Maegan-Leigh JacobsThere’s something truly delightful about a healthy String of Pearls tumbling down a shelf or hanging basket – those dainty, bead-like leaves look like living jewellery. But even the most beautiful specimens don’t last forever.
After a few years, the stems can become woody and sparse. The best way to keep this gorgeous succulent thriving for years is by propagating it. Here are four easy, foolproof ways to multiply your String of Pearls and enjoy their cascading charm all over your home.
Propagate in soil
This is the simplest and most reliable way to grow new plants.
Snip a healthy stem about 10–15 cm long using clean scissors and let the cut end dry for a day or two so it can callus – this helps prevent rotting. Gently remove a few pearls from the bottom of the stem and, if you have some, dip the exposed nodes in rooting hormone. Plant the stem into a small pot filled with well-draining succulent mix, firming the soil lightly around it.
Water sparingly – just enough to moisten the soil – and keep the pot in bright, indirect light. In about a month, new roots will form, and your cutting will start sending out fresh vines.
Propagate in water
If you love watching the magic of roots appear, water propagation is the way to go.
Take a few 10–15 cm cuttings, remove the lower pearls, and let the ends dry for a day. Place the stems in a small glass or jar of clean water, making sure only the stem (not the pearls) is submerged. Keep it in a bright, warm spot and change the water weekly.
In two to three weeks, you’ll spot delicate white roots forming. Once they’re around 2 cm long, gently pot the new plants into moist succulent mix and treat them as you would a mature plant.
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Propagate by layering
Layering is a wonderfully simple, low-effort way to grow new plants – and it doesn’t even require cuttings.
Place a small pot filled with fresh succulent mix next to your existing plant. Take one of the longer vines and lay it across the new pot, pressing down gently where you’ve removed a few pearls. Use a small pin or paper clip to hold the stem in place.
Keep the soil slightly damp, and in a few weeks, you’ll notice new roots forming where the stem touches the soil. Once it’s established, snip the new section free from the mother plant – and voilà, you’ve got a new String of Pearls ready to grow on its own.
Propagate by division
If your plant has become thick and tangled, dividing it gives you instant new plants with minimal effort.
Water your String of Pearls a day before dividing to make the roots easier to handle. Carefully lift the plant from its pot and loosen the soil around the roots. Look for natural clusters – small sections of vines with their own root systems – and gently separate them using your hands or a clean blade.
Plant each section into its own pot filled with fresh succulent mix, letting the pearls rest neatly on top of the soil. Wait two to three days before watering so the roots can settle, then water lightly and place them in bright, indirect light.
Caring for your new plants
Once your new cuttings or divisions are settled, treat them gently as they find their roots. Keep them in a bright but sheltered spot, away from direct sunlight, and water only when the top layer of soil feels dry. If the pearls begin to wrinkle slightly, it’s time for a drink.
Avoid overwatering – soggy soil is the quickest way to lose these delicate plants. With a little patience and care, your String of Pearls will soon be tumbling beautifully again, ready to brighten another corner of your home or to share with friends.
ALSO SEE: THE BEST PLANTS TO USE FOR OVERHEADS
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