String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) Propagation

The String of Pearls is a striking trailing plant – and the good news is, it's really easy to propagate. Even if you’ve never done it before, this is a great one to start with.

Want to grow more of these beauties? With just a few cuttings and a bit of patience, you’ll have new plants in no time. Here’s how to do it.

Rinse your scissors under hot water with a bit of soap. Then disinfect with alcohol to remove any bacteria or fungi. Clean tools help your cuttings stay healthy.

You can propagate String of Pearls in water or directly in soil. Both work well.

Pick your method and get everything ready before cutting.

Cut a healthy stem of at least ten centimetres. Remove the bottom pearls if needed, but make sure at least two pearls remain at the top.

You can take several cuttings at once for a fuller plant later on.

In water: Place the cuttings in a glass or vase. Remove any pearls that touch the water to avoid rot. Roots will form where you remove the pearls.

After about a month, you can pot them in soil once the roots are long enough.

In soil: Remove the bottom pearls and stick the stem into the soil. Alternatively, lay the stems flat on top of the soil. Water lightly, then let the soil dry out between waterings.

• When: best in spring or summer
• Light: bright spot out of direct sunlight
• Water: change water weekly when using the water method
• Patience: roots usually appear within a few weeks
• Tip: use several cuttings for a quick, full effect

Both methods work. Water propagation is usually quicker, but soil gives stronger roots. Choose what works best for you.

These tips are based on our own experience with propagating. All methods are tested in our plant nursery and work well for beginners too.

Want to explore more propagation tips? Check out our other step-by-step plant guides.