The String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is a popular trailing succulent known for its unique, bead-like foliage that stores water. Its cascading nature makes it an attractive houseplant, and propagation is a simple way to increase your collection or revitalize an older specimen. Water propagation offers a clear view of root development, providing quick, visible results. This technique involves placing stem cuttings directly into water, allowing the plant’s natural growth hormones to initiate rooting without immediate soil contact.
Preparing the String of Pearls Cuttings
Successful water propagation begins with selecting healthy plant material from the mother plant. Choose firm, robust strands that are not shriveled, and use a sterile cutting tool, such as sharp scissors or pruners, to snip off sections about four to six inches long. Sterilizing the tool with rubbing alcohol prevents the transfer of bacteria or fungal spores that could cause the cutting to rot.
Prepare the portion of the stem that will be submerged by carefully removing the “pearls,” or leaves, from the bottom inch of the cutting. This exposes the nodes, the small bumps where roots will emerge. This bare stem section must be exposed to water while keeping the moisture-retaining pearls safely above the waterline.
Allow the cut end to dry and form a protective seal, a process known as callousing. Place the cuttings in a dry, shaded area for one to two days until the cut surface appears dry and slightly scabbed over. This measure minimizes the risk of water-borne pathogens entering the plant tissue and causing decay once submerged.
Setting Up the Water Propagation Vessel
Once the cuttings are calloused, they are ready to be placed in a propagation vessel filled with room-temperature water. Small, clear containers like shot glasses, test tubes, or mason jars are ideal because they allow you to monitor the root growth easily. The vessel should be small enough to hold the cutting upright without letting the pearls fall into the water.
Fill the container with just enough water to submerge only the bare stem section where the pearls were removed. It is important that the foliage remains above the water surface, as the water-filled leaves will quickly rot if they are consistently wet. The submerged nodes are the specific points on the stem where the adventitious roots will form.
The vessel should then be placed in an environment that encourages root development. A location that receives bright, indirect light is best, as direct sunlight can overheat the water and damage the delicate stems. Consistent warmth also helps to accelerate the rooting process, so avoid placing the vessel near cold drafts or air conditioning vents.
Caring for Roots and Moving to Soil
Under optimal conditions, small, translucent roots typically begin to emerge from the nodes within two to six weeks. During this period, the water needs to be changed every few days to maintain adequate oxygen levels and prevent the proliferation of bacteria or algae. Stagnant water is depleted of oxygen and can quickly lead to stem rot, halting the rooting process.
Monitor the roots until they reach a length of at least one inch, appearing white and fibrous, which indicates they are robust enough to survive the transition to a soil environment. Transplanting too early, when roots are very short or fragile, or too late, when they have become accustomed to the water medium, can lead to transplant shock. The goal is to move the cutting just as the water roots are well-established but before they become overly dependent on the aquatic environment.
To transition the newly rooted cuttings, prepare a pot with a well-draining succulent or cactus soil mix. Gently plant the rooted stem into the soil, being careful not to damage the fragile water roots during the process. Water the soil lightly immediately after planting.
Maintain a more frequent watering schedule than you would for a mature succulent, as the water-grown roots are not yet adapted to drawing moisture from dry soil. Gradually decrease the watering frequency over several weeks until the plant is on a standard succulent watering schedule, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.