String of Pearls Care: The Succulent That Looks Like Jewelry

String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is one of the most striking succulents you can grow.

The trailing stems lined with perfect little spheres look like living jewelry. It is sculptural, delicate, and Instagram-worthy.

It is also more finicky than most succulents. Get the watering wrong and it shrivels. Get the light wrong and it gets leggy. But if you nail the care, it is stunning.

Quick Care Summary

  • Light: Bright, indirect light with some direct sun
  • Water: When pearls start to shrivel (every 10 to 14 days)
  • Soil: Cactus mix or very well-draining soil
  • Biggest challenge: Overwatering and low light

Light

String of pearls needs bright light to thrive.

Best light:

  • Bright, indirect light with a few hours of gentle direct sun
  • South or west-facing window
  • East-facing window works too

Signs of too little light:

  • Long gaps between pearls (leggy growth)
  • Weak, thin stems
  • Pearls lose their round shape

Signs of too much light:

  • Pearls turning brown or shriveled
  • Sunburn spots

Pro tip: String of pearls can handle more direct sun than most succulents, but introduce it gradually.

Watering

This is where most people mess up.

String of pearls is a succulent. It stores water in its pearls. It hates wet soil.

How to water:

  1. Wait until the pearls start to look slightly wrinkled or deflated
  2. Water deeply until it drains
  3. Wait until the pearls shrivel slightly again

How often?

  • Spring and summer: Every 10 to 14 days
  • Fall and winter: Every 14 to 21 days

Signs of overwatering:

  • Mushy, translucent pearls
  • Stems rotting
  • Root rot

Signs of underwatering:

  • Shriveled, wrinkled pearls
  • Pearls falling off easily

Pro tip: Underwatering is safer than overwatering. String of pearls can recover from shriveled pearls, but not from rot.

Soil and Pot

Drainage is critical.

Best soil:

  • Cactus and succulent mix
  • Or regular potting soil with perlite (1:1 ratio) and coarse sand

Pot requirements:

  • Must have drainage holes
  • Shallow pots work well (roots are shallow)

Temperature and Humidity

String of pearls prefers dry conditions.

  • Temperature: 65 to 80 F
  • Humidity: Dry indoor air is fine

Keep it away from cold drafts and temperatures below 50 F.

Fertilizer

String of pearls is a light feeder.

  • Fertilize once in spring and once in summer
  • Use diluted liquid fertilizer (half strength)
  • Skip in fall and winter

Propagating String of Pearls

String of pearls propagates easily from stem cuttings.

Steps:

  1. Cut a 3 to 4 inch stem
  2. Remove the bottom few pearls to expose nodes
  3. Lay the stem on top of moist cactus mix
  4. Pin it down lightly with a bobby pin or small stone
  5. Roots develop in 2 to 4 weeks

Pro tip: You can also root cuttings in water, but soil propagation is more reliable.

Common Problems

Shriveled pearls

Underwatering. Give it a good drink.

Mushy, translucent pearls

Overwatering or root rot. Let the soil dry completely and reduce watering.

Leggy growth with long gaps

Not enough light. Move to a brighter spot with some direct sun.

Pearls falling off

Natural aging, underwatering, or pests. Check soil moisture and inspect for bugs.

Stems dying from the base

Root rot from overwatering. Cut away dead stems, let the soil dry, and repot in fresh soil.

Why String of Pearls Is Tricky

String of pearls is finicky because:

  • It needs more light than most indoor succulents
  • Overwatering kills it fast
  • It is sensitive to temperature changes
  • Roots are shallow and rot easily

If you can provide bright light and resist the urge to water too often, it thrives.

Displaying String of Pearls

String of pearls looks best in hanging pots or on high shelves where the stems can trail.

Display tips:

  • Use a shallow, wide pot
  • Let stems trail at least 12 inches for visual impact
  • Rotate weekly so all sides get even light
  • Avoid placing in high-traffic areas (stems are fragile)

What To Do Next

  • If you love trailing succulents, try String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii) or String of Bananas (Senecio radicans)
  • If your String of Pearls is leggy, prune it back and propagate the cuttings
  • If overwatering is your weakness, try a more forgiving succulent like jade plant or Haworthia
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