String of Pearls Plant Shriveling? Here’s What You Should Do

If you notice your String of Pearls plant shriveling, it is due to improper watering. Your succulent may not be getting enough water.

String of Pearls Plant Shriveling

Like other succulents, Senecio rowleyanus stores water in its adorable round leaves. When the plant does not receive enough water, it begins to use what is available in its leaves. So when this precious liquid begins to run out of its leaves, they begin to wrinkle.

We can compare it to drinking from a juice bag. If we continue to suck on the straw when the juice runs out, what will happen? … The juice bag will wrinkle. The same goes for succulents.

This is more common to see in less established plants. But now comes the complicated. Too much water also causes the leaves to wilt, which can add to the confusion when caring for these plants. So how can you tell if your string of pearls plant is being watered correctly?

How to Know if You are Watering your String of Pearls Plant Well

It’s up to you to know if your plant has too much or too little water. Ask yourself how often am I watering my succulent?… If you water your plant every week and its leaves start to wrinkle, the plant is probably getting too much water. The small leaves can burst from the excess water and begin to wilt and become mushy.

If you suspect this is the case with your plant, don’t worry, just reduce watering and keep the plant under observation.

A Senecio is unlikely to start wrinkling from lack of water if watered every week.

Remember to water your succulents thoroughly. Some water it often enough, but not with enough water. You should use a lot of water, enough to drain through the drainage hole. In the winter months it is good practice to reduce watering.

As a general rule, if you have the plant in an ideal place, it should be watered once or twice a week. But, this depends on where you live and the environment.

Other Common Problems with String of Pearls Plant

It is possible that you are watering your plant well, but that the water does not reach its roots. This occurs for two reasons:

• Inadequate substrate: A very compact substrate will not allow water to reach the roots. Use substrate for cacti and succulents or better yet, make your own mix.
• Tangled roots: This will not allow the roots to absorb the water the plant needs. To solve this problem, prune tangled and battered roots. Leave the widest and healthiest.

Do you grow this succulent?… Let us know in the comments.