Senecio | String of Pearls
If you're looking for a simple succulent to trail around your home, say ‘hello’ to the String of Pearls (Senecio Rowleyanus). In addition to the carefree growth habit, this interesting houseplant can provide a unique focal point in your home. Stringing over the edges of containers or hanging baskets, this plant resembles a pearl necklace with the fleshy green, pea-like leaves.
Senecio Rowleyanus is Native to the dry regions of Southwestern Africa and is also called rosary or String of beads. This flowering succulent is a perennial and grows in shady areas, protected by rocks and taller plants. Although the flowers may seem small and unattractive to some people, others give the faint white flowers (which smell a bit like cinnamon) a warm welcome.
Still, it is the thin thread-like stems and bubbly round, pearl-like leaves that make this unusual houseplant a great addition to the home. It is extremely easy to learn how to grow a String of Pearls houseplant.
Care
The most important care for this plant is to hold back on watering. The delicately thin roots do not tolerate to sit in drenched soil, and since the pearls store water they will quickly turn to mushy peas if overwatered. It is still important to remember that you don’t want the soil to be bone dry either. When ⅓ of the soil has water (lift your pot, you’ll be able to “feel” that the top of the soil is dry), water it until it’s saturated to the top. String of Pearls grow in arid climates, so they require a sandy, well-draining soil and a container with drainage holes
During winter it is important to cut back even further on watering and move away from any heat source. Dry and cool conditions will encourage healthy growth in Spring. It is also vital for the plant to have some sun during the early hours of the day. Late evening sun can burn the little beads, and no sun can cause plants to use less water, and thus leave roots to rot.
Problems
Mushy and shrivelled pearls - over watered.
Dry and wrinkly pearls - underwatered. Dull colouring, scars and scratches on beads - too much sun. Beads clumping together on top and blackened - overwatered, and possibly not aired enough. Make sure your pot allows the pearls to trail over and hang down.