How to Repot a String of Pearls

Curio rowleyanus

Reviewed by Kiersten Rankel, M.S.

Quick Answer

Repot a String of Pearls every 2 to 3 years into a shallow pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot. Use a gritty, fast-draining cactus or succulent mix. Wait about a week before the first watering so the freshly cut roots can callus over.

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How to Know It's Time to Repot

String of Pearls has a shallow, fragile root system that fills its pot slowly, so the signs of a too-small pot are subtle. Watch for these four signals.

1

Roots circle the bottom of the pot or push out through the drainage holes.
2

The plant has roughly doubled in size since you last potted it up.
3

Pearls at the base shrivel and don't plump back up after a thorough watering.
4

Soil dries out within a day or two of a thorough watering.

One sign on its own isn't enough to act on, but two or more together means it's time. Most String of Pearls need a fresh pot every 2 to 3 years, since the small root system doesn't fill a pot quickly.

The Best Time of Year to Repot

String of Pearls recovers fastest from repotting during its active growing season, when warmth and bright light help the roots reestablish. Spring through early summer is the sweet spot.

Avoid repotting in winter, when the plant is essentially dormant and the freshly cut roots are slow to callus and heal. Use the map below to pin down your window.

North

Apr – Jul

Mid

Mar – Aug

South

Feb – Sep

How to Choose a Pot and Soil Mix

Pot Size

Move up to a pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot. Look for a shallow pot rather than a deep one, since the roots only occupy the top couple of inches and extra wet soil below them invites rot.

Pot Material

Terracotta is the best choice for String of Pearls. The walls breathe, so the soil dries evenly between waterings instead of staying soggy underneath the trailing pearls.

Plastic and glazed ceramic work too, but you'll need to water less often to compensate for the slower drying. Whichever material you pick, make sure the pot has drainage holes. This plant rots fast in standing water.

Soil Mix

Mix one part standard potting soil with one part coarse perlite or pumice for the gritty, fast-draining blend String of Pearls wants. A pre-mixed cactus or succulent mix works just as well.

Skip moisture-control formulas and dense peat-heavy mixes. Both hold too much water for these delicate roots and lead to rot.

How to Repot a String of Pearls, Step by Step

1

Let the soil dry out. Stop watering a week or two before you plan to repot. Dry soil falls away from the roots cleanly and gives the freshly cut roots a chance to callus before they meet new soil. Pre-watering invites rot in this species.
2

Pick the new pot. Choose a shallow pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot, with drainage holes. Layer an inch of fresh gritty mix in the bottom so the root ball will sit at the same height it did before.
3

Lift the strands off first. Gently drape the trailing strands of pearls up over the edge of the pot, or rest them on a tray. The pearls bruise and snap easily, so handle the plant by the soil ball whenever possible.
4

Slide the plant out. Tip the pot onto its side and gently work the root ball loose. If the plant is stuck, run a butter knife around the inside edge of the pot to release it. Try not to disturb the shallow root mat.
5

Set it in the new pot. Center the plant at the same depth it was growing before, with the pearls right at the soil surface. Fill in around the sides with fresh gritty mix, pressing gently as you go to keep the plant upright.
6

Wait a week, then water. Do not water immediately. Let the freshly cut roots callus over in dry soil for about a week, then water lightly and let the soil dry out before the next drink. Watering wet wounds is the fastest way to rot this plant after a repot.

What to Expect After Repotting

Weeks 1 to 2

A few pearls may shrivel or drop as the plant adjusts. As long as the strands stay attached at the soil line, the plant is fine.

Keep the soil dry for the first week, then water lightly. Give the plant bright indirect light or a few hours of gentle morning sun, and skip fertilizer for now.

Weeks 4 to 8

New pearls forming at the tips of the strands, or fresh side shoots from the base, are the clearest signal that the plant has settled in.

Resume your normal watering rhythm of waiting until the soil is fully dry. Start half-strength succulent fertilizer once new growth is visible, and build up to full strength over the next two or three feedings.

Got More Questions?

Does String of Pearls like to be root-bound?

Somewhat. The small root system doesn't need much space, and a slightly snug pot helps prevent overwatering. Don't repot just because the pot looks small — wait until you see clear signs the roots have filled it.

Can I repot my String of Pearls right after I bring it home?

Give it two to four weeks to adjust to your home's light first, unless it's clearly root-bound or sitting in soggy nursery soil. A new environment plus a new pot at the same time is two stressors at once for a delicate succulent.

What if my pot doesn't have drainage holes?

Don't repot directly into it. String of Pearls rots fast in standing water, so plant in a nursery pot with drainage and slip that inside the decorative pot. If you want to use the decorative pot directly, drilling works for unglazed terracotta, but glazed ceramic and thin pots tend to shatter. Use a diamond bit with a slow drip of water if you try it.

Why shouldn't I water right after repotting?

The cuts on the roots need to callus over before they meet wet soil. Watering immediately is the most common way String of Pearls rots after a repot. Wait about a week, then water lightly.

Can I propagate the strands while I repot?

Yes, and it's the easiest time to do it. Snip off a few healthy strands, let the cut ends callus for a day or two, then lay them on top of fresh gritty soil in a small terracotta pot. They will root from the nodes where the pearls meet the stem.

What if my pearls are shriveling instead of plump?

Shriveled pearls usually mean the plant is thirsty or the small root system can't keep up with the strands. Check the soil first — if it's bone dry, water lightly. If it's been watered recently, the roots may have rotted and the plant needs fresh dry soil.

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About This Article

Kiersten Rankel, M.S.

Botanical Data Lead at Greg · Plant Scientist

About the Author

Kiersten Rankel holds an M.S. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from Tulane University. A certified Louisiana Master Naturalist, she has over a decade of experience in science communication, with research spanning corals, cypress trees, marsh grasses, and more. At Greg, she curates species data and verifies care recommendations against botanical research.

See Kiersten Rankel's full background on LinkedIn.

Editorial Process

Repotting guidance verified against Curio rowleyanus growth data from Greg's botanical database, cross-referenced with USDA hardiness zone data and published horticultural research.

27,603+ Greg users growing this plant

USDA hardiness zones 9a–12b

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