Are you wondering why your String of Pearls isn’t trailing? Here is the secret to longer vine growth for your cascading beauty!
It seems that with the right care and maintenance, the String of Pearls grows quickly and its stems can grow up to 15 inches per year and stretch over 3 feet long! So, if yours aren’t growing likewise, here is a guide on why your String of Pearls isn’t trailing and how to fix this. Read along!
Why Your String of Pearls Isn’t Trailing – The Secret to Longer Vines
1. Proper Lighting Conditions – The Top Priority!
One thing that matters the most is bright indirect light for String of Pearls to thrive. Here is the logic—it has round foliage that cannot absorb much light like flat leaves, which is why they need more time under the light.
However, make sure to avoid the harsh afternoon sun rays because they will damage the delicate foliage.
Try this hack: During the long summer season, place it near a windowsill facing east or west and a south-east facing one in the winter.
2. Beat Watering Issues
This trailing plant has a fragile surface root system, which is very prone to root rot due to overwatering issues. For this, you need to water very sparingly during the growing season and very rarely in the dormant season.
Because providing a rest period during the winter with temperatures (55°F-60°F) and dry conditions may promote blooming in summer. The best way is to see if the foliage has shriveled, which means that your plant is thirsty. Use a spray bottle to water or pour water carefully to avoid damaging the leaves.
Tip: Allow the potting medium to dry out completely between waterings
3. Keep An Eye On The Drainage
Let’s talk about the pot and the potting mixture! This is directly related to the above pointer. As it has surface roots, only use a shallow pot and choose a cactus potting mixture with lots of inorganic materials like small pea gravel, sharp sand, poultry grit, or pumice stone.
Pots made of clay or terracotta work best to overcome overwatering issues, topped up with a well-draining medium to quickly remove excess moisture.
4. Pruning And Propagation
The role of pruning helps the plant to produce more new growth like new stems and leaves, making it look bushier. Additionally, it will give you the chance to grow more new “Strings” separately for a bigger trailing family.
The trick is that the more you prune a plant, the more energy it generates for further new growth and development.
5. Feed With Nutrients In The Spring
Nutrient balancing is the key! The need is most in the spring-summer season because that is when these plants grow actively. Feeding will help them support their metabolism to produce and develop more. Otherwise, the growth will slow down if there is a lack of energy and nutrients.
6. Repotting
The medium actually happens to lose all the nutrients over time as the plant continuously absorbs everything in it. So, after a year or two, your plant might need a new potting mix enriched with all the nutrients to continue growing.
If you are seeing growth that seems slower, leggy, stunted, or has fewer leaves on the stems then it is an indication that your plant lacks nutrients. So, change the soil every one or two years.
As you know the secrets now, so are you ready to start your trailing garden now? Well, if still in doubt feel free to write to us in the comments section below made for gardening enthusiasts just like you.
