The string of pearls plant (Senecio rowleyanus) is an attractive succulent known for its unique beaded appearance. With its cascading stems of round, plump leaves, it’s gained popularity as a houseplant However, successfully growing the string of pearls requires understanding its specific needs, especially when it comes to light So how much light does this plant need to thrive?
Light Requirements for String of Pearls
In their native habitat in South Africa, string of pearls grow in very bright, arid conditions As succulents, they prefer as much sunlight as possible But when grown as houseplants, they need a balance of light to stay healthy.
Bright Indirect Light
String of pearls do best with bright, indirect light for 6-8 hours per day. This mimics the light intensity they’d receive growing under the canopy of shrubs in the desert. Place them near an east-facing window where they’ll get gentle morning sunlight filtered through a sheer curtain.
Some Direct Sun
While too much direct sun will burn the leaves, a couple hours of direct morning sunlight from an unobstructed south or west-facing window is beneficial. The modest amount helps them photosynthesize efficiently and promotes flowering.
Avoid Intense Afternoon Sun
Be cautious of intense midday and afternoon sun streaming through south or west-facing windows in summer. The direct rays will scorch the round leaves, causing sunburn. Adjust curtains as needed to diffuse the light.
Low Light Tolerance
String of pearls can survive in low light areas of the home, but they won’t thrive. Growth will slow, leaves will be smaller, and they likely won’t bloom. Give them as much sunshine as possible!
Signs Your Plant Needs More Light
Watch for these clues that indicate your string of pearls isn’t getting sufficient brightness:
- Leggy growth with sparse leaves on long stems
- Leaves leaning toward light sources
- Pale, dull pearls lacking vibrant green color
- Smaller new pearls forming
- Little to no new growth
- Plant drying out or dying back
- Soil staying soggy for weeks
Providing More Light
If your plant shows signs of insufficient light, here are some tips:
- Gradually move it to a brighter window, allowing it to acclimate.
- Try an east-facing window for gentle morning light.
- Add a sheer curtain to a south or west window to diffuse intense sunlight.
- Supplement with a broad spectrum grow light.
- In warm weather, place it outdoors in a shady spot.
Too Much Light
While string of pearls want abundant light, they can get too much. Watch for these signs:
- Sunburned pearls that are brown, red, or crispy
- Shriveling or collapsing pearls
- Sparse pale growth
- New leaves with brown spots or pale patches
- Thickened, yellowed leaves
- Purple pearls
If your plant shows signs of sun damage, move it to a shadier spot and let the damaged areas recover. Diffuse bright light with a sheer curtain.
Ideal String of Pearls Light by Location
The perfect amount of light depends on your specific growing situation:
Outdoors
When grown outside in zones 9-11, provide partial shade, especially in afternoon.
Indoors
Choose an east-facing window or diffuse south/west with curtains. Supplement with grow lights in winter.
Propagation
New cuttings need bright, indirect light to root well. Avoid direct sun while they establish.
Observe Your Plant
Get to know your string of pearls’ needs by watching it closely. Adjust the light as needed throughout the seasons. With the proper balance of sunlight, it will reward you with bountiful beaded strands!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much sun do string of pearls need outdoors?
Outdoors, string of pearls need bright light with partial shade, especially in afternoon sun. They’ll thrive with about 50% shade.
Where should I put my string of pearls plant?
An east-facing window is ideal indoors. A west or south window can work with sheer curtains to filter intense direct sun. Avoid a north window.
Can string of pearls survive in low light?
Yes, string of pearls can tolerate low light but they won’t thrive. Their growth will be stunted and minimal without enough sun.
What causes string of pearls to turn brown?
If the pearls turn brown, it’s likely sunburn from too much intense, direct light. Move the plant to a shadier spot.
How can I give my string of pearls more light?
Try moving it to an east-facing window, adding sheer curtains to filter bright light, or supplementing with an LED grow light.
Do string of pearls need direct sun?
A couple hours of gentle direct sun is beneficial, but afternoon direct sun will burn the leaves. Filter it with curtains or provide bright, indirect light.
What happens if string of pearls gets too much sun?
Too much sun can scorch the leaves, causing brown, dry areas. It can also lead to shriveled, collapsed pearls. Move to a shadier area.
Where is the best place to put a string of pearls plant?
Near an east-facing window is ideal indoors. That provides gentle morning sun filtered by a sheer curtain. Avoid hot afternoon sun.
Can I grow string of pearls in my office with no windows?
It’s possible by providing full spectrum grow lights about 6-12 inches above the plant for 12-14 hours per day. Rotate the pot periodically.
How do I know if my string of pearls needs more sunlight?
Signs it needs more light include leggy growth, dull leaves, leaning toward light, slow growth, and lack of flowers. Move it closer to a sunny window.
What direction should my string of pearls face?
Indoors, an east-facing window is best to provide morning sunlight filtered through a sheer curtain. South or west can work with curtain diffusion.
Watch for low soil
A common issue to watch out for, that can cause Pearls to struggle and slowly turn bald at the base, is when your soil level is too low, causing your pearls to be down below the edge of the pot.
The crown of your Pearls should be potted high enough so theyre the same level as the pot edge. Think falling and spilling over the edge. They shouldnt have to climb up and over. Too low down and light might not reach the crown, plus as your Pearls thicken up at the top, air flow reduces if they are down below the edge of the pot, both the reduced light and air flow can lead to the stems rotting and balding at the soil level.
Rather than fully repot though, you can carefully tip your pearls upside-down, soil and all, out onto your palm or a towel, add extra potting mix to the bottom of the pot, and carefully tip the pearls back in, now sitting higher. Dont add more soil to the top. The roots are shallow and instead of more airflow youll smother the stems.
Lemon shaped, pointy, dry String of Pearls
Happy, healthy pearls should be round and firm, with only a slight points. The window (that clear line running stem to tip) should be easily visible. If your pearls are more lemon-shaped, longer and pointer, this is a sign theyre thirsty. If the windows are hard to see, or there are indented creases running from stem to tip, thats more extreme thirst. Thats all provided the pearls are still dry, not soft and mushy.
Usually an easy fix. Give your plant a good drench asap until water drains out the bottom, then water more frequently in the future. If youre seeing lemon shaped, thirsty pearls, and the strand/s have little aerial roots visible, a handy tip is to coil the strand (still connected), around and pin it down on top of the soil, so those aerial roots can access water more easily.