How to Propagate String of Pearls in 4 Easy Steps

By
Alexandra Jones
Alexandra Jones headshot for The Spruce
Alexandra Jones
Alexandra Jones is an avid urban grower and Master Gardener writing about houseplants, gardening, and sustainability from her home in Philadelphia. She has 10 years of gardening experience and five years of professional writing expertise.
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Published on 02/27/23
string of pearls plant with long trailing stems in dark pot on white windowsill

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Project Overview
  • Working Time: 10 - 15 mins
  • Total Time: 3 - 4 wks
  • Skill Level: Beginner

String of pearls (Curio rowleyanus) is one of the prettiest houseplants you can grow. This succulent is known for its round, beadlike leaves and long, trailing stems that make it an excellent hanging plant.

Like its relative string of bananas, you can propagate string of pearls from stem cuttings in a few different ways: by laying cuttings stem-side down on the soil surface, planting the cut end of a stem in the soil, or rooting cuttings in water. If using either soil method, you can propagate in a fresh container or simply add cuttings to the mother plant's pot to help the plant look fuller. Here's how to propagate string of pearls.

When to Propagate String of Pearls

You'll have the most success with string of pearls propagation during spring and summer. If you take cuttings from a mature plant in fall or winter, they can still root, but the process may take longer. Propagating cuttings is a great way to stimulate growth and help a string of pearls plant look fuller, or you can start a whole new plant.

How to Grow and Care for String of Pearls Plant

String of pearls grows best in a gritty, well-draining medium. You can use a ready-made cactus or succulent soil mix, but if it seems too heavy, it's a good idea to lighten it up with a few handfuls of perlite. You can also make your own succulent mix by blending two parts potting mix with two parts coarse sand and one part perlite. If using a soil method, a terra cotta pot is ideal because it allows excess moisture to evaporate, but a plastic or ceramic pot will work in a pinch.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Propagating on Top of Soil:

  • Scissors or pruners
  • Floral pins or paper clips cut in half
  • Spray bottle

Propagating in Soil:

  • Scissors or pruners
  • Rooting hormone (optional)
  • Chopstick or pencil
  • Spray bottle

Propagating in Water:

  • Scissors or pruners
  • Small glass or jar

Materials

Propagating on Top of Soil:

  • Cactus or succulent mix
  • Small plant pot

Propagating in Soil:

  • Cactus or succulent mix
  • Small plant pot

Propagating in Water:

  • Water
  • Cactus or succulent mix
  • Small plant pot

Instructions

How to Propagate String of Pearls on Top of Soil

  1. Take the Cutting

    Examine the mother plant and choose a few healthy stems. Cut four-to-six-inch long stem ends, making the cut just below a leaf node.

  2. Fill the Pot With Soil

    Fill a small plant pot with succulent soil mix so that there's one inch between the soil surface and the top of the pot. Moisten the soil lightly.

  3. Place the Cutting on the Soil

    Lay the cutting on the soil surface so that the leaves are facing up and the stem is coming into contact with the soil. It's a good idea to affix the cuttings with floral pins or paper clips cut in half to keep the stem in contact with the soil surface.

  4. Monitor the Cutting

    Put the cutting in a warm place with bright, indirect light. Mist the soil every couple of days so that it's lightly moist. The cuttings should begin to root in three to four weeks.

How to Propagate String of Pearls in Soil

  1. Take the Cuttings

    Choose a few healthy stems from the mother plant. Make a cut below a leaf node so your cuttings are at least six inches long.

  2. Let the Cuttings Callus Over

    Strip off the leaves from the bottom three inches of each stem. Dip the cut end of each stem in rooting hormone, if using. Put the cuttings in a warm place out of direct sunlight for a day or two to allow the cut end to heal.

  3. Prepare the Pot

    Fill a small plant pot with succulent soil, leaving one inch of headspace between the soil surface and the rim of the pot. Lightly moisten the soil and use a pencil or chopstick to poke holes a few inches into the soil.

  4. Plant the Cuttings

    Plant the cuttings in the holes so that several nodes are beneath the soil surface. Pat the soil gently around the cuttings to hold them in place.

  5. Monitor the Cuttings

    Keep the cuttings in a warm place with bright, indirect light. Keep the soil slightly moist by misting or lightly watering it as needed. Cuttings should root in three to four weeks.

How to Propagate String of Pearls in Water

  1. Take the Cuttings

    Look for a few healthy stems on the mother plant. Cut four-to-six-inch stem tips, making a cut just below a leaf node. Strip away the bottom two inches of leaves.

  2. Put the Cuttings in Water

    Fill a small glass or jar about halfway with fresh, room-temperature water. Place the cuttings in the jar so the nodes on the bare end of the stem are submerged. Keep leaves above the water line.

  3. Monitor the Cuttings

    Put the cuttings in a warm place with bright, indirect light. Change the water if it gets cloudy. Cuttings should grow roots in three to four weeks.

  4. Transplant the Cuttings

    When the roots are about an inch long, the cuttings are ready to be transplanted. Plant them in a small pot of succulent soil mix.

What to Do After Propagating String of Pearls

String of pearls needs a little extra moisture than usual to root, but once rooted, you'll want to avoid overwatering. It's a good idea to let the soil dry out completely between waterings, which may mean you're only watering once or twice a month depending on the light, temperature, and time of year. Be careful not to wait so long that the leaves begin to look shriveled or dried out.

How to Propagate Succulents From Leaves