Discover the secrets to getting your String of Pearls to bloom beautifully. With some tricks, tweaks, and tips, let it thrive magnificently.
String of Pearls is famous for its cascading, bead-like leaves, but do you know the real magic lies in its delicate, white flowers with a soft cinnamon fragrance? But getting this succulent to bloom can be difficult because, while it grows, it might stubbornly remain flowerless.
Tricks to Bloom String of Pearls
But your String of Pearls can bloom indoors and outdoors with the right combination of stress, light, and seasonal care. Read ahead to find out what triggers flowering and how to help your plant showcase those rare, beautiful blooms.
1. Give It Plenty of Bright Light, Especially in Winter
String of Pearls loves light. And without enough light, it won’t produce flowers, no matter how well you water and fertilize it. Place it in bright indirect light for at least 6–8 hours daily; a few hours of soft morning sunlight will help boost the plant’s energy for flowering.
If indoors, use a grow light in winter. Keep the light 8–10 inches above the plant for 10–12 hours daily. If the pearls start to look spaced out or pale, that’s a sign they need stronger light.
2. Make it Experience Cooler Temperatures
String of Pearls blooms in response to seasonal change. In nature, cooler temperatures in winter trigger its flowering cycle. Place your plant in a cooler spot during winter for 4–6 weeks. Avoid extreme temperatures and never expose it to frost. Make sure to reduce watering during this period because it can lead to dormancy.
Cool temperatures and reduced watering signal them to start preparing for spring bloom and start healthy and fresh.
3. Gently Stress the Plant
Succulents bloom when they feel mildly stressed, but remember, stressed and not neglected! Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. Use a slightly smaller pot since root-bound plants bloom more. And by all means, avoid fertilizing in winter.
This controlled stress helps replicate their habitat and natural conditions, where succulents bloom to reproduce when resources become limited.
4. Use the Right Fertilizer and at the Right Time
Flowers require some special nutrients, especially phosphorus. A balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) should be used in small amounts throughout the growing season. In fact, a fertilizer high in phosphorus (such as 5-10-5) should be used at the very beginning of spring to promote the formation of floral buds.
However, fertilizing should be done only once every 4 to 6 weeks, and overfeeding should be avoided as an excess of nitrogen will result in the production of leaves instead of flowers.
5. Give It a Proper Dry Season
String of Pearls has to go through a dry and rest period in winter to flower in summer or spring. So water it only once every 3–4 weeks in winter. The soil should be kept slightly moist, not fully watered.
Also, ensure that you are using a well-draining soil such as a cactus mix and perlite. The dry season signals the plant to store energy, and the plant will later use it for flowering.
6. Provide the Right Pot and Soil Mix
Proper drainage is what makes the roots healthy, and healthy roots are what can make the plant flower. You can experiment with a soil mixture of 50% cactus soil, 30% perlite or pumice, and 20% coarse sand. The most effective way would be to use a terracotta pot that dries out moisture quicker.
7. Don’t Disturb the Plant Too Much
Changing the pot or roots when they are fragile will irritate them, and your plant will take longer to bloom. But, it is better to replant only once in a period of 2-3 years and not to move it around your house too much. A plant that has been allowed to adjust to a safe and quiet corner will grow steadily and produce buds more regularly.
Once it starts forming buds, avoid touching, repotting, or shifting it. Even a small disturbance at this stage can cause the plant to abort buds before they open.
Growing your String of Pearls to bloom is not tricky, but make sure you do it the right way! Follow the conventional routine and do it with love and warmth, and you’ll see them blooming and thriving!
