A plant for all the plant lovers out there! One of the favourites on the market right now.
The String of Pearls, also known under Senecio Rowleyanus, is part of the Asteraceae family. Who named it? A well-known succulent lover called Gordon Douglas Rowley, who was a British Botanist.
Perfect as a hanging plant or even as a cascading plant on the window sill or the shelf. Those vines have an imperative need to trail down, even if you cut them they won’t spread but just divide in two and continue to grow the longest possible. If you want an even pot try to turn your pot ¼ of a circle each time you water the plant and help the vines grow on all sides.
This delicate, elegant succulent is easy to grow and requires little care contrarily to what one could think.
It truly is a unique look as the plant grows into little pearls, which its name comes from, instead of the normal flat leaves. The plant can also produce little white flowers with bright blushed spikes.
To help the flowers to bloom, reduce the water and move the plant into a cooler area through the winter and the flowers should pop out. If you are lucky to have blooms get in close as the flowers smell like cinnamon.
Did you know that succulents store their water in their stems/foliage and it make it easier for the plant to remain alive during dry spells. The string of pearls keeps its moisture in their round leaves.
Do you want to learn more about these specific and uncommon round leaves?
Carry on reading…
The prime mission for the round leaves of the Senecio Rowleyanus is to store water, also the surface area of the leaves that is exposed to the sun and dry air also gets reduced due to their shape. This helps in minimising the loss of water through evaporation. If you look at the leaves very closely, you might be able to spot a small point at their tips and some kind of marking on their side on the side. These features facilitate the entry of light into the leaves, thereby allowing photosynthesis to take place.
As the stems grow, the external roots of the plant will make their way into the soil to grow. The plant is a fast grower and after a short period of time you will notice a mat-like appearance on the top of the soil made with all the beads. Once the top of the pot is covered, the pearls will start falling over the side and will trail until they reach the ground if you don’t trim them.
How to take care
Origin: Southwest Africa
Light: Loves it in a bright place, indirect sunlight. Can tolerate a few hours of direct sunlight.
Water: Allow to dry out between watering. Less water in winter.
Flowering: Autumn to Winter.
Temperature: Average indoor temperature, around 22 degrees, avoid draughts.
Humidity: Keep it low.
Feed: Occasionally during the growing season.
Growth Rate and Height: Repot every year to help it grow faster. Can grow up to a few meters long.
Toxicity: Keep away from children and pets as it can be toxic if eaten.
Over watering the plant can cause root problems. Make sure that your growing pot has drainage holes and that the plant doesn’t sit in water to avoid root rot. When fertilizing the plant, make sure you dilute the mix by half the solution recommend on the label.
What are you waiting for now?