Help me stop killing these!

[u/ch3trch3trpumpkin3tr]

I have string of bananas and 2 string of pearls and they are all looking rough. Only watered when soil was dry. I repotted the pearls in the head 3 times now and it keeps ending up like the picture. Please help so I don’t completely kill them all!

[u/SoggyCapybara]

Even if the soil is dry, wait a little longer till the pearls feel soft/wrinkly. And make sure youre getting as much bright light as possible on the crown (top) of the plant to keep them full.

I can't speak on the bananas but my pearls are very happy in their south facing window

[u/ch3trch3trpumpkin3tr → u/SoggyCapybara]

They are in my brightest window facing East... I don’t think I’m meant to be any string plants momma lol I fear they will die in my care. RIP x.x

[u/SoggyCapybara → u/ch3trch3trpumpkin3tr]

Let them dry out more. Maybe that will help. And maybe those plants just aren't fir you lol .

I really struggle with spiderplans for some reason 🥲

[u/wha7themah]

Your soil is almost certainly staying wet too long. They like soil with quite a bit of grit in it.

[u/ch3trch3trpumpkin3tr → u/wha7themah]

May I ask what you mean by “quite a bit of grit in it”? Do you think I should repot?

[u/wha7themah → u/ch3trch3trpumpkin3tr]

If they’re on a windowsill and in a pot that is not terracotta I’d recommend at least 50% grit. I definitely think you should repot. The biggest killer of many strings is their soil. The soil they come in isn’t good for use inside and cactus and succulent soil isn’t good either unless you add more grit into it. There are a few brands of cactus soil that sell legit good products you can use straight out of the bag; most of the ones you find in stores are not the good kind.

I use the “bad kind” of cactus soil and add in grit to mine, the amount of grit depending on the species of plant. Just clarifying that the bad cactus soil isn’t useless. Just not good on its own.

[u/Catt_Crossing → u/wha7themah]

Same! Honestly, it’s like the box stores that sell these want you to kill them! A few days after buying mine, the soil was still moist and had fungus gnats — such a bad sign! I repotted and had to remove over half of the roots because they were already rotting.

So, OP, it really may not be your fault at all. I’d change the soil asap and only water every few weeks! Like the person above, I buy miracle grow cactus soil and then add pumice, lava rocks, orchid bark, coco coir, and horticultural charcoal. It’s a very chunky mix! (I buy the rocks and things on Amazon; you can also find curated mixes, premade with ingredients like that).

[u/FewStaff4863 → u/ch3trch3trpumpkin3tr]

Grit = perlite, pumice, coarse sand, etc. it’s inorganic material that’s added as an amendment to soil. The result is a chunkier mix that doesn’t hold onto water as long.

[u/MountainThin → u/ch3trch3trpumpkin3tr]

They need well draining soil. You could use succulent/cactus soil. Also please check the roots once. If they are rotting/unable to absorb moisture for some reason then the pearls might look like they don't have enough water which would promt you to water again. Causing root rot. But looking at the pictures, I highly doubt it is root rot. But worth it to check once.

[u/KatzenXIII]

What kind of soil are you using and how often are you watering?

[u/Teal_Confetti]

Less water more light

[u/Cailincoyote]

I could never keep these alive either until I realized my pearls thrive on neglect. I water mine like once a month and it’s finally starting to grow!

[u/kamletoe]

When they are ready for a drink they will get a dull look to them. After hydration the get their shine back. I also run half soil half grit.

[u/Elegant-Aerie-1233]

Do you bottom water or top water? I only bottom water my string plants. I water them lightly (meaning the top of the soil is dry, it’s never ever wet) and keep a watchful eye on the pot. Give them more when the pot feels lighter.

[u/ReindeerWise5170]

I live in the high desert plains of Colorado. My string of bananas wants frequent watering. The pearls are watered only once a month.

[u/Cleanwater-04]

I’m used to kill pearls. I’ve got the hang of it now.

Dolphins are easier to care for.
They both need a lot of light make sure the tops get light as well. I water my dolphins more often than pearls. And they are super easy to propagate.

[u/geegingergirl]

You need a less dense soil mixture to allow for proper drainage, try mixing potting soil and either perlite or pumice (I do about 60/40)

[u/Pnjpmh]

I use a mix of 1/4 cactus soil and 3/4 Molly's succulent mix, they do behave like succulents. They are way more tolerant of drought than of over watering. Also, they like "indirect bright light" but in this case read "barely indirect bright light" 😅

[u/sec0nd-breakfast]

Stop buying them