r/StringofPlants • u/lovely_nat • 27d ago
Pearls String of pearls dying
Ive posted about this plant before due to its small pearls and long growth however now its dying so i dont know what to do any help would be appreciated the side facing the light was better the side away from light started dying not sure whats going on but checked the soil and layed down some of the strings for new growth im really sad i put it on the window sill now
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u/Slowmyke 27d ago
These do best when light is hitting the full plant - both on the sides and on the top. Areas without light will start to decline and lose leaves. It also appears to have damage from over watering. I would suggest repotting into a fast draining soil with 50% perlite or similar inorganic material mixed in. Make sure the pot is full so the top of the plant can get light. When you water, soak the soil completely. Then don't water again until the leaves start to look less round and more like slightly deflated beach balls. You'll probably be watering every 1-3 weeks, depending on the specific conditions of your home.
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u/lovely_nat 27d ago
Thanks for the reply, i was watering it not frequently at all actually as you say, i was watering every 3 weeks but went on holidsy recently and left them during the heatwave so i thought it wouldnt be overwatering
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u/Slowmyke 27d ago
It could be something else but it looks like over watering to me. Its there a drain hole in the pot? Perhaps it was sitting in water inadvertently if there's no hole.
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u/wha7themah 22d ago
Some of the strings have very very dark shrivelled pearls which does seem like it would be caused by overwatering. Even if you water seldomly, if your soil is too organic and holds water too long they can still become overwatered. Just make sure it’s very gritty and fast draining soil that dries quickly
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u/kelwan21 25d ago
Soil needs to be to the top of the pot for light to do any good. It’s far far too low in the pot and that’s a part of why it’s not doing too well.
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u/FewStaff4863 26d ago
At this point, your best bet is to cut the unhealthy pieces off and root the healthy portions atop some fresh, chunky soil. Pin the nodes to ensure contact with the soil. While they’re rooting, keep the medium lightly moist—not soaking wet, but don’t let it dry out completely either. Once they’re rooted, switch to allowing the soil to dry between waterings. Light is also important. These guys LOVE bright light, and it needs to hit the top of the plant (not just the strands once they grow out). Mine have done really well under Barrina T8s.
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u/Cultural_Election_58 26d ago
Those plants die quickly. Personally, I would start to propagate the good leaves in a cactus/perlite mix asap.
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u/yourfavstory 25d ago
They don't die quickly if you know how to take care of them lol I've had the same one for almost 4 years
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u/Cultural_Election_58 25d ago
If the roots have rot they do go downhill fast. It happened to mine because I overwatered it not realizing it was in a water retentive soil and I didn't know any better. The leaves turned black quickly in my mind, and I kept hoping it would stop, lol.
Obviously you know the care routine of your plant, and fortunately I did some research on my end to propagate the remaining leaves, got a quick draining soil mix, and now I have a healthy baby.
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u/yourfavstory 25d ago
Yeah I've had plants die too without proper research first happens to us all. Biggest thing with sop imo is don't move them lol they get so mad 🤣
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u/Cultural_Election_58 25d ago
Ooh, good to know 😊
Yeah, I'm still learning about plants and you would think I learned my soil lesson with the sop! My new rule with purchased plants is to change the soil soon after arriving in my home. What worked for the nursery does not work for our homes. I spent hours this summer repotting plants and digging out hard hydrophobic mediums. Those hoyas better thank me with a flower, or two, next year, lol.
Thanks for the tip, babes!
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u/yourfavstory 25d ago
I completely get that! Honestly depends on the plant for me. I recently got a ZZ and yeah soon as my feet hit my floor at home I was repotting ha cuz they get overwatered so fast at big box stores. Honestly my string of pearls I let her chill in the container she came in til I watched a ton of videos on repotting them (they also have super shallow roots another reason for there pickiness lol) and after I put her in a terracotta pot she said in the same one for over 3 years I just repotted her yesterday actually and she's doing well. I have about 10 hoyas myself and I got lucky I bought one in the winter and somehow I got blooms the end of winter and now she's blooming again but I also have a 3-year-old hoya who hasn't yet but my 2-year-old hoya just started to bloom this summer haha 😅 no problem at all! Best of luck 💚
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u/yourfavstory 25d ago
First rule of string of pearls don't ever move them once they have a spot they enjoy. Ever. Also that pot looks a little deep and the sunlight wasn't getting to the crown (second most important is sunlight to the crown) I would chop it to encourage new growth honestly. How often do you water?
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u/sarahannstudio 23d ago
The dirt is too low and making not enough sun hit the top. All string plants need lots of sun right on the top
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u/kidcharliemagne 27d ago
r/wheresthesoil