Senecio Rowleyanus, also known as pea plant and string of pearls, is a succulent plant with almost spherical leaves that is originally from South Africa. The plant is named after the British botanist Gordon Rowley, but is most often identified in horticulture as Senecio Rowleyanus. This tender, evergreen and perennial is a daisy family that grows in the arid areas of the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
The pea on a ribbon lives from April to September at temperatures between 10 and 25 °C, where it is sunny to partially shaded. The pea plant forms its stems from weak surface roots, which reach a length of up to 90 cm. It often grows under bushes or between rocks that provide some protection from intense sunlight. For this reason, you can plant string of pearls both outdoors and at home. In this guide we have provided you with some tips and ideas for planting and caring for Senecio Rowleyanus.
Tips for planting and caring for Senecio Rowleyanus
The pea plant's pearl-like foliage hangs from the strand-like stems, hence the name. It is ideal for hanging in baskets or pots. Basically, hanging succulent plants store water in their stems or leaves. This allows them to survive during dry periods. While the round leaves of this plant store fluid, the surface area of the leaves exposed to the sun and dry air is also reduced due to their shape. This helps minimize water loss through evaporation. If you look at the leaves, you can see a small dot at their tips. These are characteristics found in some succulents. They allow light to enter the leaves and thus facilitate photosynthesis.
The string of pearls blooms mainly in summer, and its flowers are daisy-like. This itself consists of white, disc-shaped flowers with long, red stamens and bright yellow anthers on 4 cm long stems. The small flowers are not particularly showy, but have a sweet, spicy, cinnamon scent. You can usually grow the pea plant in frost-free climates as a houseplant or outdoor ornamental. It is often grown in hanging baskets to allow the trailing stems to run downward. However, you can also plant Senecio Rowleyanus in a shallow bowl. This allows the plant to maintain its growth habit that grows back in the wild.
Like other succulents, the pea plant is relatively easy to care for, requiring only light, well-drained soil andoccasional watering. As for the latter, the most common cause of string of pearls dying is root rot caused by overwatering. For this reason, let the plant grow in very well-drained soil, such as inorganic material.
Suitable planters for hanging plants
Also, use a shallow container as the plant does not form an extensive root system. So if it doesn't absorb moisture quickly, Senecio Rowleyanus is more susceptible to root rot. In this regard, clay containers are better than plastic or ceramic because the material allows evaporation through the sides, so the soil dries out more quickly.
If the pea plant dries up, you need to water it so that you let the pot dry out first. In spring, mealybugs or aphids can attack the string of pearls, but otherwise it is rather pest-resistant. The leaves are mildly poisonous, and ingestion may cause vomiting or diarrhea. The plant sap can also cause irritation or rashes on sensitive skin.
Propagate Senecio Rowleyanus by cutting 3-4 cm long stem tips and peeling off a few leaves from the bottom of the cutting. Then place them on or in moist soil and roots should develop quickly. Moisten the soil surface to prevent overflow until the roots become established. String of Pearls is perfect for growing in pots hanging behind a window in light-filled rooms. You can also grow this plant from seeds, but it is not available everywhere.
As the stems grow, the adventitious roots also grow into the soil. String of Pearls is a fast grower, and its dense, pearl-like foliage gives a matte appearance on top. No wonder this plantideal as a ground coveris. While its round foliage and trailing growth habit make it an excellent houseplant, Senecio Rowleyanus is also easy to care for.
Temperature conditions for the pea plant
Place the string of beads at average room temperatures. If the plant is placed indoors, make sure the room temperature is between 12 and 25 degrees Celsius. Ideally, the temperature range should be 20-25 °C from spring to autumn, and 12-15 °C in winter. Although the ribbon pea is heat and drought resistant, it does not tolerate cold. So make sure the temperature is never below 8 degrees. Therefore, do not hang the pea plant in a place where it will be exposed to cold air. Too fresh air can make Senecio Rowleyanus noticeable for leaf fall.
Senecio Rowleyanus's Senecio Rowleyanus
You can transplant the string of pearls again when it is rooted. You can use a 3:1 mixture of commercial potting soil and sand, or use a potting mix intended for cacti or succulents. As a drought-tolerant plant, Senecio Rowleyanus is a good choice for the desert garden. Store the pea plant in a hanging basket and let its foliage cascade over the edge of the basket. Its pearl-like leaves are beautiful to look at. In addition, there is oneminimal care requiredto keep this succulent succulent healthy.
However, amateur gardeners who wish to bring this specimen home must be aware of the fact that the string of pearls is poisonous. As mentioned above, every part of the plant is poisonous, so you should keep it out of the reach of children and pets. Similarly, ingestion can cause symptoms such as lethargy, drooling, diarrhea and vomiting in dogs and cats as well.
