I’ve got this string of pearls plant dangling over my kitchen counter—a funky cascade of tiny green beads that looks like it escaped from a fairy tale. It started as a scrappy little cutting I nabbed from a friend’s overgrown pot, just a few sad pearls clinging to a threadbare stem. Now it’s a wild, trailing mess, spilling over the edge like it’s got places to be. I’m no plant pro—my history’s littered with crispy casualties—but this quirky little succulent? It’s hung in there, despite my best efforts to mess it up.
If you’re like me—hooked on weird plants but not some gardening guru—this is your vibe. I’ve stumbled through growing and caring for my string of pearls, and it’s still kicking, beads and all. We’re talking basics here—light, water, a little TLC—nothing fancy, just what keeps it alive. I’ll spill how I do it, where I’ve flopped, and how you can grow your own string of pearls without turning it into a shriveled wreck. No pro setup—just me, a chipped pot, and a lot of “let’s hope this works.” Ready? Let’s get this pearl party growing!
Why String of Pearls Is My Weird Little Buddy
Real talk: string of pearls is the oddball of my plant crew. Those tiny, round leaves—like peas on a string—make it look more like a craft project than a plant. It’s a succulent, so it’s got that tough, low-maintenance streak, but it’s fussier than your average cactus. I’ve killed plenty of plants—overwatered, underwatered, you name it—but this one’s stuck with me, trailing along like a chill friend who doesn’t judge. I’ve got it hanging by my sink now, and it’s turned my kitchen into a quirky green corner. Here’s how I’ve kept it going, mess and all.
Growing String of Pearls: Getting It Started
String of pearls isn’t hard to kick off—it’s a succulent, so it’s forgiving, but it’s got quirks. I’ve learned the ropes through trial and error, mostly error. Here’s my sloppy guide.
What You’ll Need
- A string of pearls (I snagged a cutting; nurseries or online work too).
- A pot with drainage (I’ve used a cracked mug—holes are key).
- Sandy, gritty dirt (I mix potting soil with sand or perlite—succulent style).
- A bright spot (more on that soon).
- A laid-back vibe (my default setting).
How I Plant It
- Grab Your Guy: I started with a cutting—few inches, some pearls, no rot. Store-bought ones are fine too—just check for mushy bits.
- Pot It Up: I use a small pot—roots don’t need much—fill it with my sandy mix, and tuck the stem in. Barely cover it; those pearls like air.
- Set It Down: I hang it near a window—bright light, no scorch—and give it a tiny splash of water. Not much—it’s a desert baby.
- Watch It Roll: It sits there, looking smug, and starts growing—slowly at first, then bam, beads everywhere.
My Planting Tale
First try, I stuffed it in a pot with no drainage—huge mistake. Water sat, pearls dropped like flies. Next go, I poked holes in a thrift-store cup, used gritty dirt, and it took off. Now it’s trailing a foot long, and I’m grinning every time I see those goofy beads.
Pro Tips (From My Flops)
- Drainage or bust—soggy kills it fast.
- Don’t bury the pearls—they rot if you do.
- Bright light to start—shade makes it sulk.
Caring for String of Pearls: Keeping It Alive
Once it’s in, string of pearls doesn’t beg for much—perfect for a slacker like me. Here’s how I keep mine kicking without overthinking it.
Light: Bright but Not Blazing
- What It Likes: Lots of indirect light—think sunny window, no direct fry. Mine’s by my south-facing sink, soaking up rays through a sheer curtain.
- My Story: Left it in full sun once—pearls shriveled like raisins. Moved it to softer light, and it bounced back. It’s picky, but not a diva.
Water: Less Is More
- What It Needs: Water when it’s dry—every 2-3 weeks for me. I soak the soil, let it drain, and leave it alone. Pearls store water, so it’s chill.
- My Story: Overwatered early on—half the strand rotted, smelled like a swamp. Now I wait ‘til it’s bone-dry, and it’s thriving.
Soil: Gritty and Loose
- What It Wants: Well-draining dirt—sand, perlite, cactus mix, whatever. Mine’s in a sandy blend, and it loves it.
- My Story: Used regular potting soil once—too dense, roots got mad. Switched to gritty stuff, and it’s been smooth sailing.
Humidity: Keep It Dry
- What It Likes: Low humidity—desert vibes. My kitchen’s steamy sometimes, but it shrugs it off.
- My Story: Misted it once—thought I was helping. Pearls got soggy, dropped off. Now I skip the spray, and it’s happy.
Food: Barely a Nibble
- What It Eats: Tiny bit of succulent fertilizer—quarter-strength, once a month in spring-summer. I skip winter—it’s napping.
- My Story: Fed it too much—pearls yellowed. Less is way more; it’s not a hog.
Pruning: Trim the Mess
- What It Needs: Snip leggy bits or dead pearls—keeps it full. I cut mine when it gets scraggly.
- My Story: Let it grow wild once—looked like a stringy mess. Trimmed it back, and it’s bushier now.
My Dumb Flops (Laugh at Me)
- Swamp Pot: Planted in no-drainage—rotted half the strand. Holes, man!
- Sun Scorch: Full sun fried it—pearls dropped like tears. Indirect’s the move.
- Water Woe: Overwatered—turned to mush. Dry it out, always.
- Mist Mistake: Sprayed it—soggy pearls fell off. Keep it dry!
Keeping Your String of Pearls Thriving
Here’s my sloppy playbook:
- Light: Bright, indirect—too much sun crisps it.
- Water: Sparse, when dry—overwatering’s the enemy.
- Dirt: Sandy, draining—wet feet sink it.
- Vibes: I talk to it—dumb, but it grows (I swear).
My kitchen’s a string of pearls hangout now—beads trailing over the counter, spilling like green marbles. It’s a quirky mess, and I’m hooked. Grab a cutting, pot it up, and let it roll—you’ll see. Got a pearl tale—win or flop? Drop it below—I’m dying to hear! Let’s keep these weirdos thriving, one bead at a time.
