How to Propagate String of Pearls
String of Pearls is one of the easiest houseplants to propagate. Here are three reliable methods — choose the one that fits your comfort level and available supplies.
String of Pearls is easy to propagate from stem cuttings — the plant naturally roots wherever stems touch soil.
Stem cutting in soil
* Cut a 4–6 inch strand. Remove the pearls from the bottom 2 inches of the stem, leaving them bare. Lay the cutting on top of moist succulent soil, and pin the bare section down with a bent paperclip or U-pin. Don't bury the pearls — they rot. Roots develop from the leaf nodes in 2–3 weeks. Don't water for the first week.
Stem cutting in water
* Remove pearls from the bottom 2 inches and place the bare stem section in a small container of water. Change the water weekly. Roots appear in 7–14 days. Plant in soil once roots are 1/2 inch long. Transition carefully — water-rooted cuttings need gradual adjustment to soil.
Coiling method
* For a fuller plant, coil a long strand on top of the soil in a circle, pinning it down every few inches. Each contact point develops roots, creating a full plant much faster than individual cuttings.
Propagation Tips
- ✓ Always use clean, sterilized tools to prevent infection
- ✓ Cuttings need bright indirect light — never direct sun
- ✓ Change propagation water every 5–7 days to prevent bacteria
- ✓ Be patient — rooting takes 2–6 weeks depending on the method
- ✓ Spring and summer are the best seasons for propagation