String of Pearls Plant Care Guide

Your complete guide to nurturing a thriving String of Pearls

Your Plant's Story

This beautiful String of Pearls started its journey as a cutting from one of our thriving mother plants in our greenhouse. Each plant carries the strong genetics and resilient energy of its parent, carefully propagated and nurtured until ready for its new home.

The Magic: This trailing succulent creates cascading strands of perfect little "pearls" that look like nature's own jewelry box spilling over your shelves!

From African deserts to your space: Your String of Pearls' ancestors evolved in the dry, rocky regions of Southwest Africa, developing their unique bead-shaped leaves to store precious water in harsh desert conditions.

Hand-selected for you: Every Dirt Witch String of Pearls is chosen for its plump, healthy pearls, strong trailing growth, and that special succulent energy that makes them thrive as stunning hanging plants.

At a glance

Pet Safe

Keep away from curious pets and little ones - this succulent should be admired from a safe distance

Bright Indirect Light

Loves bright light to keep those pearls plump and full - think sunny windowsill vibes

Beginner-Intermediate

Perfect for plant parents ready to learn succulent care with a stunning trailing reward

Plant Overview

Essential Care

Light

Perfect placement: Bright, indirect light - think of that sweet spot where you'd want to read a book with natural light, getting 6-8 hours of bright light daily

Best spot: Place where there's direct sunlight in the morning and indirect light in the afternoon - east-facing windows are ideal

Avoid: Direct harsh afternoon sun (will actually scorch those delicate pearls), or rooms that stay consistently dim

Too little light signs: Pearls become elongated and strands get thin and sparse - your plant is stretching desperately for more energy

Too much light signs: Pearls start to shrivel, get brown spots, or look bleached - your succulent is getting overwhelmed by intensity

Watering

Finding the rhythm: Your String of Pearls will teach you patience - water only when soil is completely dry, typically once every 7-14 days

Spring/Summer: Every 7-10 days when soil is bone dry (check by sticking your finger 1-2 inches into soil)

Fall/Winter: Every 2-3 weeks or even less frequently - your plant naturally slows down and needs much less water

Pro tip: Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom, then wait for complete dryness before watering again - succulents appreciate this feast-or-famine approach

Signs it needs water: Pearls start to look slightly wrinkled, deflated, or less plump - nature's own thirst indicator

Signs of overwatering: Mushy, transparent, or easily falling pearls; soggy soil that doesn't dry out - your plant is drowning in too much love

Humidity

Desert vibes: 30-40% humidity - this succulent actually prefers drier air, just like its African homeland

Perfect environment: Normal household humidity is ideal - no need for extra moisture here

Avoid: High humidity environments, misting (can cause fungal problems), humid bathrooms

Winter care: Dry indoor air is actually perfect for this desert beauty

Temperature

Comfort zone: 70-80°F during growing season, 50-60°F during winter rest period

Avoid: Temperatures below 50°F, cold drafts, sudden temperature changes, rooms with high humidity like bathrooms

Winter care: Keep away from cold windows and heating vents; a cool-down period actually encourages blooming!

Soil & Feeding

Soil: Well-draining succulent or cactus mix - drainage is everything for healthy roots

Feeding schedule:

  • Growing season (Spring/Summer): Monthly with diluted succulent fertilizer

  • Dormant season (Fall/Winter): No feeding needed - let your plant rest

Fertilizer type: Balanced liquid fertilizer (like 10-10-10) diluted to half strength, or use a specialized cactus/succulent fertilizer

Winter feeding: No fertilizer during dormant months - your plant needs this rest period to potentially bloom in spring


Monthly Care Ritual

Every month, create a moment to connect with your trailing beauty:

  • Check those pearls: Feel for plumpness - wrinkled pearls mean watering time (this becomes a meditation on really observing your plants)

  • Inspect for pests: Look under the strands - succulents are usually pest-resistant but vigilance keeps them thriving

  • Gentle rotation: Turn the pot so all strands get equal light (like ensuring all parts of your life get attention)

  • Trim if needed: Pinch off any damaged pearls or overly long strands to encourage fuller growth

  • Check drainage: Make sure water flows freely - soggy soil is a succulent's biggest enemy

Growing season bonus ritual (Spring/Summer):

  • Offer diluted succulent fertilizer as gentle nourishment

  • Check for new growth points - String of Pearls grows quickly in warm weather

  • Consider propagation if strands are getting beautifully long

 

Propagation & Repotting Magic

When Your Plant Needs More Space

Every 2-3 years in spring, or when your plant starts sending you these signals:

  • Strands are so long they're touching the floor (time to share the wealth!)

  • Soil dries out extremely quickly after watering

  • The plant has simply outgrown its current hanging space and is ready to multiply

Think of repotting as giving your succulent room to develop even more trailing strands - like expanding your plant family naturally.



The Magic of Making More Plants

Best method: Stem cuttings or soil layering (it's like creating instant new plants!)

There's something magical about taking healthy strands and creating multiple new trailing beauties. Here's how to work this succulent magic:

  • Cut 4-6 inch strands from healthy growth - use sterilized pruning shears or scissors

  • Remove the bottom few pearls from the cutting to expose the nodes - these will become your roots

  • Let the cut ends dry for 1-2 days in a shaded spot - this prevents rot and helps roots form

  • Plant in cactus/succulent soil - bury the naked stem nodes and keep pearls above the soil

  • Place in bright, indirect light and keep soil slightly moist until roots establish (2-4 weeks)

Alternative method: Lay trailing pieces on top of soil while still attached - they'll root naturally!

Pro tip from one plant-obsessed person to another: Spring through early fall are the best times for propagation. You can also propagate in water first, then transfer to soil once roots develop. There's something deeply satisfying about watching your plant create its own abundance!

Common Visitors & How to Handle Them

  • The tiny web spinners: These microscopic visitors show up when the air gets too dry - unusual for succulents, but can happen in very arid conditions.

    Signs: Tiny webs between pearls, stippled appearance on leaves, tiny moving dots

    Natural remedy: Increase air circulation, wipe strands gently with a damp cloth, use neem oil spray

  • The white cotton crashers: These little cotton-ball lookalikes love to hide in the joints where pearls connect to stems.

    Signs: White cotton-like clusters along stems, sticky honeydew residue

    Gentle removal: Dab with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab (they dissolve instantly), or use insecticidal soap spray

  • The overwatering indicators: These tiny flies appear when soil stays too moist - they're telling you to embrace the desert watering style.

    Signs: Tiny flies buzzing around the soil surface

    Rebalancing: Let the soil dry completely between waterings, use yellow sticky traps, and ensure proper drainage

FAQ & Plant Wisdom

  • Your plant is simply thirsty!

    Wrinkled pearls are nature's perfect watering indicator - give the plant a deep drink and watch them plump back up within a day or two. This is totally normal succulent behavior.

  • This indicates overwatering - the most common issue with String of Pearls. Remove the affected pearls immediately, check your watering schedule, and ensure the soil has good drainage. Let the plant dry out completely before watering again.

  • Your plant is stretching for more light!

    Move it to a brighter location with more indirect sunlight. You can also trim back leggy growth to encourage fuller, more compact pearl formation.


  • Usually a lighting issue - either too much direct sun (causing stress) or insufficient light (causing elongation). Find that sweet spot of bright, indirect light where the pearls maintain their perfect round shape.

  • Absolutely!

    Happy, mature string of pearls produce small white flowers that smell like cinnamon - it's a sign your succulent is thriving! You can enjoy the blooms or remove them; either choice is fine.

  • With proper care, strands can reach 3 feet or even longer, creating gorgeous cascading curtains!

    Regular trimming helps maintain fullness, and you can propagate the cuttings to create even more plants.

  • In warm, dry climates (zones 9-12), it makes an excellent outdoor hanging plant or ground cover. It needs protection from intense sun and any frost - think Mediterranean garden vibes.

  • A few pearls dropping is normal, especially when the plant is adjusting to a new home. If many are falling, check for overwatering, insufficient light, or pest issues.

    Healthy plants should have firmly attached pearls.

  • Every 2-3 years, in the spring, or when strands are so abundant that the plant seems crowded. String of pearls actually prefer to be slightly pot-bound, so don't rush to repot. Choose a hanging basket only 1-2 inches larger.

  • Pinch growing tips to encourage branching, ensure bright light for compact growth, and consider laying some trailing strands on top of the soil to root - this creates natural fullness from multiple growing points.

Still need help?

Having trouble with your String of Pearls? We are here to help!

  • Email us at hello@dirt-witch.com with photos of any issues

  • Send us a DM on Instagram@dirtwitchstudio with your questions

Remember: String of Pearls can take a few weeks to adjust to new homes, but once they settle in, they're incredibly rewarding trailing companions. Trust your instincts and observe what your plant is telling you through those expressive little pearls!

Happy growing!