4 Simple Ways to Multiply Your String of Pearls for Never-Ending Plants

String of pearls is a succulent vine that is typically grown as a houseplant or as an ornamental in outdoor hanging baskets. It's recognized by its charming pea-shaped leaves that grow on trailing stems, resembling a string of pearls as it cascades down the side of the container. The only downside of these trailing beauties is that they typically die within a few years. The best way to counter this is by growing new plants through propagation, which can be achieved by taking stem cuttings, layering, or division. Ahead, we're sharing the easiest, expert-approved ways to propagate string of pearls so you can keep this plant going for years to come.

When to Propagate String of Pearls

The best time to propagate string of pearls is during the growing season, which occurs from spring through summer. This is when the string of pearls plant is actively sending out new growth, says Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University.

How to Propagate String of Pearls in Soil

One of the easiest ways to propagate this plant is to pot healthy stem cuttings in soil. Follow these steps from Langelo to do so the right way.

1. Using sharp scissors or pruners, take a cutting that is about 4 to 6 inches long from a healthy stem. Let the cut end callus for a day or two.
2. Remove the bottom leaves from the first inch of the cutting. Dip the nodes in rooting hormone.
3. Fill a small container, approximately 2 to 4 inches in diameter, with a drainage hole, with a cactus or succulent soil mix.
4. In the center of the pot, make a hole in the soil deep enough to place the callused end of the cutting into the soil.
5. Water the soil thoroughly and place the container in bright, indirect light. It will take about four weeks for the cuttings to root.

How to Propagate String of Pearls in Water

String of pearls can be propagated in water, so long as you are diligent about replacing the water. Here's how Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, founder of The Houseplant Guru, advises doing it.

1. Using sharp scissors or pruners, take a cutting that is about 4 to 6 inches long from a healthy stem. Let the cut end callus for a day or two before placing it in water.
2. Remove the bottom leaves from the first inch of the cutting.
3. Fill a glass or vase with water and submerge the cutting, making sure only the stem is in the water and not the pearls. Change the water approximately once a week. 
4. Place the glass in bright, indirect light. When the roots are about an inch long, transfer the plant into a pot of moist potting mix.

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How to Propagate String of Pearls Through Layering

Layering is an easy propagation method that doesn't require taking any cuttings or waiting for calluses to form, says Steinkopf. The plant uses the energy from the mother plant while it is growing new roots. Follow this step-by-step process when attempting to propagate string of pearls through layering.

1. Fill a container with moist potting soil and place it next to your string of pearls plant.
2. Take a long stem from the parent plant and remove some of the pearls at the end of the stem.
3. Place the stem in the new container. The plant will root while still attached to the parent plant.
4. Water the soil thoroughly and place the container in bright, indirect light. It will take about four weeks for the cuttings to root.
5. In a few weeks, check if the plant is established by pulling on it lightly. If it doesn't budge, it is rooted in the soil. Once established, cut the stem away from the mother plant.

How to Propagate String of Pearls Through Division

Propagating through division is a process that involves removing the parent plant from its container and breaking it into smaller plants. Here's how Langelo says to do it.

1. Water the plant one to two days before dividing to reduce stress. This will make the pearls easier to handle.
2. Gently remove the plant from the container. The stems and pearls are delicate.
3. Wash off excess soil to adequately see the root system. Look for natural separations or clusters of stems and roots. These are the new divisions.
4. Use sharp scissors to separate the plant into smaller sections. Every section must have a stem and roots.
5. Place each division into a new container filled with fresh succulent soil. Cover all the roots and allow the pearls to lie on the surface of the soil.
6. Wait two to three days before watering to let the cuts callus over, then water lightly. Place the container in bright, indirect light.

Caring for Propagated String of Pearls

Proper care will help your cuttings grow into mature plants. Once the cuttings are in their new containers, place them in indirect sunlight and keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. "If the little pearls start to wrinkle, you know they need to be watered," says Steinkopf. "These are succulents, but you don’t want the soil to completely dry out." Aim to keep the temperature around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth, Langelo adds.