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Plants / String of Pearls

String of Pearls

Curio rowleyanus

Also known as: String of Beads

⚠ïļ Toxic to petsAsteraceaeEasy to propagate

A complete guide to growing and propagating String of Pearls: its care needs, how to take cuttings and root them, how long propagation takes, and how to fix the most common problems.

String of Pearls care at a glance

☀ïļ Light
Bright, indirect light with some gentle direct morning sun.
💧 Water
Water when soil is dry; the pearls plump when hydrated, wrinkle when thirsty.
ðŸŠī Soil
Gritty cactus/succulent mix.
ðŸ’Ļ Humidity
Prefers dry air; avoid high humidity.
ðŸū Toxicity
Toxic to cats and dogs; sap irritates skin.

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Log when you took each cutting, set rooting reminders, and watch your propagation timeline — free on iPhone.

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How to propagate String of Pearls

Stem cuttings laid on soil

Difficulty: EasyTimeline: Roots in 2-4 weeks; strands fill in over 2-3 months.
  1. Snip a 4-6 inch strand of healthy pearls.
  2. Remove a few pearls near the cut end to expose nodes.
  3. Lay the strand on top of moist gritty soil so exposed nodes touch the surface.
  4. Mist lightly every few days until roots anchor.

Water propagation

Difficulty: EasyTimeline: Roots in 2-3 weeks.
  1. Cut a 4-6 inch strand and remove pearls from the bottom inch.
  2. Suspend the bare end in water without submerging the pearls.
  3. Pot into gritty mix once roots reach 1-2 inches.

Common String of Pearls problems & fixes

Shriveled, wrinkled pearls

Underwatering. Give a thorough drink; pearls should plump within a day.

Mushy pearls / strands dying

Overwatering and rot. Let soil dry fully and improve drainage.

Bare, leggy strands

Too little light. Move to a brighter spot near a window.

Track your string of pearls cuttings & propagation in SnipLog

Log when you took each cutting, set rooting reminders, and watch your propagation timeline — free on iPhone.

Get SnipLog →

Toxicity notes are a general guide based on ASPCA-style classifications — if a pet ingests any houseplant, contact your vet. Care needs vary with your home's conditions.