The String of Dolphins is one of the cutest succulents in the entire world! Who wouldn’t want to learn to propagate them so you can share them with friends and family or just have more for yourself? With a clean knife and a couple of days, propagating a String of Dolphins is a fun project anyone can do!

This blog post will teach you how to propagate your string of dolphin plants to have more plants for your home or office.

Propagating String of Dolphins Is Easy

Propagating your own String of Dolphins plant is a fun and easy way to add some green to your home. All you need is a mature String of Dolphins plant with healthy stems, a sharp pair of scissors, and a spot to put the propagated pieces. The process itself is simple; just find the right node on each stem, snip just below it, and place the cuttings in soil or water. Once the cuttings have roots of their own, re-plant them and enjoy! With a little luck, not only will you get an abundance of new growth from your original plant, but also beautiful cascading foliage that brings brightness and joy into your space for years to come!

A String of Dolphins is a beautiful and easy-to-care-for house plant that is perfect for beginners. So let’s get started!

Where to Buy String of Dolphins Plant

• Amazon
• Etsy Plant Shops
• Home Depot
• Local Nursery

About the String Of Dolphins Houseplant

• Botanical Name: Senecio peregrinus
• Common Name: String of Dolphins, dolphin plant, flying dolphins, the dolphin necklace
• Appearance: Senecio Peregrinus is a rare plant with fleshy leaves that resemble jumping dolphins. Because they are a trailing succulent, you will often see them grown in a hanging basket.
• Plant Type: Succulent
• Size: 6 inches tall
• Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun. I have mine in a south-facing window to get plenty of bright light.
• Soil Type: Well-draining soil mix (you can buy specific cactus or succulent potting mix or just add a large amount of perlite to your normal houseplant soil)
• Native Area: Southwest Africa
• Toxicity: Yes, this plant is toxic to dogs and cats
• About: String of Dolphin succulents are characterized by their iconic dolphin-shaped leaves and long hanging tendrils. They are similar to the String of Pearls and String of Bananas because they look great in a hanging pot, or they can be trained to grow upwards on a trellis or moss pole.

 

Why Propagate String of Dolphins?

With signature foliage, String of Dolphins is undeniably one of the most beautiful plants that people worldwide enjoy propagating from. It’s mainly because propagating from this succulent is straightforward for a beginner or an expert.

Whether you are looking for its propagation by soil or water, it will result in a fresh, rich-looking succulent plant that you can easily take care of.

You can propagate String of Dolphins for two significant reasons:

The first and most common is salvaging a failing plant. Most gardeners grow new plants to start things fresh when the initial plan does not work.

A String of Dolphins is an easy plant to salvage. You’ll need to cut a healthy tendril from the mother plant, which should be enough for a brand-new plant.

The second reason for propagating String of Dolphins is that it is an easy-to-grow and enjoyable plant for your home. The plant is hardy and drought-tolerant and can thrive even when you periodically forget to water it.

It offers a vibrant green hue and fragrant flowers as a succulent plant. With the ease of maintaining the plants, you can easily make copies without noticeable adjustments to your weekly gardening routine.

How to Propagate String of Dolphins

What You Need To Propagate a String of Dolphins Houseplant

Before you begin propagating String of Dolphins at home, it’s a good idea to gather all the appropriate tools and materials required for the process.

You’ll need the following items to start propagating:

• A clean, sharp knife or a pair of scissors or plant shears
• Healthy Plant
• Well-draining Potting Soil (if propagating directly to soil)
• Filtered, distilled water (if propagating in water)
• Rooting Hormone (optional)
• Depending on your space, you may require a shade or curtain to block direct sunlight.

How Do You Propagate A String Of Dolphins?

The common and most effective ways one can use to propagate String of Dolphins plants to reach their true potential properly include:

1. Water Propagation: Propagating a String of Dolphins plant cuttings in water (in my opinion, the best way)
2. Direct to Soil: Propagating String of Dolphins plant cuttings in soil

Propagating in Water

This easy way to create new plants requires no special equipment. All you need are the materials named above and a selection of your String of Dolphins plant.

These are the steps to follow:

• Step 1: Cut a suitable strand of String of Dolphins measuring about 3-5 inches. Cut off the low-bearing foliage to avoid rotting.
• Step 2: Place the strand in a glass jar and fill it with distilled water. Avoid using tap water that contains harsh chemicals like fluoride and chlorine that can affect the progress of growth.
• Step 3: Place the glass jar in a west-facing window. Ensure the position does not get excess direct sunlight.
• Step 4: Replace the water in the jar every week to replenish oxygen and nutrients
• Step 5: After a few weeks, you will notice thin, long tendril-like roots. After they develop, transfer the plant to a new container will well-draining soil.

The advantages of these types of propagation are that you will see the development of roots and reduce the chances of bacteria or fungi in soil propagation.

Propagating in Soil

For soil propagation, consider ‘the callus.’ This is the soft tissue formed on the wound after cutting the String of Dolphins. This is where roots will start taking hold.

The next steps to follow are:

• Step 1: Cut a strand of the String of Dolphins measuring about 3-5 inches. Ensure you use a sterile knife or pair of scissors.
• Step 2: Be patient until the callus form. This usually takes about two days.
• Step 3: Pout the cutting in a container with prepared soil mix.
• Step 4: Dip the end of the cutting in your preferred rooting hormone to promote new growth.
• Step 5: Place the container with drainage holes in a bright space with indirect sunlight.

Propagating String of Dolphins with soil has the added benefit of securing cutting in place to strengthen its roots.

String of Dolphins Care Tips

Now that you have successfully propagated your String of Dolphins, it is time to provide the best care for your new plants. Here are some essential tips:

Light Requirements:

Like most succulent plants, String of Dolphins enjoys bright light but can also tolerate low-light situations. Avoid direct sunlight as it can damage the leaves. During the winter season, you may need to supplement with a grow light to ensure your plant is getting enough light.

Watering:

Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering. Water deeply and infrequently to avoid root rot. Root rot is caused by the plant sitting in too moist soil because of too much water. To help prevent root rot, ensure you use proper succulent soil and that your planter has drainage holes.

Fertilizing:

As an indoor plant, you can fertilize String of Dolphins succulents every two weeks during the growing season with a succulent fertilizer. You will need to stop fertilizing during the fall and winter.

Pests and Diseases:

These plants are relatively resistant to common pests and diseases. However, they can be susceptible to mealybugs and root rot.

RELATED READ: What is Root Rot?

Temperature Range:

They do best in warm, sunny, dry climates. String of Dolphins succulent is native to Southern Africa and will not tolerate frosts or freezing temperatures.

Indoors, temperatures between 65 and 85°F are ideal, and it does not require high humidity.

FAQS

Why is propagating plants?

The answer is that it takes very little attention. The bottom line is that propagating String of Dolphins plants is simple and easy to achieve with great success.

You can quickly have many brand-new plants using cuttings without going through the seed germination process.

Moreover, propagating in water or soil is a great activity for kids! It’s fun to teach them about the plant life cycle and how new plants are created. I think the water propagation method is fun because you can see all the new roots growing.

Why is my string of dolphins turning yellow?

Dolphin plant leaves usually turn yellow due to overexposure to the sun. Intense direct sunlight can bleach the leaves, making the curved green leaves pale green or yellow. To help revive your plant, place it in an area where it receives bright, but indirect sunlight.

Why is my string of dolphins flat?

If you overwater your plant, the small dolphin-shaped leaves will start to flatten. Stop watering your succulent until the soil completely dries out before watering again. As the soil dries out, the leaves will start returning to their natural curved shape and look like miniature dolphins jumping out of the water.

Why is my String of Dolphins turning brown?

The brown stringy leaves on your dolphin could be caused by overwatering or underwatering. Check the dryness of the soil, and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

Brown tips on the leaves could also be because your plant is getting exposed to too much direct sunlight.

Why is my dolphin plant dying?

Overwatering or severe underwatering are the most common reasons why String of Dolphins start to die.

If you’re looking to save an overwatered, dying string of dolphin succulent plant, hold off on watering it until the soil dries.

If the potting soil is dry and the dolphin leaves are shriveled, water it thoroughly to help revitalize it.

What are the benefits of propagating String of Dolphins?

There are many reasons why you might want to propagate your String of Dolphins plant. Perhaps you want to create more plants to share with friends or family.

Or maybe you’re looking for a way to make your String of Dolphins plant grow faster. Propagation is also a great way to ensure your String of Dolphins plant stays healthy and disease-free.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to propagate String of Dolphins, go ahead and start growing your own! These plants are easy to care for and make a great addition to any indoor space.

You will be rewarded with beautiful, healthy plants with a little patience and effort.

Have you had success propagating String of Dolphins? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below! And be sure to check out our other blog post on how to care for String of Dolphins plants. Thanks for reading!

MORE PROPAGATION POSTS YOU WILL LOVE Propagating Your String of Pearls Houseplant: Easy How-to Guide Learn How to Propagate Heart Leaf Philodendron in Water How to Propagate Your Monstera 10 Easiest Houseplants to Propagate: How-to Guide How To Propagate a Rubber Tree How to Propagate Dieffenbachia Dumb Cane in Water How to Propagate String of Dolphins