A String of Pearls (Senecio Rowleyanus) is a popular houseplant from the daisy family famous with common names like the Pearl necklace, the string of beads, etc.
The charm and marvels of this plant with trailing stems will entice you and make you want more of it lingering around your house. You can also grow this beautiful plant from seeds.
Generally, to extract the seeds from the String of Pearls, wait for the flower heads to open. Do not let the seeds dry; plant them into a succulent mix. Wait a few weeks to about three months for the seeds to germinate.
Extraction and propagation of the seeds of String of Pearls can be tedious. It would be better to follow all the instructions properly to achieve success.
If you are one of the succulent lovers, let’s embark on the journey to get a brand new plant from the seeds of the String of Pearls.
Table of Contents
String of Pearls Seeds Overview
The Curio rowleyanus is a hanging plant that grows year-round and produces flowers that have a cinammon-like scent.
Before getting to what the String of Pearls seeds looks like, let us understand the type of blossoms produced by the plant.
The String of Pearls produces white, small flowers. Most of us have never seen a String of Pearl white flowers, let alone seeds!
The blossoms are followed by numerous seeds, each with a white cottony proboscis that facilitates wind diffusion.
The light and fluffy nature of the seeds enables the species to spread far and wide.
It takes approximately one month for a healthy flower to produce seed pods.
But, how can you tell if the seeds are ready to be harvested? Well, it is time for harvesting if you see that the seed pods are beginning to turn yellow and dry out.
Secondly, the seed pods appear swollen, and you can feel the seeds inside.
The pearls plant seeds look like the seeds of dandelions. Their seeds look like an open umbrella without the webbing.
Let us look at the basic overview of the String of Pearls seeds.
| Indicator | Identity |
|---|---|
| Color | Brown, Black |
| Size | 8mm x 8mm x 10mm |
| Shape | Spherical seeds with cottony pappus |
| Weight | 500 microgram |
| Blossoming Season | Summer |
| Blossom | Disc shaped flowers with anther and stamen |
| Harvest Season | First Frost |
| Growing Time | Warmer Months |
| Conducive Temperature | Around 70°F during spring and summer 50°F to 60°F during winter |
| Germination Time | Few weeks to 3 months |
How to Get String of Pearl Seeds?
The String of Pearl white flowers are extremely rare, so the flower heads must be pollinated to propagate them from seed.
After pollination, the flower head opens up as a big, light, fluffy ball that the wind can carry.
The seeds from unopened heads never germinate. However, the fluffy ones have a much better germination rate, and the seeds germinate quicker.
The String of Pearls produces seeds within the closed flower head. As the seeds mature, the flower stalk lengthens to provide a breeze for the seeds.
When the pearls plant starts flowering, the seed pod appears; you need to allow them to dry completely before opening them and removing them.
However, obtaining good, viable seeds from the String of Pearls plant is difficult. You must regularly provide the plants with utmost care to let them produce good seeds.
The String of Pearls plant flourish the most in a combination of indirect and direct sunlight, in temperatures above 70°F, with well-draining soil, and humidity about 40%.
If you live in USDA zones 9 to 12, you can place your plant outdoors all year long in the partial shade of an object or a tree.
Now, let us go over the process in detail below.
Materials for Extraction
Look below for the tools you need to gather to extract seeds from the trailing stems plant.
| Essential Equipment | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Gardening Gloves | For protection of your hands |
| Gardening Masks | To avoid any potential allergies |
| Goggles | Protection for eyes |
| Glass Container | To place the seeds |
Steps to Extract the Seeds from the String of Pearls Plant
Extracting the seeds from a String of Pearl’s pods is very straightforward. Read the steps below and find out the step-by-step instruction:
- After successful pollination, your String of Pearls will produce lightweight seeds.
- Let the succulent seeds mature and produce pappus. The plant will naturally prepare the seed for germination, and the growth of the pappus signifies that.
Each petal of the String of Pearls plant is an individual flower and can produce individual seed.
- After seeing the seeds with pappus, get a round glass container and wear protective gloves.
- Grab the seed stalk and gently shake it to gather the seeds in the container. You can also pull the seeds off using your hand.
- The seeds are extremely light and can fly away if not properly covered. Remember, your main aim is to collect as many seeds as possible.
- After you have the seeds, detach the pappus from them and keep them in a ziplock bag or an envelope and store it in a cool place.
To have a fair shot at germination, you must plant the succulent seeds as quickly as possible.
String of Pearls Seeds for Sale
The String of Pearls seeds are rare; chances are you will not find them in your local nursery or garden store.
For those who do not have a plant to harvest the seeds, below is an online store that delivers seeds of a String of Pearls plant to your doors step!
Gardenista – Delivers in 3-5 days from the day of shipping.
String of Pearls from Seed?
It is possible to grow a String of Pearls from seeds, even though it is a slow and difficult process and not so common among gardeners.
The most preferred method for the propagation of the String of Pearls is via stem cutting.
If you want to grow a String of Pearls from seeds, you must be patient because it can take up to 3 months to germinate.
It would be best to collect healthy, viable seeds, so check the seed quality to ensure successful germination.
It is challenging to grow the String of Pearls plant via seeds.
When the pods are ready, you can either sow them immediately or extract and store them in an airtight container for later use.
It is important to remember that after the seeds are one year old, their germination potential is significantly reduced.
Materials Required to Germinate String of Pearls Seeds
Collect the following items before jumping into the germination process.
| Materials Required | Purpose |
|---|---|
| String of Pearls Seeds | For germinating |
| Seed Starter Potting Mix | For growing the seeds |
| Germination Tray | Potting medium |
| Gardening Gloves | For safety |
| Plastic bag or sheet | To make mini green house, so to maintain humidity and temperature |
| 2-3 inches Pot | Organic seed starting biodegradable peat pots |
Steps to Propagate String of Pearls via Seeds
The germination rate of the String of Pearls seeds is very less compared to other succulent plants.
You need to consider the germinating process from early spring to late summer or early fall.
Follow the steps below for propagating String of Pearls plant from seeds.
Step 1: Prepare the Seeds
As mentioned above, freshly harvested seeds have a better shot at germination.
So, if you have stored the seeds for some time, it is better to soak them overnight in lukewarm water before planting them.
You can entirely skip this step and plant the dry seeds, but remember, that significantly reduces the chance of germination.
However, do not over-saturate the seeds, or you will take away their viability.
Step 2: Prepare the Potting Mix
Here comes an important part, choosing the best potting mix for your plant.
You can go for a well-draining, light, and porous succulent potting mix for better germination of the String of Pearls seeds.
It would be best to keep the soil temperature around 50-75°F to provide a proper germination environment.
Step 3: Sow the Seeds
You need to be careful in this step to ensure that the germination yields good results.
Follow the steps carefully for sowing the seeds.
- Get a germination tray ready and fill 75% of it with the recommended potting mix.
- Sprinkle the seeds over the germination soil surface and press it lightly with your thumb. Make sure they are covered in soil.
- Plant the seeds at a distance of about 1-2 inches.
- Mist the succulent soil mix with a spray bottle sparingly to make the potting mix wet.
- Maintain the plant’s high humidity by covering the tray with a plastic bag or sheet.
- Place the tray in a location with indirect, bright light and maintain the soil temperature be around 50-75°F.
- As you need to keep the tray away from direct sunlight, you may compromise its light needs. In such cases, use a grow light to fulfill its light needs.
- Germinating plants do well if you keep heating pads under them.
The seeds germinate quicker in spring/summer, making this the appropriate time to move forth with the propagation.
Step 4: Transfer Seedling
After you see the seed sprout, it is high time you consider transferring it to a pot with proper draining soil.
The seed will take from two to eight weeks to sprout, depending on the care and environment they get.
The roots will begin to grow strongly after about three months. You must now transfer the seedling to its pot.
Here are the steps to transfer the seedlings to the new pot;
- Choose a 3-inch pot or hanging baskets with good drainage holes.
- Place a few pebbles on the bottom of the pot to cover the drainage hole.
- Fill 70% of the pot with porous, airy, and proper draining potting soil.
- Take the sapling out of the succulent potting mix and place it in the center of the pot.
- Fill the remaining space with the potting soil but leave some space for future fertilizing.
- Water the plant thoroughly until it drips out of the drainage hole, and place the pot or the hanging basket in a warm location.
Step 6: Germination Care
Follow the steps below to provide optimal care to the seeds during germination.
| Care | Specification |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Maintain the temperature around 68 to 86°F. |
| Humidity | Maintain the humidity above 90%. You can use a humidifier to boost the humidity levels. |
| Light | Provide 16-18 hours of indirect bright sunlight per day. You can also use artificial lighting to fulfill the requirement. |
| Watering | Water the seedling sparingly. Lightly mist the soil if the topsoil is dry. |
Care Tips for String of Pearls After Propagation
Even after transferring the plant to a new pot, you need to take good care of it to make it a proud, big plant.
Look below for the useful tips for the String of Pearls after Propagation.
- Root development is a susceptible stage that requires plenty of energy. The tiny roots might break off if the plant is shaken or disturbed.
- Ensure to hydrate the plant, but not so much that the soil surface becomes soggy.
- Place the plant in a cool and humid location and do not move them to a brighter location until the plant is at least a few inches in length.
- Do not fertilize the plant. Ideally, it would be best to wait at least 3 to 4 months after the seed germination to fertilize your string of pearls succulents.
- Feed your String of Pearls with balanced liquid fertilizer bimonthly during its growing season. However, cut back on fertilization during winter.
- Check your String of Pearls plant regularly for signs of any pests or diseases like root rot to diagnose in time.
Watch the video for more care tips,
Conclusion
The String of Pearls is a pretty plant to have indoors. Although the propagation via seeds can get a little tedious at times, you still will be able to do it.
Now that you know how and when to propagate String of Pearls from seeds successfully, go ahead and expand your collection by growing String Pearls.
Good luck!
Do you want to read more articles about String of Pearls? Read our article about Repotting String of Pearls, their Flower, and their common problems.
