One of the most common problems you might experience with a string of pearls plant is underwatering.
Obviously, this is the result of not supplying adequate water to the plant as at when due.
In turn, it causes the plant to not receive the moisture it needs.
Dry leaves can also indicate that the soil is overly compacted, which could prevent water from reaching the roots.
To resolve the problem, you should first determine whether your string of pearls plant is in a proper soil type.
Once you’ve figured that out, let’s dig a little deeper into the 5 common problems of String of Pearls plants:
Overwatering String of Pearls
Among the most common String of Pearls plant problems is overwatering. If you don’t follow proper watering guidelines, your plant may suffer from overwatering.
Watering your string of pearls plant too much can cause it to not absorb sufficient water from the soil. In addition to this, the soil should have good drainage holes. Over-watering will cause it to rot.
Therefore, it’s best to water it every two weeks, and not more than once a month. In some cases, you may be able to water it only once every month.
In addition, it may also become overly stressed, and the leaves may begin to look yellow. If you see these symptoms, you should take action as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
First, make sure that the soil is suited for the type of plant you’re growing. You should use quality succulent or cacti soil.
You can either mix peat moss, perlite, or coarse sand with potting soil or buy a commercially-available-pot mix. To ensure the proper watering and nutrition requirements of your string of pearls, use a pot with sound drainage holes.
Secondly, don’t under-water your plant. If it’s overwatered, it’ll begin to look shriveled, have burst leaves and feel mushy. Another sign of over-watering is brown leaves. This is distinct from under-watering.
In the former case, the leaves will look shrunken, and the rest of the plant will turn brown.
Root rot in String of Pearls
One of the most common causes of a dying string of pearls plant is overwatering. The soil must remain moist between waterings to prevent root rot. Watering too often will also result in weak stems and leafy leaves.
Moreover, too much heat can cause scorched stems and leaves. Proper watering can help avoid these issues.
But if you’re unsure of how to care for your string of pearls plant, here are some tips that can help you.
First, be sure to thoroughly soak the soil every week. Check the soil moisture with a wooden skewer. If the soil is dry, it might be a sign of root rot. If so, make sure to drain the excess water immediately.
Then, repot the plant with fresh, succulent mix. If the root rot issue persists, consult a professional gardener or horticulturist for advice.
Another problem with string of pearls is shriveling leaves. This is caused by either too little watering or overwatering. If the leaves turn yellow, they could fall off. In the latter case, the problem may be caused by the pest infestation.
To avoid these issues, you should check the soil around your plant to see if it is prone to pest infestation. Taking care of your string of pearls plant is crucial to its health. It can grow only if it receives adequate watering.
Pests and diseases can also damage your string of pearls plant. Minor infestations can weaken it, while heavy infestations can kill it. If you’re not careful, you might end up with yellow leaves or white spots.
Infestations of mealybugs or whitefly may also damage your plant. To avoid these problems, keep your string of pearls plant in cacti or succulent soil.
String of Pearls: Yellowing leaves
If you notice yellowing leaves on your string of pearls plant, you should be concerned. This can be caused by overwatering, sunburn, or root rot.
In this case, you should move it to a shady location or place it in an east-facing window. If you suspect the plant is suffering from a fungus, you should remove the affected leaves and repotted the plant in a sunny location.
If you have yellowing leaves on your string of pearls plant, it may need a pot transplant. Replanting your plant in a pot is one solution to this problem. Plant your string of pearls in a larger, deeper pot in the spring. Be sure to add soil around the root ball to about an inch below the lip of the pot.
Also, repotting your plant will keep it from dying from sunburn.
You can also check the moisture of the soil before watering your string of pearls plant. You can do this with a finger, but to be sure, you should check the soil moisture with a moisture meter.
Water your string of pearls a few times a week during active growth, and every three to four weeks during winter. Remember to use a moisture meter or your finger to measure the soil moisture, and make sure the drainage hole is clear.
Watering is another cause of yellowing leaves on a string of pearls plants. The most common mistake is overwatering. If you do not have drainage holes in the pot, water will run off the soil and away from the plant.
Make sure to water the soil as often as necessary, but make sure to leave plenty of space for air to circulate around the plant. If you water your plant too frequently, it may become stressed and wilted.
Over fertilization
Fertilizing your string of pearls plant should be done only once or twice a year, depending on the season.
Fertilizer should be applied to the soil twice a year, once in the spring and once in the summer. However, do not over fertilize, as it can cause bacterial, fungal, and pest growth. Overfertilization can also burn the roots of the string of pearls plant.
To avoid overfertilization, you can try various methods to feed your string of pearls. One of them is to use coffee grounds.
This is easy to do, and will reduce carbon dioxide in the air. It will also improve the soil’s drainage and airflow.
Adding coffee grounds to your soil can also help revive the nutrients and root growth. Another great way to add fertilizer is to use eggshells.
These are an excellent source of potassium and calcium, which are beneficial for the soil and roots of string of pearls.
Overfertilization is another common problem with string of pearls plants. Overfertilizing will damage the roots of the plants, leaving them weak and prone to diseases.
Over-fertilized plants may not survive long if not treated on time. Aside from fertilization, you should look for signs of plant damage. If you see brown leaves and burnt roots, this could mean that the plant has over-fertilized itself.
One way to solve this problem is to keep the plant indoors during summer. Although this plant will grow best outside during the winter, it doesn’t like high temperatures and should be kept indoors during the summer.
Over-fertilization can cause root burn and leggy leaves. However, during the warmer months, you can place it outside and keep it protected from the cold.
What causes sticky leaves in String of Pearls plants?
If your string of pearls plant has sticky leaves, it’s probably due to insects like mealybugs or aphids.
These insects feed on the sap of your plants and secrete a sticky liquid called honeydew. This sticky liquid drips onto the leaves and is a great food source for ants.
If you see the leaves wilting or yellowing, these are signs of pest infestation. Moreover, mealybugs and scales can also leave sticky leaves on your string of pearls plant.
However, before you worry, don’t worry! Sticky leaves on a string of pearls plant don’t mean the plant has a pest problem.
The plant may have been damaged by insects, and its sticky leaves might be caused by pests. You can kill these insects with a spray of pressurized water and soap.
Also, if you suspect your plant has an insect problem, you can also make a homemade pest buster by mixing 2% oil-based insecticidal soap with water. You can also try to wash off the sticky honeydew with soap.
Watering your string of pearls plant is easy if you follow a few simple tips. First, ensure that the soil is adequately moist. When watering, the excess should trickle out the bottom of the pot.
Second, remember to give your string of pearls plant a generous soak.
Water it every two to three weeks during the active growth stage and every three to four weeks in Winter. Your schedule of watering depends on your climate and growing conditions.
Conclusion
While your string of pearls plant may have white mold on its leaves, you can help it grow by avoiding too much moisture.
The best time to water it is when the soil is dry at the bottom of the pot. Third, it should be placed in bright indirect light.
To avoid root rot, you should choose a pot made from succulent or cacti soil. You can purchase soil premixes or fertilizers for indoor plants from Amazon.