STRING OF PEARLS

SENECIO ROWLEYANUS

My String of Pearls is dying, how can I save it?

First, let's look at what the problems might be.

1. The pot might be too large.
2. The plant's roots might be planted too deep.
3. It might be under-watered.
4. It might be over-watered.
5. The wrong soil might be used.
6. It might have been exposed to too much sun.
7. It might not be getting enough light.
8. It might have been infested with insects/pests.
9. It might be in an overly humid environment.
10. The fertilizer might be too strong.

1. The pot might be too large.

If the pot we planted it in is larger than it should be, we might have overwatered it to properly soak the soil, which then causes the roots to rot. String of Pearls are not like other succulents; their roots are very delicate, which makes them rot very easily.

2. The plant's roots might be planted too deep.

The roots of String of Pearls are not very long, so they don't need very deep soil. If there is too much soil, it will stay wet for a long time, again increasing the likelihood of root rot. You should plant the roots of a String of Pearls about 3 cm deep, no more, otherwise the plant won't get air, which can lead to rot or fungus.

3. It might be under-watered.

If the pea-like leaves are shriveled and dry, or have started to turn slightly brown, it means it's being under-watered. Under-watering is better than over-watering. If you're unsure, opt for under-watering until you're confident. Of course, listen to the plant in the meantime. For example, if the leaves shrivel when you water once a month, try watering every 2 weeks and reassess the situation. Keep in mind that a young String of Pearls needs more water than an older one. It's a baby, after all :)

4. It might be over-watered.

The roots of String of Pearls are quite thin compared to other succulents, so they cannot hold much water in their stems; they store water in their pea-like leaves. Therefore, when over-watered, these "peas" become mushy and soft. When they can no longer hold water, they burst and shrivel. If you are sure your plant is well-watered and still shriveling, then it's due to overwatering. In such cases, stop watering and wait for the soil to dry out. Then you can return to your normal routine.

In a normal routine, water the plant thoroughly, trying to water the base rather than the top, so the leaves/beads don’t get wet. For example, if you are in a hot climate in summer, you can water once a week or perhaps a little more often if it's very hot. As the weather cools, this can extend to 10 days or 2 weeks. If your plant is outdoors in winter and it's raining, you may not even need to water it, but if there's no rain, it can be watered every 2 weeks. If you still can't figure out when to water, wait for the round leaves to shrivel; this means it needs water. Then water thoroughly, letting the water drain completely from the hole, and you can rest assured.

Yellowing leaves also indicate overwatering and root damage. If the roots are damaged, the plant cannot absorb the necessary nutrients from the soil, and the leaves start to lose their ability to photosynthesize, which is why the leaves begin to lose their vibrant green color slightly. If the entire plant has not yellowed, there is still hope; you can stop watering until the soil dries out completely.

If you're still getting the hang of overwatering, use a terracotta pot instead of a plastic pot that retains moisture. Of course, porous terracotta pots.

5. The wrong soil might be used.

String of Pearls needs good drainage; if the soil remains moist, the delicate roots can easily rot. If the soil doesn't get enough air, you'll see the plant become bushy, which indicates that the soil needs to be lightened. When you buy soil and it feels heavy when you weigh it in your hand, you can immediately tell that it's not suitable for String of Pearls. PLOT Succulent Soil provides an ideal growing medium for this plant.

6. It might have been exposed to too much sun.

String of Pearls loves good light, but not direct sunlight.

7. It might not be getting enough light.

It doesn't like direct sunlight, but it certainly loves good light. If your String of Pearls is indoors, it must be in a well-lit place with some airflow, next to a window or balcony door. If you think your plant is struggling indoors, check the light; it might not be getting enough. Low light + too much water is a recipe for this plant's demise.

8. It might have been infested with insects/pests.

Aphids and mealybugs love fresh plants. String of Pearls might have gotten its share of them. The biggest sign of these insects' presence is ants you'll suddenly notice around the plant. Ants love the sugary substance these insects produce as they feed, so they swarm around the plant and, of course, fight to the end to protect their food source. Don't panic when you see aphids or mealybugs, but don't delay. Spray PLOT Leaf Cleaner on the top and bottom of the leaves and the soil every 3-4 days. Even if you no longer see mealybugs or aphids, continue spraying for at least 1 month.

9. The environment it's in might be too humid.

String of Pearls doesn't like humidity much. A very humid environment delays the soil from drying out, which can lead to root rot.

10. The fertilizer might be too strong.

String of Pearls has a small stomach; it doesn't need excessive nutrients :) For example, a fertilizer that works very well for another plant might be too strong for String of Pearls and burn its roots. Excess salt in chemical fertilizers negatively affects String of Pearls. Organic PLOT Cactus Succulent Food is ideal for String of Pearls.

How to save a String of Pearls?

If you think you're experiencing one of the problems above, take corrective action immediately before the plant sustains further damage.

But what if your plant has started to die from the root? Even then, you still have a chance to save it.

First, prune anything that's dead, blackened, or moldy. Set aside the pieces you've salvaged; unlike other succulents, you don't need to dry them before replanting. Waiting a few hours might be enough to be sure. String of Pearls roots not only at the base but also along the stems. So, there's no need to worry about where the root is or where to plant it; it will root wherever it touches the soil. Remove the leaves from the part you'll plant and place it directly in the soil. If you want it to root extensively, you can also lay it directly on top of the soil before planting; it will find its own way and root in multiple places, but of course, the branches will take a bit longer to hang down in this case, the choice is yours.