When growing string of pearls, consider the light requirements of each type.
A string of pearls should have an appearance of peas growing on a vine, with a lush green color and tiny white or cream flowers.
A string of pearls may also be brush-like, meaning it appreciates ample light.
For best results, a string of pearls should be exposed to 6 hours of light a day.
Bright but filtered light is ideal, as is a temperature range of approximately 45-60°F.
How Much Light Does String of Pearls Need?
Insufficient light can cause a variety of problems for plants, including wet soil and poor plant growth.
String of pearls need at least 6 hours of indirect light daily. Insufficient light can also cause your plant’s leaves to turn brown, causing your plants to look and feel mushy.
To help them grow properly, place them in a sunny window, or place them under fluorescent lights during the day. Make sure that they have adequate room to sprawl.
The best place for your String Of Pearls is near a south-facing window. The window must be at least five to 10 feet away from the Pearls.
Direct sunlight is too harsh for this plant, and the plants will burn.
However, filtered sunlight from a window is enough. If your windows face west, keep the String of Pearls a few feet away. Otherwise, they will be exposed to bright but harsh sunlight for about 6 or 8 hours. If your windows face north, however, you will get the least amount of light.
The String of Pearls like cooler indoor temperatures of fifty to sixty degrees Fahrenheit. However, if the temperature is high, they need more water and shade. If they are left outdoors for too long, they can suffer from cold air and drafts.
In the winter, you should cut back on watering your plant if you want it to have fragrant summer flowers. You can also give it an occasional liquid plant food to promote faster growth.
The Plant of Pearls grows as a trailing plant in hanging pots. It has apple-green foliage but develops a magenta blush when stressed.
The plant’s leaves are spherical in shape, which minimizes the amount of water lost through evaporation. This allows the plant to store a lot of water. You can prune your Plant every now and then to keep its shape.
Fertilizer Requirement for Strings of Pearls
If you’re growing a string of pearls plant, you’ll want to make sure that you know their light requirements and whether or not they need any fertilizers.
The light requirements for this plant are moderate, but they can’t survive in overly dry conditions.
In fact, the water in the soil is not forgiving when it freezes and thaws. Water them only about once every two weeks or so.
For optimal growth, string of pearls plants need to be kept in optimal light, water, and fertilizer.
You can grow a plant that has fuller stems by repotting it every few years. Repotting is also a great time to switch out potting mediums and prune the plants. The best time to repot this plant is when the roots are no longer in the drainage holes of the pot.
When starting a new plant, it’s a good idea to get a healthy cutting of the string of pearls, preferably a three or four inch size. Place the cutting in moist soil and press it down. Water it well when the soil starts to dry up. Then, plant it in a well-drained area.
It should root shortly after. Until the new plant has established itself, it’s best to water only when the soil becomes dry.
Once you’ve transplanted your string of pearls, you’ll need to change their pots. For most varieties, a new pot will be the best solution, but if it is too small or too large, you may need to replott the plants every week or so.
If you’re not sure how to repotted your plants, make sure to follow a few basic steps to get the job done quickly.
For the first time, be sure to put some soil at the bottom of the new pot. This will help the plant to sit even in the new pot. Afterward, gently lift it out of the old pot, taking care to not break the vines.
Temperature range
String of pearls can be easily cared for indoors and outdoors. Care instructions vary depending on the type of plant.
Fortunately, these plants are generally not susceptible to any pests. However, they can be susceptible to some common houseplant pests, such as mealybugs and aphids.
If you notice your string of pearls looking a little less vigorous, you can always start them from a cutting and plant them in a new pot with a fresh potting mix.
This will help you extend their lives. If you notice that your string of pearls is becoming root bound, you should repot it in a new pot with a well-draining potting mix.
The string of pearls plant will tolerate low temperatures, but it is not tolerant of extremes. A temperature range of 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. Too much moisture will result in wilted leaves.
Excess heat will make the leaves turn brown or burst. For optimal growth, try to keep the plant in a slightly shadier area. A window facing east is best for string of pearls.
If your string of pearls plant is experiencing trouble flowering, it’s likely that you have overwatered it.
To make sure your string of pearls plant blooms, keep its temperature between fifty and sixty degrees Fahrenheit.
If you have a window sill, consider putting your string of pearls plant there so that it will get indirect sunlight. If you follow these simple guidelines, your string of pearls plant will grow into a beautiful flower and bloom in springtime.
Temperature range for string of pearls light
Light Requirements for String of Pears in Containers
String of pearls grown in containers prefer a combination of direct and indirect sunlight. They need six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day.
During the morning, they thrive in direct light. In the afternoon, they need a little bit of indirect light and partial shade.
Whether they are in direct or indirect light depends on the type of container they’re in. A good-quality container with drainage holes will help keep them healthy.
The string of pearls is a trailing plant native to southwest Africa. Their leaves are spherical in shape and have a low surface area-to-volume ratio, minimizing the drying forces on leaves and maximizing water storage. For this reason, they are best grown in a hanging container or on a wall.
A hanging basket or other container is an excellent option. Neither the hanging basket nor the container itself should be too large.
As a desert plant, string of pearls are adapted to temperatures between seven and nine degrees Celsius. In winter, they will tolerate temperatures of up to 13 degrees Celsius. In winter, they need temperatures between 15 and 16 degrees.
They grow best in draughty areas. To propagate a string of pearls, use stem cuttings or a hanging basket with several stems.
Be sure not to cut them too close to the parent plant; this will damage the plant.
If the container is too small, it might not be suitable for this succulent. They should be kept indoors, at a slightly lower temperature than outdoors. In winter, they require about six hours of indirect light.
If you can keep the plant in a cool room, you can even leave it in there all winter. This way, they will flower in the spring. However, keep in mind that the plant needs light to flower.
How to Make String of Pearls Grow Fuller (with adequate lighting)
Once you have the right amount of light on the plant, you can trim long stems to make string of pearls grow fuller
In the spring and summer, your String of Pearls will grow more vigorously than normal. You can encourage increased growth by feeding your String of Pearls with a water-soluble fertilizer.
Feed your plants once every two weeks during this time.
Choose a well-balanced fertilizer and dilute it to half strength. Overfertilizing the plant will burn the leaves and stems and can kill it.
If you don’t want to water the plant, you can take stem cuttings. Be sure to trim the long stems. Then, place them in a pot with good drainage and plenty of sunlight. Once the cuttings have rooted, you can transplant them into the desired location.
Make sure to keep the soil moist, but not soggy, as over-watering can result in decay. If you have trouble potting your String of Pearls, try an app called Planta. It will give you personalized care schedules for your new plant.
Final takeaway
Light is essential for most plants, and String of Pearls is no exception.
Adequate light intake can improve the overall health of the plant. Although, to get a fuller-looking String of Pearls, water them sparingly.
Do not water them more than once a week. They are drought tolerant plants and need a good soak every 14 days.
You should also wait for the soil around the roots to dry completely before watering. Don’t overwater your String of Pearls during their summer dormancy, as over-watering can cause the roots to rot.
String of Pearls are not for beginners. Proper care is essential for your plant to thrive and produce a cascade of pearls.
Trim long stems to make them grow fuller. If you prune the plant regularly, you can expect a lush cascade of pearls every season.
Mountain Crest Gardens grows String of Pearls year-round. Some cultivars have cream to pink stripes on their leaves.