Anyone have any advice for my poor string of pearls? I got her abt three weeks ago, did a bunch of research on repotting and waited until the roots were long enough to repot. She’s in a peat moss soil with a bottom watering pot, but I discovered mold on the soil this morning! TIA 🫶🏼
She may want a more porous soil. I let mine dry out completely before watering. She may have gotten too moist.
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The mold is due to consistently moist soil. String of pearls prefer a media that drains freely and and does not retain a lot of moisture. I wouldn’t put it in a self watering pot either as it’s running counter to what the plant needs. I use a mix of 1/3 cactus soil, 1/3 perlite and 1/3 decomposed granite (recipe from the Plant Daddy podcast). Water when the soil has dried out. Some people wait to see mild wrinkling in the pearls before watering. Size the pot according to the plant size (tiny plant, tiny pot). The plants have a shallow root system so a shallow pot can help. Terracotta is also helpful. Regardless of what kind of pot you use, make sure it has drainage (holes can be added to most vessels if you have the right kind of drill bit and take it slow). I have mine in an east window that gets direct sun for around 6 hours but I think it would be a little happier with a little less light. Don’t beat yourself up if it takes some time to figure these guys out. They are tough plants for most people. Good luck!
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I lost my last pearl yesterday. I was too done as this was the 3rd one that died on me. Thank you for this much needed advice. If I see another one that on clearance I will reconsider and give it another go. Thank you!
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String of pearls need soil with very little organic matter. I would suggest a 75% grit to 25% organic matter ratio. Give them as much sun as you can after acclimating slowly and water only after the substrate has been dry for a couple of weeks. Follow these tips and you can have beautiful sting of pearls.
These are my strings in a south facing window with the sun blazing down on them for most of the day. I trim them regularly, prop the cuttings and give away the baby plants to family and friends. Lots of sun Little water Inorganic soil
I have mine in leca and they love it!
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