What Soil Is Best for Growing String of Pearls? A Detailed Guide to Soil Mixing
String of Pearls is a plant in the genus Senecio of the Asteraceae family, native to South Africa. Its stems grow hanging or creeping along the soil surface, so it is mostly grown as a hanging basket plant. So what soil should be used to grow String of Pearls?
1. What soil to use for String of Pearls
Choose a breathable, loose soil. For home pot cultivation, a mixed soil of leaf mold, garden soil, river sand, coal cinders, and manure can be used as the growing medium. When potting, some decomposed chicken manure can be added and thoroughly stirred in, or a small amount of coal slag can be spread on top of the soil to give it better air and water permeability.
2. Cultivation techniques for String of Pearls
Each year from March to December is the plant's growing season. In summer it has a brief semi-dormant period. If light is insufficient, the plant tends to grow leggy, the stems become fragile, and the spacing between the leaves becomes very long. Plants grown in a spot with ample sunlight have a creeping growth habit with sturdy stems, plump leaves, and relatively tight spacing between the leaves.
During the growing season, keep the soil slightly moist and avoid waterlogging. The soil can be a mix of coal cinders, peat, and a small amount of perlite, in a ratio of roughly 6:3:1. When the potting soil is dry, it can tolerate a low temperature of around minus 2 degrees, referring to indoor temperatures, not outdoors. Basically stop watering throughout winter; once temperatures drop below 5 degrees, begin gradually cutting off water. In winter, try to keep temperatures above 0 degrees, otherwise, if the temperature is too low, the plant is prone to frost damage or death.
When summer temperatures exceed 35°C, the growth of the whole plant slows down. At this time, reduce watering to prevent root rot caused by overly damp potting soil. Also improve ventilation, provide appropriate shade, and avoid exposure to the scorching sun.
During cultivation, avoid prolonged rain. String of Pearls grows relatively fast; repot once every 1 to 2 years, repotting in early spring before the first watering. String of Pearls will grow many branches.
The flowers of String of Pearls come in two colors: one is white, which is relatively common, and the other is brown, which is less common.