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What family and genus does the string of pearls plant belong to? It belongs to a different family and genus

Flowers & Gardening By Emily Carter 0 views
String of pearls is a succulent plant in the Asteraceae family, Senecio genus. Its plump, jade-green oval leaves look like small pearls, so it is also known as pearl spider plant. The stems trail or creep along the soil surface, so it is mostly grown as a hanging basket plant. Mature plants produce small white flowers.

Common names of string of pearls

String of pearls is commonly known as pearl spider plant, string of beads, jade beads, rosary vine, and green beads.

Habits of string of pearls

String of pearls is a succulent plant in the Asteraceae family, Senecio genus. Spring and autumn are its growing seasons.

String of pearls is native to Africa. It likes a warm, dry, sunny environment, and its favorite temperature is 15~22°C.

It is not cold-tolerant, tolerates partial shade and drought, and dislikes high temperatures and waterlogged conditions. In summer, when temperatures are high, it enters dormancy and should be shaded appropriately; in other seasons it can be grown in full sun.

The most commonly used propagation method for string of pearls: cuttings.

Care tips for string of pearls

Soil: String of pearls is a shallow-rooted plant, so choose soil with strong air permeability and drainage. Usually, use equal parts leaf mold or peat soil, fertile garden soil, and coarse sand mixed together.

Watering: In summer, when high temperatures bring on semi-dormancy, keep the potting soil relatively dry. Place it in a cool spot for care, and keep it dry rather than wet. In winter, move the plant to an indoor windowsill for care and water once every 2~3 weeks.

Fertilizing: Fertilize once a month, and stop fertilizing in summer.

Pests and diseases: Common pests and diseases include stem rot and aphids. In hot, humid environments, it is highly susceptible to pests and diseases. Once an affected plant is found, promptly remove the diseased leaves and spray with a pesticide.

Propagation methods for string of pearls

Cuttings: In spring, cut off healthy, plump stems about 8~10 cm long. Lay them flat on a sand bed, gently press the base of the stems toward the soil surface or insert them obliquely into the sand bed, water a little to keep the soil moist, and keep the room temperature at 15~22°C. 15 days after insertion, roots can form at the stem nodes. Once new leaves grow, they can be potted up.

Suggested planting combinations: Burro's tail, Sedum lineare.

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