5 Advanced Care Hacks for String of Pearls You Won’t Find on the Label

by The Home Growns June 13, 2025, 5:22 pm 1.3k Views

2. The Strategic Pruning Technique That Doubles Your Plant’s Fullness

A before-and-after comparison image demonstrating a key pruning and propagation technique for proper String of Pearls Care. The "before" image on the left shows a very long and leggy String of Pearls plant. The "after" image on the right shows a much fuller, more compact, and healthier plant in a hanging basket, illustrating the positive results of trimming the long strands and replanting them in the top of the pot to encourage lush growth.

I used to be terrified of cutting my String of Pearls. Like, genuinely scared I’d kill it with one wrong snip.

But here’s the thing – avoiding pruning is actually what keeps your plant looking sparse and sad. I learned this lesson when my “full” plant from the nursery turned into these long, stringy vines with huge bare patches.

Understanding String of Pearls Growth Patterns

These plants are natural trailing succulents that want to cascade and spread. In the wild, they creep along the ground, rooting at nodes and creating dense mats.

But in our homes, they just keep growing longer without getting fuller.

I watched my plant for months, wondering why it looked so… pathetic. The strands were getting longer but not bushier, and I had these weird bald spots near the base.

Turns out, String of Pearls puts all its energy into length, not density. Without intervention, you’ll end up with a few super long strands instead of that lush, full look we all want.

The “Pinch and Propagate” Game-Changer

This method literally transformed my plant from scraggly to stunning in about 6 weeks. No joke – I went from having maybe 8 strands to over 20.

The concept is simple: you pinch off healthy sections and stick them right back into the same pot. Those cuttings root quickly and fill in all the bare spots.

Here’s my exact process: I pinch off 4-6 inch sections from the longest strands. Each cutting needs at least 3-4 healthy pearls and a visible node (that little bump where roots grow).

The key is being brave enough to cut those beautiful long strands. I know it feels wrong, but trust me on this one.

Perfect Timing for Pruning Sessions

Spring is your golden window – March through May when the plant’s actively growing. I learned this the hard way after doing a major pruning session in December and watching my plant sulk for months.

During growing season, your String of Pearls is pumping out new growth and will bounce back from pruning super quickly.

I do my major pruning sessions in early April, then smaller touch-ups throughout summer.

Winter pruning? Skip it unless you’re dealing with dead or rotting sections. The plant’s dormant and won’t recover as fast.

Identifying the Perfect Cutting Points

This took me forever to figure out! You want to cut just above a node – that little bump on the strand where new roots and shoots emerge.

Look for healthy, plump pearls with no soft spots or discoloration. Avoid cutting sections that look stressed or have shriveled pearls.

I always cut with clean scissors (rubbing alcohol is your friend here) and make the cut at a slight angle. This prevents water from sitting on the cut surface and causing rot.

Pro tip: If you see aerial roots already forming on a strand, that’s prime cutting material. Those babies will root in the soil super fast.

Creating Your Home Decor Plant Collection

Here’s where it gets fun – one mother plant can easily become 5-6 full plants within a year. I’ve literally furnished my entire apartment with String of Pearls offspring.

After pinching sections for the main pot, I root extra cuttings in small pots. Just lay the cuttings on top of succulent soil and mist lightly every few days.

The rooting process takes about 2-3 weeks. You’ll see tiny white roots emerging from the nodes, and that’s when you know they’re ready to be potted up properly.

I keep some in small hanging planters, others in decorative pots on shelves. It’s like having a whole String of Pearls family throughout my space.

The best part? Friends are always asking for cuttings, and I love being the plant lady who can share the wealth.

My original $15 plant has probably generated over $200 worth of new plants. Not that I’m selling them – but you get the idea of how prolific these beauties can be with proper pruning.

Ready to master the lighting secrets that prevent those dreaded bare spots? Click “next” to discover the light rotation technique that keeps every strand of your String of Pearls growing evenly – no more lopsided, sparse-looking plants!