Growing succulents indoors can be a bit tricky. However, with these simple tips you’ll be able to better care for your indoor succulent collection.
As cute as they are, succulents don’t always make the best indoor house plants.
But, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t grow them!
This post will teach you exactly how to grow beautiful, healthy succulents indoors.
1. String of pearls
String of pearls – Senecio Rowleyanus is a beautiful, cascading succulent that will add that little quirk to any house. The plant grows fast and propagates easily and can grow both indoor and outdoor. If you are looking for a beautiful succulent to grow, Senecio Rowleyanus Strings of pearls is a great choice. And there’re a few care tips that you need to know to care for String of pearls properly.
SHOULD YOU GROW STRING OF PEARLS INDOORS OR OUTDOORS?
String of pearls is a delicate hanging succulent that thrives in a warm and dry environment. They are very easy to care for as an indoor houseplant but are also an ideal succulent to grow outdoors, especially if you live in zones 9 and warmer. But in other zones, where the temperature tends to drop lower than 30 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s better to grow the String of Pearls in a container, so they can easily be carried indoors for protection.
When grown outdoors, String of Pearls should be placed in a partially shaded spot, where it can be protected from the hot sun in the afternoon, and at the same ᴛι̇ɱe, enjoy some bright, indirect morning sunlight.
HOW TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF STRING OF PEARLS
1. LIGHT
Either grown indoors or outdoors, String of Pearls plants need to be placed in a spot where it can get at least 6 to 8 hours of bright, indirect sunlight per day. But again, you have to find a partially shaded spot to grow this plant outdoors.
If kept indoors, place your String of Pearls in a spot where it can receive plenty of strong natural light, like near an east-facing window. Growing it near a South or West-facing window will also do, as long as you place the plant about 5 to 10-inches away from the window, especially if you live in a hot, desert-like area to prevent it from getting sunburnt. In darker, cooler months, consider moving them to a brighter spot or closer to the window to make sure they get all the light they need per day.
In case your place doesn’t have enough light for your String of Pearls, then consider putting them 6 – 12 inches under a fluorescent light fixture for about 12- 16 hours of light per day to keep them happy.
2.TEMPERATURE
String of Pearls succulent should be kept at average indoor temperature of 70° – 80° degrees Fahrenheit. During winter, keep the plant at cool temperature – around 55° – 60° degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t keep them in drafty areas, or areas with air conditioner and open window as cold air may causes the leaves to drop. String of pearls aren’t frost-tolerant so they’ll need to be moved indoor in the winter.
3. HUMIDITY
String of Pearls does not require a lot of humidity to thrive. In fact, this succulent is native to dry areas, so dry air wouldn’t do any harm to it. Plus, it can enjoy in almost any standard household humidity setting (about 40% relative humidity).
4. SOIL & POT
Pearls Plant like any succulent need well-draining soil to thrive. Hence, choosing a well-drained pot is the first step to make your spring of hearts happy. Terracotta and unglazed ceramic pots are the two most popular choices thanks to their extraordinary drainage.
Choosing the perfect size of the pot is another important factor for succulents to grow well. The pot need to be big enough to let them fill to the brim, as if the pot is too big for the plant then the soil will stay wet for too long and the pearls resting on that wet soil will get rot. And String of Pearls have very shallow roots so they don’t need a deep pot as well.
Another important thing is to make sure the crowns of the pearls stay at the same level with the top of the pot or at most 0.5 – 1 inch lower than the top, otherwise the aeration will decrease, together with wet soil, the crowns and stems of the plant will get rot easier.
String of pearls are pretty easy to take care of so you can literally start with any kind of succulent potting soil, but sandy soil is preferable. You can follow this mix with 3 part good potting soil and 1 part sharp sand.
5. WATER
String of Pearls are very sensitive to overwatering, so make sure that you give them just enough water. Recommended amount is once every two weeks. One tip to make sure you don’t overwater your plant is to check if the soil is half an inch (1.2cm) dry before the next water. During winter ᴛι̇ɱe, cut back watering to once per month.
String of pearls are often grown indoor, but it does not mean it can not make a great outdoor plant. For outdoor String of Pearls, it’ll depend on how hot the area is, that you can adjust the number of ᴛι̇ɱes to water the plant or you can let the rain does the job for you.
6. FERTILIZER
Succulents usually don’t need a lot of fertilizer and too much fertilizer can kill Pearls Succulent too. During growth ᴛι̇ɱe, they might get fertilized once every 2 or 4 weeks in spring and mid-summer. And no fertilizer is needed for fall and winter. And the fertilizer should be weakened to not overwhelm the plant.
HOW TO MAKE STRING OF PEARLS BLOOM
String of pearls bloom tiny white flowers with scent like cinnamon. To encourage spring flowers, cut back on watering and keep the plant in a consistent temperature of 60 degree during winter. Cool and dry condition during winter often promote blooming during summer. The blooming period will last around 1 month.
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2. String of hearts
String of Heart, also known as Ceropegia woodii, is a gorgeous trailing succulent to add to any living space. While to some, they might be difficult to care for, however once you get the hang of it, String of Hearts Succulent is one of the most tolerant houseplants. You can find some basic knowledge to take good care of String of Hearts in this article.
SHOULD YOU GROW STRING OF HEARTS OUTDOORS OR INDOORS
1. GROWING STRING OF HEARTS OUTDOORS
The String of Hearts can be grown outdoors as a sprawling ground cover, in rock gardens, or for cascading down walls during the summer months or even all year round, given that you are located in USDA zones 10 and above or where the temperature is consistently maintained at 60 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. Otherwise, it’s better to grow this succulent in a pot or container where you can easily carry it indoors as soon as the temperature starts to drop for protection.
2. GROWING STRING OF HEARTS INDOORS
Additionally, like any other succulents, too much sunlight can cause the leaves of String of Hearts to scorch (browning or crispy leaves, dry leaf-edges, stunted growth), and lack of exposure, on the other hand, will cause issues like discoloration or overwatering. So if you plan to grow yours outdoors, make sure to put it in a spot where this plant can get at least 3 to 4 hours of bright, indirect sunlight and some shade in the afternoon. Also, remember to gradually acclimate it first to stronger light when moving this plant from indoors to outdoors during the summer to prevent sunburn.
GENERAL CARE
1. LIGHT AND TEMPERATURE
The String of Hearts plant likes heat and bright light but doesn’t tolerate direct sunlight.
So if you plan to grow your String of Hearts as an indoor houseplant, make sure to place it near the brightest window possible (South or West facing windows is highly recommended), and keep the temperature at 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and 60 degrees Fahrenheit during winterᴛι̇ɱe. If grown outdoors, the plant should be placed in a bright, shaded area.
In case you are not sure whether your String of Hearts is getting all the light it needs, one easy way to tell is through its leaves. If you see that the leaves are starting to become pale in color (with less marbling), and at the same ᴛι̇ɱe, wider apart than it normally should, then better transfer the plant to a brighter spot to supplement its lighting needs.
In addition to that, it is important to rotate the plant as well from ᴛι̇ɱe to ᴛι̇ɱe. This will ensure that all sides of your String of Hearts will get a balanced amount of sunlight and that all sides will have an even color.
2. WATER
Since the Chain of Hearts has a succulent-like nature, root rot is most likely to happen, especially when left sitting in wet soil for too long. This, however, can be prevented by giving this plant a good soak of water once a week or whenever the top 2 to 3 inches of the soil is completely dry during its growing season, which happens in Spring and Summer. In the Autumn and Winter months, on the other hand, this succulent will go dorɱaпt, and therefore your watering should be cut back to once every 3 to 4 weeks or when the soil feels completely dry through the pot.
Another way to ensure that your String of Hearts only gets the right amount of water it needs to thrive and grow happy is by watering it from the bottom. To do this, you simply need to submerge 1/4th of the pot in a container filled with water for about 10 minutes. And remember to allow for the water to drain before putting the plant back in its place to avoid root rot.
Also, one way to help you determine whether it’s ᴛι̇ɱe to give your Chain of Hearts a good soak of water is through its leaves. If you feel that they are firm to the touch, then your succulent doesn’t need to be watered for a while more. However, if the leaves feel soft as you gently squeeze them and can easily bend, then it’s ᴛι̇ɱe to give it a thorough watering.
3. HUMIDITY
Although String of Hearts is a succulent that can be kept in drier areas that most plants may not tolerate as much, it’s better to place them where they can enjoy about 40 to 50% humidity.
4. FERTILIZER
String of Hearts only need infrequent fertilizers and half-diluted fertilizers. They can be fed at most once a month during their active growth period in May – August. They don’t need any fertilizer during winter, their dorɱaпt period.
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3. String of Dolphin
String of Dolphin, whose scientific name is Senecio Peregrinus, might be the cutest succulent in existence. It’s a rare animal-like variety that develops some beautiful curvy leaves, which perfectly resemble a pod of little jumping Dolphins. And like other “String of” plants such as hearts, bananas, turtles, and pearls, String of Dolphins is a cross-pollination of Senecio Rowleyanus (String of Pearls) and Senecio Articulatus (hot dog cactus). It can grow up to 3 ft long and 15 cm (6 inches) tall, which makes it look great spilling out of a hanging basket or trickling down over bookshelves or even on the edge of a stair rail.
GENERAL CARE
1. LIGHT REQUIREMENTS
Like String of Pearls, the String of Dolphins may easily get sunburned when exposed to too much sun. They are not heat-loving succulent so don’t give them direct sunlight when it is getting too hot. If you want to place them together with your other plant collections outside, place them in a shaded spot where they will get indirect or filtered sunlight all day. They are often grown in zone 10 so they are not cold-hardy either.
However, if growing them as a houseplant, you should place them in a south-facing window where they can get at least 6 hours of morning sunlight per day. You may also put them under a T-5 fluorescent or LED Grow Light if needed during winter.
2. IDEAL TEMPERATURE
Unlike other succulents, String of Dolphins loves cool air and can withstand temperature as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit during winter. In the summer months or during their growing season, it is ideal for them to have around 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, keep in mind that the String of Dolphins are “soft succulent” meaning, they will not survive a hard frost. So if the temperature in your area gets colder than 30 degrees Fahrenheit, it is advisable to plant them in a container where they can easily be transferred inside.
3. SOIL & POT REQUIREMENTS
Like most succulents, the String of Dolphins can rot if overwatered. Therefore, choosing a well-draining soil like a cactus/succulent mix and plant them in a container that has drainage holes in the bottom.
On top of that, Dolphins thrive well in a little crowded conditions, so make sure to use a container only a bit larger than them.
4. WATERING NEEDS
Unlike some rare succulents that can get super tricking with watering, it is pretty easy to water String of Dolphin. The best way to do this is by giving them a good soak of water until it runs out the pot’s drainage hole, and allowing the soil to dry completely in between waterings. Do this once per week during their growing seasons (which usually happens in Spring to early Fall) and once per month during their dorɱaпt period every winter. You can adjust watering schedule to meet each individual plant’s needs based on your specific area conditions.
5. UNDERWATERED AND OVERWATERED STRING OF DOLPHINS
Compared to other Senecio like String of pearls, String of Dolphins prefers a bit more watering, which mostly makes them suffer from being under-watered.
So keep in mind to always check their leaves for a sign to help you determine if they lack watering or not.
When you see signs like dull, deflated and dry leaves, that implies that your Dolphin is underwater. On the other hand, if you see squishy, yellow or transparent leaves, it means your Dolphin is getting more water than needed.
6. FERTILIZING NEEDS
String of Dolphins doesn’t need much fertilizer, as over-fertilizing it may result in losing its iconic jumping dolphin look. It is best to feed them only once or twice a year at the beginning of spring and when they start to bloom.
7. DORɱaпCY
The String of Dolphins goes dorɱaпt in the winter season and therefore would require cooler temps, around 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and far less watering during this ᴛι̇ɱe. With that in mind, your watering should be cut back to only once a month to keep this succulent grow happy and healthy.
HOW TO MAKE STRING OF DOLPHINS BLOOM?
Once a String of Dolphins matures, small clusters of dainty and white flowers with cinnamon-like fragrance along this succulent vine may develop during the spring to early summer months. And the quality of the flowers it displays largely depends on the care it receives during its previous winter dorɱaпcy. helping you achieve this, here are the few things you can try to encourage your String of Dolphins to bloom:
Starting from late autumn to early spring, reduce the temperature this plant gets down to around 59 Fahrenheit.
Ensuring that the soil is dry out completely in between irrigation thoroughly.
Providing 2 to 3 hours of off-peak direct sunlight with little fertilization from late autumn to early spring to ensure a good dorɱaпcy.
Keeping this succulent slightly root-bound.
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4. String of Turtles
String of Turtles, or Peperomia prostrata, is a unique and incredibly rare type of succulent from Brazil. Often called turtle strings, the plant’s small, circular leaves give a unique feel to any home. Unlike other succulents, String of Turtles has a relatively slow growth rate– it takes roughly five years to reach full maturity– making them great for apartments and smaller homes. A good fit for any home jungle, follow this care guide to make your String of Turtles grow happy and healthy:
GENERAL CARE
String of Turtles is a unique mix of succulents and tropical plants in terms of care needs. While it does require ɱaпy of the same succulent care tips, not all of them are best suited for this delicate plant.
String of Turtles work best indoors, and they love bright, indirect sunlight. Like most plants that thrive on indirect sunlight, keeping your turtle string in full sun will damage leaves and cause discoloration. Be sure to find a spot for your turtles to stay in because they don’t like to move! It may take a while for them to adjust to a new location.
2. Soil
Soil-wise, you’ll need to keep your soil relatively acidic: the best way to do so is by making your own soil mixture using succulent soil, organic matter (like peat, coir, or compost), and inorganic matter (small bits of pumice, gravel, or crushed granite). Try to avoid using premade succulent soil mixtures, and instead consider using mostly peat in your soil– this will help keep your soil acidic for the plant. Don’t forget to check your soil’s pH levels regularly!
3. Repotting
Since the string of turtles has such a long growth period, it may take years for it to reach its full size. Still, repotting your turtles by replacing the soil and fertilizer about once a year at the beginning of the growing season can help the succulents stay happy and healthy. When you replace the soil, check to see if any of your turtles’ roots are too big for the pot– then you can replace the pot as needed. When you repot your string of turtles, be sure to choose a pot that is at least 10% larger in volume than the plant itself. If you need to get yourself a bigger pot, always take your plant’s measurements beforehand!
4. Preferred Environment
Unlike most succulents, string of turtles prefer cooler temperatures instead of the warmth most succulent fans have come to know and love. Ideally, try to keep your home between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity-wise, it’s good to keep things humid but to avoid any water residue on your leaves. In winter months, dry seasons, or when the heater’s on, consider running a humidifier nearby on a low setting to keep a constant, stable humidity.
5. Watering
Moist conditions are best for your string of turtles, and between waterings, you’ll need to give the soil some ᴛι̇ɱe to dry. Keep the soil moist during the growing season, and do not water again until the top two inches of soil are dry. To ensure your turtles get plenty of water, consider bottom-watering them, especially in the winter. If you need an extra hand with watering, use a moisture meter to help determine when you should water your succulents.
6. Fertilizer
It’s always good to fertilize your succulents, and the same goes for your string of turtles! Fertilizing during the growing season will help your string of turtles hold its patterned leaves and stay vibrant throughout the off-season as well. For fertilizer, it is best to look for your traditional houseplant fertilizer (not succulent fertilizer) and dilute it in a 50/50 mixture.
COMMON PESTS AND DISEASES
Like most houseplants, string of turtles can contract the usual pests: spider mites, whiteflies, mealybugs, and fungus from overwatering. However, like most Peperomia plants, it isn’t particularly susceptible to any one illness or pest. Instead, its finicky nature may be the cause of any yellowing, discoloration, slow growth, or leaf loss. You may also find your turtle string losing its pattern from underwatering, overwatering, or not having enough nutrients in your soil. Although turtle strings are hardy, they do need attention!
TOXICITY
String of turtles is safe for most pets, although like all plants, it doesn’t like being eaten! When choosing your turtles’ home, keep it out of reach from pets, small children, and direct sunlight for the best growing results.
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5. Donkey tail succulent
If you have a Donkey’s tail in your succulents’ collection, you will agree that it is a tricky plant to grow, especially indoors. While it belongs to a sturdy sedum family, this succulent is fragile and quick to drop its leaves.
Also known as Burro’s tail, this succulent can be happy growing in the morning sunlight and sandy soil. However, it is crucial for you to know the appropriate growing conditions for donkey’s tail, so that you can provide it with the best care. Here are the ideal conditions for growing your burro’s tail.
WHAT TEMPERATURE IS IDEAL FOR DONKEY’S TAIL?
Interestingly, donkey’s tail can stay healthier outdoors all-year-round in tropical climates. However, the areas that have freezing temperatures in winter require this plant to be indoors. During the winters, make sure to keep your plant where the temperature is between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. However, room temperature is fine for these succulents in summers.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU WATER BURRO’S TAIL?
Unlike ɱaпy types of succulents, burro’s tail needs a considerable amount of water to keep the leaves attractive and plump. Soak its soil thoroughly and do not water it again until the topsoil dries out completely, especially when kept indoors because it flourishes in the well-drained container. For a more accurate measurement, stick your finger in the water and be sure that it is at least 1-inch deep around your Burro’s tail.
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Since it is a drought-resistant plant, do not overwater it or else your lovely succulent will rot out. Nevertheless, remember that mature plants need water more frequently; make sure to check the soil often. It is recommended to water your burro’s tail once in every 14 days.
However, make sure to give it a thorough drink, so that the accumulated salts from fertilizers and water will flow out of your plant pot. During the growing season when the days are warmer, water your donkey’s tail more often, i.e., after every nine days. Usually, the succulents in clay pots dry out quicker. Therefore, you should make sure that your plant gets enough water in the hot season.
HOW FREQUENT SHOULD YOU FERTILIZE SEDUM BURRO’S TAIL?
Fertilizer is not essential for your succulent, yet you may feed a diluted solution of fertilizer two ᴛι̇ɱes during its growing season. But do not feed your burro’s tail fertilizer more than once a month and avoid fertilizing it during winters.
WHAT IS THE BEST SOIL FOR DONKEY’S TAIL?
Like every other succulent, burro’s tail requires good drainage to grow healthy. Moreover, the water should be drained fast to avoid over-absorption to roots. It is better to use a soil mix that does not settle in water for long; instead, it ensures good drainage while keeping your plant damage-free.
For that, you can choose a commercial cactus mix. If not, you can make well-draining soil mixture on your own by combining the equal parts of perlite or pumice and potting soil. To make it grow healthier, cover the container with worm castings, and compost in spring.
Burro’s tail loves to bask in the partial sun or bright shade. This captivating succulent love bright light of four hours. Keep in mind that it the scorching sun will burn it; make sure to give it morning sunlight for better growth.
Furthermore, keep these hardy plants indoors at a place such as a balcony, in a sunny window, or on a patio, where it receives enough sunlight. Give your striking donkey’s tail bright light indoors during spring; it will help promote blooming. You do, however, have to make sure the pot has proper drainage to create the perfect conditions for the succulent.
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