String of pearls care
String of pearls is a trailing succulent whose pea-shaped leaves have a translucent "window" to let light in. It rots easily, so shallow pots and gritty soil are key.
Light
Bright light with a few hours of gentle direct sun, ideally from an east or west window.
Watering
Water when the soil is dry and the pearls look slightly less plump. Water less often in winter.
Soil, feeding and repotting
Soil: Gritty cactus mix in a shallow terracotta pot.
Feeding: Diluted fertiliser a few times in spring and summer.
Repotting: Rarely; it has shallow roots.
Propagation
Lay strand cuttings on top of moist gritty mix; they root where they touch.
Problems and fixes
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mushy pearls near the soil | Overwatering or soil staying wet. | Remove rot, re-root healthy strands in dry grit. |
| Shrivelled pearls | Underwatering or roots already rotted. | Check roots; water if healthy. |
| Bare top of the pot | Low light or old strands. | Coil cuttings on the soil surface. |
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Ask about your string of pearls
Questions gardeners ask
How often do you water string of pearls?
Roughly every two weeks in summer and every three to four weeks in winter, when the soil has dried.