HOUSEPLANTS > SENECIO
IN THIS GUIDE
SENECIO GUIDES
Some plants just have a instinctive belly laugh divisor ; something that sets them apart from the run - of - the - pulverization contenders .
Maybe it ’s the manner they front , the dish of their bloom , or even a peculiarly captivating perfume .
When it comes to Senecio ‘ String of Pearls ’ , it’sdefinitelythe way they look .
Even variegated options are available
Those cascade bead – or beads , as some people call them – are unlike anything else in the plant world .
They ’ll catch the eye of even your least heedful visitors , and will make a great addition to your home as a resultant .
Overview
PreferredNorth or East facing windowsill in summer , South or West in winter
ExposureIndoors
Height0.1 – 0.5 M
Spread0.1 – 0.5 M
PreferredFree Draining Medium
MoistureWell drain
pHNeutral
The string of ivory originally come from southwest Africa but has become popular in the UK since its introduction.1Senecio rowleyanus . ( n.d . ) . Missouri Botanical Garden . Retrieved March 23 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=277546
It ’s interesting to note that the hanging bead in the icon above do n’t hang in that elbow room in the wild .
alternatively , they spread out across the ground into a chummy mat .
String of pearls only hangs downward when it ’s kept in a pot luxuriously above the ground , and gravity can get involved .
In a intelligent industrial plant , the vines can trail to over 80 cm in length , which is really telling .
Although it may not look like it , string of pearls is a succulent .
The minuscule string of beads store water system for drier meter : a survival mechanism arise from the plant ’s raging African origins .
Like other succulent , drawing string of bone is fleshy , thick - skinned , and attractive .
Even variegated options are available
The plant life is a perennial vine and , although it looks nothing like it , is part of the daisy family .
The scientific name isSenecio rowleyanusbut , as usual , there ’s a plebeian name that rolls off the tongue much better – you ’ll most belike see the plant call up ‘ chain of Pearls ’ , but some people prefer ‘ drawing string ofBeads ‘ .
( At least there ’s arrangement that the stringy show is the most striking aspect of the flora ! )
Growing Indoors
Be warned : this works can be quite thought-provoking .
For novice gardeners , verify you ’re aware of the work involve before commit .
As a succulent , it ’s really significant not to water your string of off-white too often .
These plants have evolved to make do with minimal weewee , so saturating them too often will do more harm than salutary .
The good amount of when to water is when the soil feelscompletelydry .
String of pearls does n’t take a large pot or container as it has a pocket-sized root system .
While most plants need quad to breathe , too much space can work against chain of drop by throw it hard for the dirt to dry properly .
Hardiness
As a plant herald from arid region of Africa , twine of drop is relatively lively .
However , if you ’re read this , you ’ll belike be grow yours in a region with acompletelydifferent climate .
unluckily , this often results in UK gardeners struggling to keep their string of pearls healthy .
It ’s a finickity plant , and there are a skilful few indications that yours may not be thriving . Here ’s what to look for :
The next division give guidance on how to unspoilt care for your drawing string of pearls .
Moving Outdoors
It ’s not hard to see why a plant with African heritage wo n’t expand in British wintertime .
Our average temperatures often duck far below the bowed stringed instrument of off-white ’ ideal , and in winter they drop even further , fall below the lowest temperature the industrial plant can manage , around 0 ° C .
So , prevent your plant indoors for most of the year is the best bet .
In the summer month , though , you have the option to plow the plant to a myopic trance in the sun .
It ’s not mandatory , but if you prefer to do this , here ’s how to do it :
As you’re able to see , some forethought tips are dodgy because it reckon on the exact condition where you ’re growing .
If your twine of off-white is potential to get rained on quite a fate , take encompass it or moving it indoors briefly to protect it .
“ I have receive that shelf adjacent to windows seem to furnish enough spark whilst void scorching , ” shares Horticultural Consultant Colin Skelly .
“ They also furnish the perfect perch from whichS. rowleyanuscan lead . ”
Soil Requirements
This plant like to dry out completely between waterings , so you need to opt a ground which is contributory to this result .
Something with large particles to allow good drain , so keep an eye out for soil with sand , silt , or stiff .
Other gardener also recommend adding pumice or other ingredients to oxygenate the soil more .
Whatever stain you use , take care not to water an indoor strand of pearls until it ’s moderately much completely dried out .
Sunlight & Aspect
You want to opt a place for your Senecio that ’s not too stuffy to windows that have the Lord’s Day skin through for large chunks of the day .
North- or east - facing windows are the best bet for your string of pearls , as they ’ll give the plant light without risking burning or sun equipment casualty .
In the wintertime , when daytime hours are short , and the sunlight is less acute , you could move your drawstring of pearls closer to a south- or west - facing window .
This will ensure it receives enough sun , and the dilute vividness means the risk of burning is lowered . pee less in the colder month , too .
Keep an eye on the condition of the plant in all season and rejig the fix if it ’s not fly high .
Ongoing Care
As we ’ve said , this industrial plant can be finickity .
This segment contain a couple more charge tips for your plant life , designed to keep it in the best possible human body .
To keep your string of pearl in the best health , resist the impulse to fog it .
While some houseplants benefit from mist over , this one has evolved to survive in dry and desiccated environments .
Too much moisture can actually be counterproductive , lead to damage and molder .
you could prune withering stems to improve the overall wellness of the plant .
Prune back to a level-headed department or , if the whole theme is die , remove it completely .
Common Problems
This plant is susceptible to few pests than some other houseplant , which is a relief .
Here are the main I you need to look out for :
These sap - feeding insects love nothing more than slurping the sap rightfulness out of a plant ’s leave .
Over time this clean-handed eating can cause untold terms to a flora , so it ’s essential to be argus-eyed and get by with any plague quickly .
You ’re looking for fluffy white wax or grim sooty clay sculpture , as well as seeable signs of an unhealthy plant like droop and dying .
you could prune infect sections to see if this controls the mealybugs , but if not you may need to turn to strong tactics .
Ladybirds will wipe out mealybugs , and various pesticide are available if you ’d rather not introduce swarms of ladybirds into your home .
Aphids also fellate sap , and we have more than 500 coinage here in the UK . Yikes!2Aphids | What is an Aphid & What do they Look Like . ( n.d . ) . The RSPB . call back March 23 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/other-garden-wildlife/insects-and-other-invertebrates/beetles-and-bugs/aphid/
Aphids are seeable with the naked eye , and they also leave behind a contraband sooty mold .
As with mealybugs , a bad infestation will make itself apparent through seeable plant damage , so it ’s a case of remaining vigilant .
you could squash aphid with your fingers if you incur them , but if you ’re look for a more sustainable ( and less icky ) resolution , introduce vulture or using pesticides are your best bets .
