Month: June 2021

The world is full of beautiful, marvelous animals and plants with remarkable survival adaptations. Lithops are plants that remind us all about the wonders of nature. This amazing plant camouflages itself to look like colored stones. Because of this, Lithops are known as “living stones.”

The Lithops’ fascinating nature has made it a popular house plant. Thankfully these small, beautiful plants are easy to take care of with a few guiding tips. These beautiful, stone-like plants require only a few things to keep in mind for them to live a long and healthy life. Read on to learn more on how to grow and take care of Lithops. 

Growing and Caring Tips for Lithops

Once you have your Lithops settled in your home, you will want to ensure they live long and healthy lives. Since Lithops live natively in areas outside of southern Africa, proper care instructions are different from other native plants. 

Below are the necessary steps for providing Lithops with the care they need to thrive:

• Choosing the correct container material
• Choosing the correct container size
• Making the appropriate soil mix
• Watering sufficiently
• Providing enough sunlight
• Monitoring temperature 
• Minimizing fertilizer 
• Trying specific composting
• Checking the soil’s pH levels before planting 

Learning proper care is important, and following the guidelines below will help your Lithops live strong, healthy lives. 

Choose the Correct Container and Size

Determining your container is the first step to properly taking care of your Lithops. The container should be large enough for the plant to grow and live in for its entire life.

• A container at least 10% larger than the plant will give them plenty of room. 
• A pot too large or deep will run the risk of retaining too much water. Lithops require very dry conditions, so this could destroy your plant.
• Too much space will make the succulent appear awkward for its big surroundings. 

If you are making an arrangement of succulents, make sure all of the plants in the arrangement come from a similar climate. Also, give them plenty of room to grow and live together. Transition the plants quickly from their holding trays or temporary homes to the one container as quickly and carefully as possible. 

Determine the Correct Pot for Your Lithops

Picking the correct type of pot for your Lithops to live in can help ensure a healthy and long life for your plant. The material the pot is made of should mimic the environment the Lithops is native to, which is well-drained and breathable. 

When choosing a pot, the most important thing is the drainage hole. The pot must have a way to move water out of the pot to keep the soil from becoming overly wet, which can quickly rot and kill your Lithops. If you fall in love with a particular pot that does not have a drainage hole, look into making your own drainage hole. 

The best pot materials for Lithops are below.

• Ceramic
• Terracotta 

Ceramic or terracotta pots are great options for your Lithops because they are breathable and drain well. A variety of ceramic pots, glazed or unglazed, are readily available at most gardening stores. 

Ceramic pots absorb sunlight to warm the plants during the day and cool off well at night. However, ceramic pots can absorb so much heat from sunlight that they can burn plants. Be sure to keep an eye on how much sun your Lithops are getting so it does not overheat. 

Pot Materials to Avoid

Below are some pot materials that will not work very well for Lithops.

• Metal: Metal can rust over time, which can hurt the plant’s health.
• Wood: Wood containers are unique and stay cool at night and warm during the day, but can also retain water, so be aware of wet soil or rotting. 
• Glas: Glass is a beautiful option to display Lithops, but glass pots are breakable and lack drainage. Glass is also not breathable. 
• Certain plastic pots

Plastic can be a good option since it is lightweight and durable if you choose your pot carefully. Plastic is not as breathable as ceramic or terracotta, but if you have a drainage hole, it should allow water to properly work its way through the soil. 

Choose the Correct Soil Mix

As discussed earlier, Lithops need an easily drainable environment to thrive. Lithops are native to soil conditions that are hot, dry, and airy, so the best way to take care of your Lithops is to prepare soil that mimics these conditions. 

Lithops like rocky, sandy soil, typical of southern Africa. Pre-mixed succulent soil products mixed with small pebbles are the easiest way to get started. These are available at most local nurseries, especially if you live in hotter, drier climates, where succulents grow well outside. Some pre-mixed succulent potting soil, also good for Lithops include: 

• Superfly Bonsai Succulent Mix
• Hoffman Organic Cactus Succulent Soil
• Succulent Cult Soil Mix

You can also make your own soil. To make good potting soil for Lithops, mix together standard potting soil with a ground-up rocky material such as ground or fine sand, shale, pebbles, ceramic, or grit. Perlite is also a good choice. 

Lithops grow in soil that is not nutritious, so avoid soils with an abundance of added nutrients, fertilizer, or even organic materials. These types of soils can be loaded with nutritional components and take longer to dry out. Honestly, Lithops do not need a lot of soil for healthy living since Lithops grow in rocky areas with little nutrient soil. 

Water Lithops Appropriately

Two critical factors in caring for Lithops are fast-draining soil and good air movement. Soil should not dry out completely, especially for more than three days. Doing so can cause the root hairs to die off, and the plant will not be able to take in any more water. 

Water intake for Lithops varies by the season. The overall watering conventions by season are as follows:

• Make sure your Lithop is watered sparingly. Do not over water, or keep the soil bone dry.  
• Water more often in the spring and fall.
• Water sparingly in summer and winter.

In the winter, it is okay to cut back watering, as the Lithop will drink moisture from the old leaves. During the winter, to keep root hairs alive, water less often. If you bring your Lithops in for the winter to live under indoor lights, taper down your watering and monitor the drainage. 

In springtime, increase watering for new leaves to take over while the old leaves begin to dry out. Growing will stop during the hotter months of summer, and you can taper off watering, but remember not to let the soil dry out. Pick up watering again in late summer or fall. 

Ensure the Correct Amount of Sunlight 

Lithops require full sunlight. When Lithops get at least five or more hours of direct sunlight, the colors of the plant begin to really show off. 

However, this does not mean that Lithops need direct heat. Excessive heat will burn your Lithops plant, so monitor the temperature and move the Lithops inside if the temperature is too hot for too long. 

If you are displaying your Lithops inside, or if you live in an area with less daylight, there are ways you can compensate for giving your plants the sunlight they need

• Rotate the plant regularly, so the entire plant receives sunlight. This will help the plant not strain for sunlight and help develop its stunning colors all around the plant.
• Provide the plant with artificial light to make up for the lack of natural sunlight. 

Because Lithops are native to a warm, dry climate, this direct sunlight is necessary for the plants to survive and thrive. 

Provide the Right Temperature

Lithops love warm, dry weather. You can leave Lithop plants outside throughout the year if you live in an area where the temperature does not drop lower than 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. 

• These plants thrive in warmer temperatures but not overly hot areas. Too much heat can burn and kill the plant.
• Carefully monitor the outside temperature, and move your Lithops to the shade if the temperature reaches over 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Also, consider monitoring your Lithops more if you live in an area that experiences quick changes in temperatures.

Many areas can receive snow in late spring or a spike in heat in the middle of winter. If you live in these types of climates, closely monitor the plants and change their living areas to keep up with the climate. 

Do Not Use Conventional Fertilizer

The nutrients found in most fertilizers are not suitable for Lithops since their native soils contain little nutrients. Most potting soils already contain some type of organic materials, so if you use regular potting soil, be sure to mix in more permeable components. These can include:

• Pumice
• Sand
• Grit

If you feel like you need or want to add fertilizer for extra care, you may consider a milder conditioner such as manure tea. Manure tea is an organic fertilizer composed of livestock manure. The manure is cured to remove potentially harmful pathogens and then placed in teabags. 

Manure tea is like drinking tea for plants. The tea is steeped in water for a few days and used as your watering solution for the Lithops. 

Use Compost Materials Sparingly

If you are planting Lithop seeds, it is okay to add compost to the top layer of soil. Just be sure to keep in mind that compost is not necessary for healthy Lithop growth.

• Top the soil with rocks to simulate the Lithop native living conditions. The compost nutrients will eventually seep through the pot to feed your Lithop plant. 
• Compost should not hurt the plant in small amounts, but large amounts of compost could provide too many nutrients and keep the soil from drying.

As with fertilizer, there are ways to utilize compost. You have to be sure you are using this resource in a way that your Lithops will still thrive.

Maintain Proper pH Levels

Most gardeners test the pH level of the soil and see this as an important step before planting. The level of pH indicates the acidity level of the soil. A pH level of 7 is a neutral level, and most plants do well in a range between 5 and ½ to 7. Most succulents, including Lithops, prefer a more acidic soil around a pH level of 6. 

If you want to test the pH level of your potting soil before planting, you can purchase test strips at your local nursery. If the soil needs more acidity, add a water solution made of one tablespoon of white vinegar to every five gallons of water. A high level of alkaline is not healthy for your Lithop, so it is helpful to know the pH level of your soil. 

There are different kinds of pH testers to choose from:

• Electronic meters
• pH test strips
• Chemical colored dyes that can help you monitor the pH level after it rains if your Lithops plant lives outside.

Rainfall or fertilizers in the potting mix can increase soil acidity, so you will want to check your soil’s pH periodically to ensure it is in the safe zone for your Lithops.

Lithops Are Not High Maintenance

Besides monitoring the soil moisture, if a Lithop is doing well in its living conditions, you can, for the most part, leave it alone. Required maintenance is low and includes the following tasks. 

• Routinely checking the Lithops soil for the appropriate moisture level
• Periodically checking pH
• Rotating the plant for sufficient sunlight 

You will notice the shedding and growing of their new leaves seasonally. This is the plant’s natural process. Pruning is not needed. To make the Lithop plant look better, you can gently remove the thin shedding layer of the dead leaf. Waiting until this part falls off naturally works well too.

Most Lithops varieties are not prone to disease since they grow in dry sandy soil that does not invite fungus development. Lithops are vulnerable to damage or rotting if they are overwatered. Monitoring the soil’s moisture level and making sure the plant is well-drained is key to keeping them disease-free. 

Special Instructions for Lithops Living Outside

If you live in a warm, dry climate and decide it is suitable for Lithops to live outside, monitor the plant’s temperature, sunlight, and rain levels. 

• A Lithops plant should not be left in temperatures cooler than 40 degrees or hotter than 90 degrees Fahrenheit for long periods of time. 
• Your plant should receive steady sunlight each day. When the days shorten, the minimum sun exposure should be four to five hours. Rotate the plant regularly for even sun exposure if needed. 
• Monitor the rain levels. Too much rain can easily leave a Lithop to rot or change the acidity level of the soil. 

Even though warm, dry climates mimic the Lithops natural environment, the plant still requires monitoring.

Tips for Caring for Lithops Indoors

Lithops that live indoors are easy to maintain. All you need to remember is to keep your plant watered regularly, ensure the plant is well-drained, and your plant receives plenty of sunlight exposure. Ignoring the Lithops occasionally may be okay for a short time, but you will want to check in on your plant from time to time. 

• Keep your Lithop watered in small amounts regularly, but do not over-water the plant. Soil should be well-drained but not overly dry. 
• Rotate your Lithop plant regularly if it does not receive sun exposure equally over the plant.
• Lithops are not poisonous, so even though pets and children will probably not find the plant attractive to eat, it will be okay if an accident occurs. 

Just like with outdoor Lithops, your indoor Lithops will need direct sunlight, so be sure to keep indoor Lithops in a window that receives plenty of sun.

Steps to Take If Your Lithop Is Not Looking Well

If signals appear that your Lithops is not feeling well, more than likely, it has been overwatered. Retaining too much water is the number one reason a Lithop does not survive. Too much water causes the Lithop to rot quickly. If you move the plant, carefully remove the plant and soil and quickly transition it to a new pot.  

It is normal each year for the Lithop leaves to die and make room for new leaf growth. Lithops are typically weak plants with frail roots. If you move your sick Lithop to a new pot, make sure to do it quickly and with care. 

Lithops are generally considered weak plants, but with the right conditions and correct care, they can live long and healthy lives. Some other common issues with Lithops include:

• Wrinkling of the leaves, which indicates they need more water. Watering the plant will quickly fix this problem. 
• If you notice your Lithops is twisting upwards instead of lying flat, it probably indicates the plant is struggling for sunlight. Simply move the plant to an area that receives more sunlight. 
• If there is an accident that causes scrapes to the leaves, the scrape scars can not be removed. The Lithops will eventually grow new leaves during its growing season to replace the scarred leaves.  

If you have several types of succulents in one pot, it is possible that one of the plants gets sick, but the others are healthy. Here, you will need to carefully separate them. Sometimes, the plants’ roots get entangled. If this happens, it is very difficult and dangerous for your plant to untangle them. You may be stuck with a dying arrangement. 

Protect Lithops from Insects and Pests

Thankfully, Lithops are not very attractive to most insects and pests because they do not offer a lot of nutrition. The most common insect that bothers Lithops is the spider mite. 

Spider mites tend to live inside the middle section between the leaves or hide behind old leaves. Spider mites leave white spots on the plant’s surface. An all-natural pesticide, if applied in a small mist, usually fixes the issue. 

Another good characteristic of Lithops is that they provide little nutritional value for most insects, so they generally will not be looking to attack your Lithops. If they become infested, here is a list of the other common pests that may be causing you issues. 

• Thrips: These pests leave dark scars on new leaves. A mild insecticidal soap should kill most thrips. 
• Scale insects/Mealybugs: Remove these by scraping them off the leaves with a gentle hand tool.
• Aphids: Insecticidal soap should remove aphids. 

• Snails and slugs: Attract snails and slugs away from Lithops with snail bait or other moving, more appealing plants close by.
• Root-knot nematodes: These pests are microscopic and live near the plant’s roots. As long as your soil is mainly dry and drained well, these pests should not last. 
• Mice: The leaves of the Lithops sometimes attract mice. To keep mice from eating the leaves, you can lightly cover the Lithops with breathable mesh or metal caging or use mouse traps. 

Infestations are rare and usually do not last long. When they do occur, they can be easily handled with natural pesticides, insecticides, and traps.

Divide Lithops to Grow More

You can divide your Lithops to grow more. However, you will need to wait a few years until you have grown clusters.

• Once you have clusters, delicately remove the Lithops from the pot and cut through the roots.
• Each division should have a root you can reliably replant.
• Plant each in its own pot, leaving room for the root to take hold. 

If you decide to replant your Lithops to grow clusters, or you just need a larger space, remove and replant the Lithops quickly and carefully. Go back and follow the initial steps, such as choosing the right container and size. 

Once planted, place rocks and gravel on the soil surface to mimic the plant’s native living conditions. If you choose to divide Lithops, it is a good idea to keep replanting to no more than once every three to four years. 

Prepare for Lithops to Live Long Lives

Even though Lithops are generally weak plants, they can live up to 40 or 50 years. If their living conditions are set correctly, and they are tended to frequently, Lithops should live long lives.

Several years after planting, Lithops begin to create two pairs of leaves, which then develop into clusters. These clusters can be cut to plant new Lithops, as stated above.

Lithops Blooming Patterns

Most Lithops bloom in late fall or early winter, but some varieties bloom in spring or early summer. 

• In a Lithops older than three years, you will typically see one flower that looks like a daisy growing from the inside of the two.
• When this happens, watch the flower bloom in the morning for sunlight and pollination, and close up at night. 

Lithops go dormant in the winter and summer. The leaves begin to die, and new leaves form. You will know the plant is growing again when the new leaves begin to appear from the middle section between the old leaves.  

After the new leaves emerge, the old leaves begin to die and wither. Once the leaves are very thin, they will fall off, or you can carefully remove them to keep them looking fresh and beautiful. 

Choose from Many Common Lithop Varieties

If you live in a warmer climate, local nurseries should have plenty of Lithops plants for you to purchase. If you live in cooler areas where product selection is slim, there are plenty of online websites that sell and ship Lithops. 

Though the Lithop is only a recently popular plant, there are still over 37 species of Lithops and about 145 varieties to choose from. It is not helpful to list in detail all of the varieties, but below are several types usually found at local nurseries:

• Lithops aucampiae
• Lithops dorotheae
• Lithops hookeri
• Lithops karasmontana, “Karas Mountains Living Stone”
• Lithops lesliei, “Lesliei Living Stone”
• Lithops ruschiorum
• Lithops viridis, “Green-Rock Plant”

Unfortunately, there are reports of fake Lithop seeds sold online. The product pictures have vividly colored Lithop plants, indicating they are enhanced photos. Be sure to check for reliable sellers with positive reviews who are available by phone to talk through the specific conditions and colors of the plants and seeds you intend to purchase. 

Plant Seeds or Buy Fully-Grown Lithops

If you want a quick home décor option, young, already growing Lithops are available and will immediately give you a stunning live plant for your home. If you are up for creating your own arrangement, seeds take longer to grow, but you will have the satisfaction of seeing them grow from the ground up. 

• The best time to plant is in fall or spring.
• Your seeds will need sunlight, water, and time to grow.
• It takes around twelve to eighteen months for seeds to germinate.
• Be careful when opening the seed packets because the seeds are very small and look like dust.

If plants are more your style, the main things you need to consider when purchasing Lithops are the dimensions of the arrangement you are interested in and your personal preference on appearance. Talk to the nursery staff about the specific condition of the particular plant before you buy it. 

If you choose to buy Lithops online, most websites will show the particular plant or arrangement, so you know the general appearance before purchasing. Contact the seller directly to learn more about how old the plants are, their specific condition, and shipping time and conditions. Make sure you are purchasing from a reputable seller. 

As people look to add more green into their lives, succulents and cacti are often a popular choice. These low maintenance plants are the perfect choice for beginners and experts alike. The string of pearls plant is a succulent that’s getting increasing attention due to its striking appearance and easy care requirements.

The string of pearls plant is fairly easy to care for. Its basic requirements include needing at least six hours of sun, water once per week, and the correct soil mixture to encourage drainage. Other requirements include a warm environment, mid-level humidity, and a hanging container.

It’s also a common choice because it can be housed indoors or outdoors, is easily propagated, and doesn’t have may pest problems. Let’s go over all of the information you’ll need to know before growing your own string of pearls.

String of Pearls Plant: Basic Care

The string of pearls plant (Curio rowleyanus, formerly Senecio rowleyanus) is one of the easier succulents to care for. Here’s a basic rundown of the care requirements:

Sunlight	At least six hours; avoid direct sunlight/ full exposure
Temperature	72 degrees Fahrenheit/ ~22 degrees Celsius
Water	Soak thoroughly once per week; let dry completely between waterings
Humidity	Preferably around 40% – 50%
Soil	Succulent-specific potting mix; must include sand, pumice, or perlite
Container	Any type, hanging preferred; drainage strongly recommended

When properly taken care of, your string of pearls should look like small peas attached to trailing vines. It should be a lush green color and, during the summer, bloom small, white or cream flowers that may be brush-like in appearance.

Below, we’ll go into more detail about each requirement and what you’ll need to do to care for your plant.

Sunlight and Temperature Requirements

Like most succulents and cacti, the string of pearls appreciates ample light. For optimum growth, you’ll need to ensure your plant receives at least six full hours of light.

Keep in mind, the string of pearls prefers partial shade or indirect light. You can acclimate your plant to full exposure or direct sun, but doing so prematurely can scorch its stems and leaves.

This means that you can’t keep it inside for most of the year and just sit it out on your porch when it’s warm. If you want to transition it outside during the spring and summer, start by placing it in a shaded area and gradually expose it to direct light.

If you’re worried that your string of pearls isn’t getting enough light, considering supplementing it with an artificial grow light. These are available online and in some retail stores and nurseries. Alternatively, you can just buy plant grow bulbs and screw them into a lamp you already have around the house.

Full spectrum LED lights are preferable, since these last longer and will not put off heat that could potentially harm a person or plant. Some models also offer automatic timers and Red-Green-Blue color level adjustments so that you can better control your plant’s growth.

You can also invest in a fluorescent light. But while these may be more powerful and effective initially (depending on the wattage), they’ll grow weaker over time and will need to be replaced more often than LEDs.

Depending on your needs, there is a wide variety of lights and bulbs available in varying wattage levels and sizes. There are also lights and bulbs for every budget, whether you’re looking to spend under $20 or want to shell out for a more professional setup.

Proper Temperature Requirements for String of Pearls

Besides the light itself, you’ll also need to keep an eye on the temperature. String of pearls prefers warm climates that are at least 72 degrees Fahrenheit (roughly 22 degrees Celsius).

This isn’t a problem indoors during the colder months (when you have the heat on) or outdoors during the warmer months (depending on the climate where you live). But when you have the A/C blasting inside or the temperatures start dipping outdoors, your succulent can suffer.

Make sure you’re housing your string of pearls in a mild, warmer area that won’t be affected by sudden or often temperature changes. Add a heating element near your plant, if necessary. 

Alternatively, if you can control the temperature of one room or area outside (such as a greenhouse), keep it around 70 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.

If you house your plant inside, avoid placing it in drafty areas where it may be inadvertently affected by cool air.

Watering and Humidity Requirements

While succulents are renown for needing almost no water, the string of pearls plant takes this one step farther. Its round leaves (i.e., its ‘pearls’) reduce exposure to sun and result in slower evaporation, making it particularly drought tolerant even for a succulent.

As a result, you should be careful not to overwater this plant. If you give it too much water at once or water it too often, it won’t be able to thrive. Similarly, not providing drainage and forcing the roots to sit in waterlogged soil for extended periods of time will cause it to die.

The best initial schedule is to thoroughly soak your string of pearls once per week. Wait until you see water coming from the drainage holes or, if your container has no drainage, water it until the first two inches of soil are soaked.

Then, before you water it one week later, check to see if the topsoil is dry. If it’s still damp, wait another week; if it’s completely dry, water it again according to the same method.

This will help you gauge how often you need to water your plant and how much water to give it each time.

Despite their arid origins, string of pearls also appreciate humidity. Typically, the average humidity in a home is fine. But if you have a dehumidifier in your home or live in a dry region, try to keep at least 40% humidity levels around your succulent.

You can increase humidity levels by placing a dish of water near the plant, grouping plants and succulents together, and misting around the plant (but not directly on or near the roots).

Soil, Potting, and Fertilization Requirements

String of pearl plants have fairly straightforward requirements when it comes to soil, potting, and fertilization. Though you have some wiggle room, here are the ideal conditions for your succulent:

• Soil – A succulent-specific mix with regular potting mix and sand, pumice, or perlite
• Potting – A hanging container with ample drainage; fill completely with soil
• Fertilization – Light feedings during spring and summer

String pearl plants and succulents need soil that promotes aeration and drainage. This means that regular potting soil (and soil from your backyard) are a no-go.

Look for cactus and succulent-specific potting soil. This will have sand, pumice, or perlite mixed in. Alternatively, you can buy regular potting soil and manually mix at least one of these ingredients in.

When it comes to potting, containers with drainage are always preferable. Succulents need water, but they don’t like sitting in soaking wet soil. Without drainage, the excess water can’t escape and may cause root rot or mold.

Any pot with a drainage hole will work, but terra cotta pots are particularly great for beginners.

To prevent soil from washing away, you can add a layer of mesh between the drainage holes and the potting mix.

If you don’t have a container with drainage, be sure to watch how much you water your string of pearl plant. Test the top two inches of the soil to make sure they’re dry before watering again.

A common misconception is that you can add a layer of rocks or pebbles to the bottom of your container to trap excess water. This isn’t true; the soil will hold the water and continue to waterlog the roots instead of draining into the rock layer.

Instead of adding rocks, mix activated charcoal into the bottom inch of your potting soil. This will absorb any overflow.

It’s also better if your container offers the string of pearls room to grow. The nature of this plant means that vertical space is more important than shelf space or horizontal room. Hanging containers are a great way to make sure your string of pearls is able to stretch and trail comfortably.

Generally, succulents don’t need much fertilizer, and string pearl plants aren’t an exception. But to encourage growth, you can lightly fertilize during the spring and summer seasons.

Be careful not to overfertilize. Besides attracting pests like mealybugs, this can cause your succulent to grow too fast and become weak.

Outdoor vs. Indoor: Which Is Best for String of Pearls?

String of pearl plants can be kept indoors or outdoors. It’s native to southwest Africa and so can obviously grow outside, but has also been kept with great success as a houseplant. It can therefore be kept inside or outside (or a mixture of both).

However, there are advantages and disadvantages to both settings. These mainly revolve around the succulent’s care requirements, such as the light, temperature, and watering schedule.

Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons of keeping string of pearls inside versus outside:

	Indoor Spaces	Outdoor Spaces
Pros	Temperature controlled Can track waterings Easier to protect from pests	Easier to meet light requirements Easier to meet temperature/ heat requirements (dependent on climate) Benefit from pollinators
Cons	Harder to meet light requirements Harder to meet temperature/ heat requirements (dependent on climate) Reduced chance for pollination	Subject to weather conditions Potential for overwatering due to rain Harder to protect from pests

Your home is a controlled space; you can control how much light your string of pearls receives, the temperature of the room it’s housed in, and how often and how much water it receives. Even if you don’t have many windows or don’t receive much natural sunlight, you can buy artificial lights help your plant thrive.

But many succulents appreciate the natural light and warm temperatures of the outdoors, though it can be harder to control how much water they get unless the plants are housed in a covered area. These ideal conditions, coupled with the presence of pollinators, also mean your string of pearls is more likely to bloom. 

Here are some other considerations to keep in mind when deciding whether to keep your string of pearls inside or outside:

• Sun Exposure – Do you have a space where the plant will receive indirect sun or partial shade for at least six hours?
• Room To Grow – Do you have a space where the plant’s stems will have room to grow and trail?
• Protection – Do you have a space where the plant will be protected, such as from pets, children, wildlife, inclement weather, etc.?
• Cold Weather – Do you have a space where the plant will be safe from cold temperatures, such as from winter weather or strong A/C flow?

You don’t necessarily have to have a yard to keep your succulents outside; a balcony, patio, and wide window ledge are just three examples of other options that still provide you with outside access.

But the deciding factor should always be what works best for you. If you don’t have access to an outdoor space, then keeping your succulent inside is the better option. Conversely, if you don’t get much light inside but have a nice outdoor space, then keeping your succulent outside is preferable.

Whether you keep your string of pearls indoors or out, remember to keep it out of reach of children and pets. When consumed, this succulent can be toxic— it’s better to be safe than sorry, so hanging planters or containers are strongly recommended.

How To Propagate String Of Pearls

String of pearls naturally grow one of two ways: vertically and horizontally. Vertically, you’ll see growth as the stems of your succulent grow and create longer trails.

But string of pearls is naturally a creeper, which is how it grows horizontally as well. Its stems spread across the ground and send out shoots, which create ground cover and a more expansive root system. Once established, these shoots create their own stems and tendrils, which produce more leaves and shoots, and so on and so forth.

If you provide a wide enough container or plant your succulent directly in the ground, you may see this natural growth when the string of pearls is established enough.

But if you want to directly propagate it yourself, there’s a different method:

• Cut – Cut off roughly two inches from one of the trailing stems. The stem should be green and have no visible damage (such as withered or brown areas). Cut between the leaves (‘pearls’).
• Plant – Plant in a container with good drainage filled with a succulent-specific potting mix. Insert part of the cutting into the soil (after removing the leaves) or coil the cutting and lay it on top of the soil, pressing it gently to establish contact.
• Water – Moisten the soil during the initial planting and mist it every 3 – 4 days after that. Monitor the ends of the cutting to make sure you’re not underwatering (which will cause shriveling) or overwatering (which will cause brown spots and rot).
• Rest – It can take weeks or even months for a cutting to take root and start growing in earnest. During this time, keep your cutting in a bright, warm place. Make sure it doesn’t receive too much direct light.  

Only propagate during spring or summer when your string of pearls is strong and healthy and make sure your tool is sharp— using a dull instrument can damage both the cutting and the parent plant.

Before your string of pearls will spread naturally or thrive enough for you to manually propagate it, it will first need to become established.

Following the care requirements laid out in this article is a great start. The right soil and container will provide a strong foundation for growth, while receiving the correct amount of sun and water (and fertilizer during the warm months) will encourage growth.

You can also help your succulent grow through regular pruning. Though this may seem contradictory (cutting parts off seems like the opposite of growth), pruning actually creates a healthier plant. It prevents the string of pearls from diverting resources, such as water, to areas that are already dying off.

Take a pair of sharp scissors or shears and trim dying pieces. Stems and leaves that are brown, shriveled, or simply not growing should all be removed promptly.

Common Care Issues with String of Pearls Plants

If your string of pearl plant isn’t doing so well, don’t be discouraged! Many people find that succulents are pickier in terms of care than they originally thought. But with a few simple fixes, your string plant will bounce back in no time.

Here are some common care issues that owners should look out for if they have a string of pearls plant: 

• Gnats and Pests – These are more common for indoor plants, but can affect all succulents. To get rid of these, treat with an anti-pest spray or 70% isopropyl alcohol solution. Going forward, make sure not to overwater or overfertilize.
• Container Size – A container that’s too large will hold water and cause the succulent’s roots to rot. Because string of pearls have narrow, delicate stems, they are especially prone to this issue.
• Planting Depth – String of pearls have shallow root systems that spread out rather than down. Planting your succulent more than an inch into the soil will prevent aeration and cause it to hold too much water (which causes fungal growth and rot, respectively).
• Overwatering – This plant stores water in its leaves (‘pearls’) instead of stems. So if you overwater it, the pearls will literally swell and burst. If they have a shriveled and mushy appearance, cut back on the water.

If you’re lucky, you’ll never have any of these issues. But if one does appear, it’s nothing to worry about. You can easily solve the issue by trying out the solutions above.

General Care Tips for Succulents and Cacti

For the most part, succulents and cacti are some of the easiest plants to keep (that’s what makes them so popular, after all). But like any other living thing, they do have some basic care requirements that need to be met.

If you’re still struggling with your string of pearls plant, here are some tips and tricks that might help you revive it:

• Provide Plenty of Light… – It might seem like a no brainer, but succulents need lots of light. And even when we think they’re getting that, they might not be. String of pearls need at least six full hours of sunlight.
• …But Not Too Much Light – Even though your string of pearls needs light, be careful about the type of light you provide. Directly sunlight or full sun exposure can scorch them and be more harmful than helpful. May sure to provide at least partial shade.
• Rotate At Least Weekly – You should also rotate your plant at least once per week to make sure it’s getting even light all around. If your string of pearls is only growing on one side, that’s a sign it’s not getting enough sunlight.
• Adjust Water Per Season – Adjust how often and how much you water your plant according to the season. Water more during the spring and summer, but less during the fall and winter. And, of course, wait for the soil to dry between waterings.
• Adjust Water For Pots – If your string of pearls is potted in a container with drainage, soak the soil until you see water emerge. But if there’s no drainage, water the soil less. Don’t ever mist your plant instead of watering; this causes weak roots and mold.
• Clean Leaves and Stems – Plants housed indoors will inevitably gather dust, just like plants outside may pick up pollen. Make sure to regularly and gently clean your string of pearls with a damp cloth or soft-bristle brush, such as a makeup brush or paintbrush.

Just like air plants, succulents are often misrepresented as needing next to no care— a sort of ‘buy them and forget about them’ type of plant. But in reality, they have some basic requirements that will need to be met before they can really thrive.

Varieties of String Succulents

Though string of pearl plants are one of the most popular string succulents, they’re by no means the only variety available. String plants share the same basic features, but can vary in appearance and care requirements depending on which type you have.

If your string of pearl plant doesn’t look like what we’ve described, check out these other varieties to see if you have a different string succulent. Alternatively, keep reading if you’re interested in other string varieties in addition to your string of pearls.

Here are five other popular string succulents:

• String of Buttons/ Necklace Vine (Crassula perforata) – This string plant grows vertically and features triangular, grey-green leaves with red edging. During the spring, it blooms star-shaped white or pale yellow flowers.
• String of Bananas/ String of Fishhooks (Curio radicans) – Like the string of pearls, this plant grows vines. But instead of peas, it features glossy, banana-shaped leaves. During late winter or early spring, it blooms white flowers that smell like cinnamon.
• String of Hearts/ Rosary Vine (Ceropegia linearis/ woodii) – The trailing stems of this plant feature small, heart-shaped leaves that are either dark green or light green/ grey, depending on how much light it gets. Flowers appear in late summer or early fall.
• String of Tears (Curio citriformis) – This slow-growing succulent features trailing but erect stems with tear-drop shaped leaves. Leaves are green with transparent stripes and flowers are a cream or yellow color that appear in late summer or winter.
• String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata) – Also slow-growing, this plant has hanging stems with delicate, rounded leaves. Leaves are dark green or purple with white veining, resembling that of a turtle shell. Flowers are small and cream-colored.

These string succulents are all beautiful statements plants that are comparatively easy to grow and propagate. Whether you’re building a vertical garden or designing a hanging display, any one (or more) of these varieties would made a wonderful choice.

String of buttons, string of bananas, and string of hearts are all hardy and make great choices for any beginners or recovering black thumbs.

Growing A Healthy (And Happy) String of Pearls Plant

As succulents and cacti grow more popular for both beginner gardeners and advanced growers alike, the string of pearls plant has received an increasing amount of attention— and for good reason.

String of pearls are hardy, easy to grow, and aesthetically striking. As long as they receive roughly six hours of light per day and are watered once per week (or as needed), they’ll thrive. 

Planting them in the correct container, keeping them in a warm place, and maintaining humidity levels will also ensure your succulent thrives. They’re also versatile in terms of where you can keep them and aren’t prone to pest issues.

Whether you’re looking to gift a burgeoning gardener with a new plant or want to add some green to your own living space, the string of pearls plant is a succulent that fits in every home.