How To Propagate String Of Pearls: An Easy Guide
When I first saw a String of Pearls plant, it was love at first sight. Those unique bead-like leaves cascading over the side of a pot had me hooked. Before long, I had one of my own. As my plant grew and the trails got longer, it was time for propagation. In this post, I’ll show you how to propagate String of Pearls, what supplies you’ll need, and the simple steps to follow.
As houseplants, String of Pearls plants tend to produce long trailing stems rather than spread outward. Mine grew quickly outdoors in the year-round warm climate of Santa Barbara, and before I knew it, the trails were over 5 feet long. A few years later, I had four String of Pearls plants, and have since given three away. Share the love!
Since String of Pearls tends to grow lengthwise more than spreading, I usually took cuttings when they started hitting the ground. I now live in Tucson, where my String of Pearls grows indoors in a hanging pot. I’ve found that the stems can dry out where they emerge from the soil in our desert air, especially when the trails get too long. I keep mine around 30 inches, so it’s time for a trim when they grow beyond that.
Botanical Name: Senecio rowleyanus (Curio rowleyanus). Common Names: String Of Pearls, String Of Beads, String Of Peas
How To Propagate String Of Pearls: The Basics
When Do You Propagate a String of Pearls?
The best time to propagate these plants is during the active growing season, in the spring or summer. Early fall is fine too if you’re in a warmer climate. During the winter months, the Sting of Pearl’s growth slows way down, and propagation is slower.
What You’ll Need – Propagation Tools
1) String of Pearls cuttings. Or, individual pearls if you’re not in a hurry.
2) 4″ or 6” pot. I use a grow pot and choose the pot size based on the number of cuttings. If I’m rooting more than 10, I go with a 6″ pot. Make sure the pot has drainage holes so excess water can flow out easily.
3) Succulent and Cactus Mix. I make my own mix – here’s the recipe. If you don’t want to DIY, find one at your local nursery or online. If your mix needs lightening up, add some pumice or perlite to improve drainage and lessen the chance of rot. Don’t use regular potting soil because the delicate String of Pearls stems don’t appreciate sitting in heavy, wet soil.
Quick Tip! Stick with a succulent and cactus mix or a propagation mix when rooting String of Pearls. These light, well-draining mixes help the cuttings root faster, prevent soggy soil, and give the new roots the air they need to grow.
4) Floral Pins. They’re not a must-have, but I find floral pins really helpful, especially with longer String of Pearls cuttings. They keep the thin stems snug in the mix while the roots form. You can reuse them for years, or try bending a piece of wire into a U-shape and use that instead.
5) Chopstick. I find a chopstick handy for making planting holes because those skinny little stems don’t have much “poking power.” I leave it in place to keep the hole open so I can easily slip the delicate cutting into the mix.
6) Fiskars floral snips. These are my go-to cutting tool for delicate jobs like this one. I’ve had them for years and use them a LOT. Pruners or scissors work too. Whatever you use, make sure it’s clean and sharp.
Once you have all your materials together, it’s time to get planting!
Pruning String Of Pearls & Taking Cuttings
First, choose healthy stems. Make sure your cuttings are at least 4″ long and up to 18″ long. Using a clean, sharp pruning tool, make each cut straight across just below a node (the point where the pearls attach to the stem).
As you’ll see in the video below, once you begin pruning and taking cuttings, this plant branches or forks one, two, or even three times where you make a cut. Those new branching stems will eventually be long enough to take more cuttings. Pruning also encourages fuller growth at the top of the plant, which is always a bonus!
When pruning any trailing or hanging plant, I like to stagger the points where I take cuttings by about 1/2 to 2″ instead of making even cuts. I think it gives the plant a much more natural look. Plus, the new branching points won’t all be in the same spot, so you don’t end up with one big blob of new growth.
Prepping the Cuttings
I remove some of the bottom pearls so there’s at least 2″ of bare stem that can sit below the soil surface. The longer the trails, the deeper you want the cuttings to go into the mix. Some people leave the pearls on, but this method has always worked well for me.
Let the cuttings heal over for a day (in a dry climate like where I live), but no longer than three or four days, before planting. Because the leaves and stems of succulents are full of water, it’s best to let them heal or callus over (exposing them to air, just like we do with a wound) before planting.
Which Method of Propagation Works Best?
Stem cuttings in mix. In my experience, this is the best way and the focus of this post.
Stem cuttings in water. I’ve never tried water propagation with this succulent plant or any other succulents for that matter. The stems and leaves are full of water, making them prone to rot.
Layering. This is one of the easiest propagation methods, although I’ve only done it once because my mother plants grew in hanging containers. Place a small pot filled with mix close by to the mother plant and lay a few stems across the soil. Use floral pins or bent wire to hold the stems in place if needed. They’ll root where the stems touch the mix.
Individual pearls. Fill a small pot or plant saucer with succulent and cactus mix. Place the individual pearls on top of the mix with the pointed stem end facing down. New roots and shoots will eventually grow from the base. I tried this once just for kicks and giggles. It works, but you’ll need plenty of patience before you end up with a plant full of long, trailing stems!
Division. I’ve divided many plants, but I wouldn’t try it with String of Pearls. It would be tricky business because the delicate stems snap easily, and the pearls fall off at the drop of a hat. By the time you’re done, you’ll have plenty of stem cuttings to propagate instead!
Dive Deeper: String of Pearls care & growing guide
How to Propagate String of Pearls: Step by Step
1. Gather your prepped cuttings.
2. Fill your pot with the succulent and cactus mixture.
3. Use a chopstick or knife to make holes in the mix and keep them open while you work. Each cutting needs its own hole. I sometimes make one or two slightly larger holes and place two cuttings in them as I work my way around the pot.
4. When planting, make sure you get at least three or four leaf nodes into the dirt.
5. Secure the cuttings with your floral pins. When it comes time to transplant the cuttings into a new pot, don’t forget to save the pins. They are reusable and oh, so handy for your next project.
6. Let the new plantings settle in the dry mix for a couple of days before watering. Then give them a good drink.
Have questions about growing these fun plants? Check out: Answering Your Questions About Growing String Of Pearls
String Of Pearls Cuttings Care
String of Pearls care after propagation is pretty straightforward. Place them in bright light, but out of hot, direct sunlight, they burn in a heartbeat. I keep my cuttings on a table in the guest room about 10′ away from a southeast-facing window.
As for watering, keep the mix lightly moist, but never soaking wet. This is where a light, aerated succulent and cactus mix really helps. At the same time, don’t let it dry out completely. I water when the top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry, depending on how deeply the cuttings are planted.
How often you water will depend on your environment. I live in the Arizona desert where it’s warm, dry, and very sunny. My String of Pearls cuttings usually get watered every 5–7 days. For the first week or two, I use a spray bottle to keep the surface lightly moist.
Dive Deeper: 10 problems you may have growing a String of Pearls plant
How Long Do String Of Pearls Cuttings Take to Root?
New roots usually start developing in about two to three weeks, especially in the warmer months with good light. If you take the cutting out and they haven’t rooted, no worries. Just stick them back in the mix.
I like to leave them be for at least another three weeks so the roots can develop well before transplanting.
When to Transplant Rooted Cuttings
Unlike pothos that are ready to transplant in two or three weeks, these take longer. Because of their shallow root systems, Spring of Pearls cuttings won’t need transplanting for a while, but after five to eight weeks, they should be rooted and ready.
As mentioned, these are delicate plants, so handle them with care when transplanting. Don’t worry if your new plants aren’t trailing much yet—this takes time. Once they settle in, they’ll start to fill out and hang over the edge of the pot.
Propagating String Of Pearls FAQs
Can you propagate String of Pearls cuttings in the same pot with the parent plant?
Yes! As long as the potting mix is loose and well-draining, you can root cuttings right in the same pot. I’ve done this many times to fill in bare spots and make the plant look fuller. Just remember that newly planted cuttings need more frequent watering than an established plant, so keep an eye on the moisture level.
Why are my String of Pearls cuttings shriveling instead of rooting?
The thin stems may not be getting enough moisture, especially while developing roots. Too much hot sun or very dry air can also cause the cuttings to shrivel. Keep them in bright, indirect light and the potting mix lightly moist, but not soggy.
Can I propagate String of Pearls from a single pearl? Can you propagate String of Pearls from a cutting?
Yes on both. Regarding the single pearl propagation method, new growth will eventually emerge from the base of the pearl. Just be prepared to wait, it takes quite a while to grow a plant with long, trailing stems!
The cuttings propagation method is the one I’ve used for years with great success. I root cuttings in a succulent and cactus mix because it drains well and helps prevent rot.
Can you propagate String of Pearls in water instead of soil?
I don’t recommend it. Since the stems are so fine and the plant is a succulent, I feel cuttings in mix is the better option. If you have plenty of cuttings, though, it might be fun to experiment with rooting one in water!
Can I use rooting hormone on String of Pearls cuttings to speed up the process?
Yes, you can, but I don’t think it’s necessary. I never use rooting hormone when propagating String of Pearls (or any other plants), and my cuttings have always rooted well without it.
How To Propagate String Of Pearls Video Guide
Conclusion: Propagating String of Pearls is quick and easy, it only takes a few minutes and a little patience. Watch the video to see exactly how I do it. Stem cuttings are the propagation method that’s always worked best for me, although you can also propagate String of Pearls from individual pearls if you’d like. I’m much too impatient for that.
Before you know it, you’ll have plenty of new plants to keep or share with friends. Once you have one String of Pearls, you’ll have plenty to share with friends and family – or to keep for yourself!
Happy gardening,
- About the Author
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Nell, the founder of Joy Us garden, was born into a gardening family and grew up in Connecticut’s countryside. After living in Boston, New York, San Francisco, & Santa Barbara, she now calls the Arizona desert home. She studied horticulture & garden design, working in the field all her life. Nell is a gardener, designer, blogger, Youtube creator, & author. She’s been gardening for a very long time & wants to share what she’s learned with you.
I have 6 different strings of pearls growing in water. One or two the vases are clear and I can see the beautiful delicate roots thriving! I live in the utmost south of Louisiana and all of mine are grown indoors!
Hi Liz – I didn’t think they’d root in water (I’ve never tried it) so thanks for sharing that. So many people struggle with growing SOPs indoors so you must have the touch! Nell
Hi i have some string of pearls water propagating but i want to move them to dirt so i was wondering if you have nay tips of how to move them safely from water propagation to dirt? Their roots are about 1.5 inches long and have been in the water for a couple of weeks.
Hi Cori – I’ve never done that as I’ve always propagating them in mix. Just make sure it’s very light & well aerated. Now into summer is a good time to try it. Nell
Hi thanks for this! Can you propagate the pearls? Also i have found that my strings of anything grow better when watered from the bottom.. it decreased chance of rot even more!
Hi Rose – Yes, you can propagate the pearls. Just make sure the stem end is in the mix. Thanks for sharing what you’ve experienced with the watering. Nell
You are an absolute joy to watch. Thank you for this great tutorial on String of Pearls propagation! I am going to follow this method and take some cuttings from my friend who has an utter MONSTER String of Pearls plant here in San Diego.
Hi Sammy – Thank you! I go to San Diego every year & succulents sure do thrive there. That monster plant can certainly spare a few cuttings! Nell