Spring/Fall Types

Senecio rowleyanus “String of Pearls”

 

Characteristics of String of Pearls

String of Pearls is a member of the Asteraceae family. Its tubular flowers bloom from fall to winter, and have an unusual shape and way of attaching to the plant. The round leaves and dainty vines stretch in all directions and dangle over the side of the pot, so you can take in the beauty of the String of Pearls as a hanging plant. There are a variety of plants in this genus, so it can be quite interesting to try collecting different varieties. You can find such plants in dry regions of places like Africa, Madagascar, and Mexico.

Points to Check when Buying

Avoid buying during the summer, when the plant is weak. A seedling that looks lifeless and has few leaves is weakened and suffering from root rot.

Soil Composition

Mix 5 parts small-grain Akadama, 3 parts Kanuma soil, and 2 parts mulch for a ratio that has good drainage, water retention, and breathability. Add a layer of gravel like large-grain Akadama or pumice to the bottom of the pot.

Fertilizer

When you transplant a succulent, add a layer of granular base fertilizer on top of the layer of gravel.

How to Transplant

The best time for transplanting is spring or fall. Pull out the plant, then carefully break up and throw away about 2/3 of the old soil in the roots. Pour fresh soil into the pot, and when the plant gets larger, move it to a larger pot.

How to Propagate

In addition to propagating from a leaf cutting, you can also take one of the long vines and insert its stem into fresh soil as a stem cutting. For large plants, you can also propagate through division.

Leaf Cutting

Place the leaf you removed from the succulent stem on the surface of dampened soil, and after about 10 days the leaf will begin to take root and sprout. When your new plant has grown 4 or 5 leaves, pull it from the soil, taking care not to injure the roots, and transplant it.

Stem Cutting

If you let the cut vine creep across the surface of the dampened soil, it will take root after about 10 days, so just leave the plant to grow.

※ When the plant has produced roots, begin watering it normally.

 

Key Points for Growing String of Pearls

String of Pearls is robust and easy to grow, so in the spring or fall you can even admire your plant hanging from a tree or elsewhere outside. Your plant will survive being exposed to rain. String of Pearls plants are weak to hot and humid conditions and will wilt, so if you live in an area with such summers, move your plant to a well-ventilated area in partial shade and be conservative when watering. Keep the soil from staying hot and moist to prevent fungus from growing and causing root rot. String of Pearls is relatively strong against the cold, so if you just water the plant less frequently in winter it can even withstand the damage caused by frost.

Cultivation Calendar

Another name for this plant is “String of Beads.” Its flowers shaped like a painter’s brush are captivating as well.

Flowering String of Pearls

Members of the Senecio Genus

S. haworthii

S. keiniiformis

S. articulatus