How to Propagate Your String of Pearls Houseplant

Do you love plants? If you answered yes, it’s probably safe to say that you have about three or more plants beautifying your home. Whether you have houseplants like spiders, snakes, succulents, or cactus, the beauty, and indoor air quality is refreshing and beautiful. A String of Pearls is one of those succulent plants that everyone should have in their home. And, once you have one, you can easily share them with friends and family by propagating them!

String of pearls is a beautiful houseplant that can be propagated easily. Propagation involves splitting the plant and planting each half to grow new roots. If you’re interested in learning how to propagate a String of Pearls, read on!

I’ll teach you all about propagating String of Pearls: what it is, how it’s done, and why we recommend this as an easy way for beginners to start growing their own plants at home.

I’ll also tell you where we got our String of Pearls from >> if you want to buy one, visit this houseplant shop here!

About the String of Pearl Plants

String of pearls or senecio rowleyanus, as it’s scientifically known, are a rather easy plant to care for that easily multiplies. This plant is also better in hanging planters due to how it grows. String of pearls are peculiarly vining succulent plants that you can identify due to their pea-shaped leaves, which grow on stems that trail and graciously flow over the hanging basket or planter. These stems can be used to propagate your plant. String of Pearls is a resilient grower that can achieve around five to 15 inches of growth yearly. However, this succulent plant will not survive without regular propagation.

Being of east African descent, string of pearl plants are known to be terrestrial, and it forms a ground cover. These succulents can be planted at any time of year, but it’s best to wait until the warmer months. The spring and summer months are the best time to propagate your string of pearl plants, as it seems to be the time when succulents garner the most energy.

Another unique feature to string of pearls is that it’s capable of growing in the shade, and it develops white flowers in spring with a scent of cinnamon; but, the flowering can be hit or miss for inside plants.

Warning: The string of pearl plants is toxic to humans and pets and should only be handled with gloves.

About Stem Cuttings

Stem cuttings from your Senecio Rowleyanus are the best way to propagate your plant. This method is quick and easy, and you can even use pruned stems. This method is preferred by some as it is quicker than growing from the seed, which is a lengthy process.

Materials Needed

Gather these materials for propagating your String of Pearls:

• Houseplant shears or plant scissors
• A mist spraying watering bottle
• Small plant pot with drainage hole
• Succulent and cactus, well-draining potting mix 
• A healthy string of pearl plants with mature stems

These are optional items dependent on the process that you choose:

• A glass or cup
• Rooting hormone powder
• A pen, chopsticks, or toothpicks
• A big paperclip, floral pin, or staple

Prepare the Cuttings

Your cuttings will need to be healthy and long, at least by several inches. The plant is able to sustain itself and grow because each pearl consists of the nutrients needed, and water to nurture the cutting as it grows. When your string of pearls succulent plant’s stems have begun to grow roots and has a few pearls on them, those should be the ones that you start with.

Use clean, sharp scissors or clippers to perform a clean cut of the stem. Do not use your hands to break the stem. No breaking of stems allowed.

If you’re not performing water rooting, you should allow the cuttings to completely dry out prior to planting, which will allow for the end that is cut to develop a callus that will secure it from bacteria while also preventing root rot.

The string of pearl plants has a minute stem and should therefore only require a few hours to seal. You can go ahead and start filling the pot with soil while your cuttings are drying. You can also dip your stems in rooting hormones, but you need to do it directly after the cutting, but before it scabs over unless you’re performing water propagation. String of pearls plants normally grows so effortlessly that a lot of the time the hormone isn’t necessary.

Ready to Plant Your Cuttings?

You have three options for planting a string of pearl plants, with each option having its own benefits. You can:

• Plant it
• Root it in water
• Lay it on the surface

Option One: Remove some pearls from the lower part of your string of pearls and go ahead and plant the cutting in the pot of soil. You need to first create a hole in the soil, then place the cuttings gently into the hole, since the stems are fragile and cannot be jammed into the soil. Consider using chopsticks, the tip of a pen, or even a toothpick, to create your hole and plant the stem.

Option Two: Root your cuttings in water. Yep, that’s it! You’re probably wondering, “if I can just put it in water, why bother with all the messy soil?” Well, for one, it’s a longer process. It’s sort of like giving your roots a head start prior to placing them in the soil. You simply need to strip off the bottom leaves of your string of pearls plant and place them in a glass of water. Be sure to maintain the same level of water until you start to see many white roots on your cutting, which will take several weeks.

When you have many roots that have grown a few inches long, you can plant them in a pot of soil. What makes this method so great is that you’re able to watch the roots of your plant grow.

Option Three: You can lay your cutting flat on top of the potting mix and ground it by either pinning it down with

• A Staple
• Floral Pin
• Bent Paperclip

Soon enough, you will see the roots start to grow where the stem is in contact with damp soil, and the longer your cutting is the bushier your succulent.

Just Growing Your Cuttings

Regardless of the planting technique that you choose, the soil must remain moist. Use a spray bottle to mist the soil when your string of pearls starts to dry out to maintain a good balance of moisture. Do not stream water into or on your plant as it could wash away the cuttings due to it being too harsh.

Use indirect lighting for your cuttings and avoid direct sunlight to stave off sunburn, but your succulent should do okay within a few feet of a bright window. Yes, your plants can get sunburned, they’re living things too.

Once your roots are established and the stems are vigorously growing, your cuttings are deemed full plants. You can start transitioning to regular lighting and watering requirements for your string of pearls succulent plant. You can transfer your plant to a hanging or another style planter at this point.

Care For Your String of Pearls

Taking care of your string of pearls is simple, this succulent only requires:

• Bright but indirect lighting
• Well-draining succulent/cactus soil
• The “soak and dry” watering method
• Warm weather is essential, as this succulent can not handle cold

The rootball of the spring of pearls (Senecio Rowleyanus) is little, so it’s best to use a small plant pot to avoid the risk of root rot or high moisture. I have a great blog post HERE all about caring for your String of Pearls. 

Where to Buy?

You can buy yours on Amazon, Etsy, or at your local Nursery.

Conclusion

Well, partner, that’s about it when it comes to propagating your string of pearl plants. To learn more about caring for your succulents or other plants – and pet care, or if you want to stay up to date on tips, advice, houseplants, and pets, you can join my email list here.

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