The String of Pearls plant (Senecio rowleyanus) is a distinctive succulent with trailing stems and spherical, bead-like leaves. Pruning is a beneficial practice that supports its health, manages its shape, and encourages a fuller appearance.
Why and When Pruning Is Important
Pruning encourages a denser, bushier form by signaling new growth from lower buds. This helps address leggy or sparse growth, where stems become elongated with fewer “pearls” due to insufficient light, promoting a more compact and attractive plant.
Pruning also improves air circulation, preventing fungal issues. Removing dead, yellowing, or damaged stems redirects the plant’s energy to healthy new growth. The optimal time for pruning is during the active growing season, typically spring through early fall, allowing for quick recovery and new development.
Pruning Techniques
Gather clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears. Sterilize these tools with rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution before and after use to prevent disease spread and promote faster healing.
Inspect the plant for overgrown, damaged, or sparse stems. For bushier growth, cut just below a leaf node, where new growth emerges. For general shaping, trim three to five inches from each stem, or more if needed. Make clean, precise cuts to minimize plant stress.
For thinning foliage, trim some vines shorter to allow more light and air to reach the crown, promoting robust growth. Remove dead or diseased sections entirely. Handle delicate vines gently to avoid accidental breakage.
After Pruning and Using Cuttings
After pruning, adjust the watering schedule. Allow the plant to rest for about a week before watering again. Place it in a warm, bright location, ideally receiving six to eight hours of bright, indirect light daily. Monitor the plant for any signs of stress.
Trimmed cuttings can be propagated to create new plants. Allow the cut ends to “callous over” for 24 to 48 hours in a cool, dry space. This drying period prevents rot when cuttings are placed in soil.
Once calloused, cuttings can be rooted in either soil or water. For soil propagation, use a well-draining succulent or cactus mix; remove leaves from the bottom two inches to expose nodes, then gently push the bare stem into the soil. For water propagation, submerge the bare stem end in room-temperature water, ensuring no pearls are submerged to prevent rot. Roots typically form within three to four weeks. Once roots are about an inch long, water-rooted cuttings can be transplanted into soil.