String of Pearls

The String of Pearls 

Precision Care for the Perfect Strand

The String of Pearls is an elegant, cascading jewel that requires precision, not guesswork. Treat your pearls like the treasures they are, and they’ll reward you with long, vibrant strands.

 The Diamond Light Standard (Lighting)

These pearls need lots of shine, but they hate the heat of the spotlight.

• The Rule: Provide bright, indirect light. Place them near your brightest window (South or West exposure is best indoors), but just out of the path of direct midday sun, which can scorch the delicate epidermis of the pearls.

• The Pro Tip: Ensure the top of the pot gets light. Since the vines drape over, the soil surface can become shaded, causing the pearls at the top to die off. Rotate your pot weekly and ensure overhead light hits the soil.

 The Calculated Sip (Watering)

This is where most plant parents fail. Pearls store water, so overwatering is a death sentence!

• The Rule: Use the "Wrinkle Test" instead of the finger test. Wait until the soil is bone-dry and the little pearls start to look slightly deflated, dimpled, or wrinkled. This is their signal that they are genuinely thirsty.

• The Technique (Drench & Drain): When it's time to water, soak the plant completely until water runs freely out of the bottom hole, then allow all excess water to drain away. Never let the pot sit in a saucer of water.

• The Schedule: This is usually once every 3-4 weeks in summer and once a month or less in winter. When in doubt, wait one more week!

 The Right Foundation (Soil)

Pearls hate heavy, slow-drying soil. They need a perfect runway for water.

• The Blend: Use a very gritty, fast-draining Cactus and Succulent Mix. For extra security, mix in extra drainage material like perlite, pumice, or sand (aim for 50% soil and 50% grit).

• The Pot: Terracotta is highly recommended, as it wicks moisture away from the soil, helping to prevent the dreaded root rot.

 The Salon Service (Pruning & Shaping)

If your strands start to look a little sparse at the top, it’s time for maintenance.

• The Refresh: Use clean shears to snip the ends of the vines.

• The Secret: Lay the trimmed cuttings directly on top of the soil in the pot. The nodes (the point where the pearl meets the string) will root into the soil, creating a denser, fuller pot top and making your entire plant look lusher!