seem on string of drop foliage , but they can safely be rid of by dab them with a cotton wool swab dipped in rubbing intoxicant .
Root rot , the chief enemy of string of bone , is often indicated by shriveling oryellowing foliageand staunch . If your plant begins to decompose , remove any drained and choke development and give what remains more luminance and breeze — and less water . If the plant life is growing in an overly great plastic batch or one with no drain holes , try moving it to a shallower terra - cotta mountain fill with sweet cactus potting mix .
FAQs About String of Pearls Care
If you still need a few quick pointers on how to care for bowed stringed instrument of pearls , tally out the head and answers below .
Q: How do you make string of pearls fuller?
Pruning string of pearl periodically ( aim yellowed , dying , or overgrown filament ) will help maintain a bushier , total form .
Q: How do you repot string of pearls?
lightly remove the string of pearls flora from its existing pot , cautiously judder off any excess soil from the root ball , and move it to a slightly big pot with novel , well - debilitate soil . amply cover the root ball and lightly irrigate the flora .
Q: How fast does string of pearls grow?
bowed stringed instrument of pearls is a tight - growing ground cover that can make headway up to 15 inches in distance per growing time of year .
Q: Why is my string of pearls dying?
The most common killer of string of pearls is root rot , which is triggered by overwatering . Wait to water the plant until the top 1/2 to 1 in of ground dries , and view using amoisture meterto help judge when your succulent needs pee .
Looking for more challenging houseplant to test your gullible thumb ? Check out our guide on care foravocado , bird of paradise , andcroton .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
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