String of Dolphins Plant (Senecio Peregrinus) Care & Propagation Guide

The botanical name String of Dolphins is Senecio Peregrinus. String of Dolphins is a beautiful succulent. True to its name, this trailing succulent has a series of fleshy leaves that look like little leaping dolphins. Because String of Dolphins plants is trailing succulents, they are well suited to hanging baskets. String of Dolphins plant is a relatively low-maintenance succulent, so caring for the String of Dolphins plant is relatively easy. (Find more best indoor hanging plants here.)

Where to Grow String of Dolphins Plant

String of Dolphins plant is best grown indoors to ensure consistently warm temperatures. Position in a bright room with plenty of indirect sunlight. If you are able to grow String of Dolphins succulent outdoors, position it in full sun and move to partial shade when it's really hot. This is not a cold-hardy plant so when the temperature drops below 59° F / 15° C, move it indoors.

When to Grow String of Dolphins Plant

A string of dolphins plants are drought-resistant, therefore, can survive arid conditions. When planting, it will be excellent to do it in seasons that support sprouting. Summers and springs are favorable, though you can do it anytime as long as you provide the favorable conditions that will favor its growth. Water, sunlight, and warmth are essential for it to begin sprouting.

How to Grow String of Dolphins Plant

String of Dolphins Plant Propagation with Seeds

Fill a pot with black peat mixed with a picex in equal parts, and then add water to the substrate. Place the String of Dolphins seeds on the surface of the substrate and then cover the seeds with a thin layer of pomice or river sand. Finally, place the pot outside, in semi-shade. Water the seeds, but this time with a sprayer. If all goes well, String of Dolphins plants will germinate in 2-3 weeks.

String of Dolphins Plant Propagation with Stem Cuttings

Make sure your stem cuttings contain at least 2 to 3 nodes along their length. These nodes are extremely important because they are the points from which propagation will occur. Nodes allow new stems, leaves, and roots to grow out from them. Damaged nodes will reduce the chance of successful propagation. So, be sure you're using a stem cutting with healthy nodes on it. Having multiple nodes on one stem also improves the chances of successful string of dolphins plant growth and propagation. (Read More: How To Propagate String Of Dolphins From Stem Cuttings)

• Propagating Dolphin Plants Stem Cuttings In Soil

Stick the stem in a well-draining potting mix and give it plenty of water. Don’t worry about overwatering String of Dolphins Plant during propagation. Some gardener friends of mine have suggested using cold water to start the growing process of the roots. When the topsoil has dried out, give the succulents a moderate amount of freshwater. Keep doing this through the next 2 to 3 weeks after propagation. The soil must be fully soaked from the bottom to aid growth.

• Propagating Dolphin Plants Stem Cuttings In Water

If you’re growing your String of Dolphins Plant in water, use clean water that has a pH of around 7.0. Tap water should be fine, but it cannot deviate by a pH of 0.5; any more than that and your stem cuttings or leaf cuttings will have difficulties rooting.

How to Care for String of Dolphins Plant

String of Dolphins Plant Light Requirements

Make sure the gets enough light. A healthy amount of sunlight will help keep it growing. However, it also runs the risk of getting sunburnt if it gets too much light. It’s best if you place them in an area that will allow them some indirect light. String of Dolphins plants don't mind the shade but should not be kept in extremely dimly lit conditions, or else it'll lose its color, and String Of Dolphins will become Shriveling.
They require at least 6 hours of sunlight each day preferably by a sunny window with indirect light.  We recommend picking a south-facing window. If you feel like your String of Dolphins (Senecio peregrinus) won't get enough sun during the winters, go ahead and place your String of Dolphins plants under T-5 fluorescent grow lights or LED grow lights.
Read More:
How Much Light Does String of Dolphins Need?

String of Dolphins Plant Soil Care

As with most succulents, a string of dolphins plant requires arid, well-draining soil. Commercially available cactus/succulent mixes are fine for this String of Dolphins plant, but you can also make your own mix at home. Simply combine 2 parts potting soil, 1 part pumice or perlite, and 1 part sand.

String of Dolphins Plant Watering

If you take a close look at the String of Dolphins leaves, you'll notice just how fleshy they are. A String of Dolphins with fleshy leaves is excellent at retaining moisture, making them drought-tolerant and ideal for growth in warm conditions. Your String of Dolphins plant won't need much watering, because it may cause String Of Dolphins Flat Leaves. So avoid watering it regularly. In fact, you'll only need to water it once a week during the growing season in the springtime. This frequency falls further during the dormant period (when flowers are not blooming). Be sure to allow the soil to dry thoroughly in between watering sessions. This will help you stay clear of root rot and other water-borne diseases. If your String of Dolphins plant gets too much water, its leaves may become too turgid, resulting in high turgor pressure within the succulents.
Read More:
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String of Dolphins Plant Temperature Care

Given its origin, String of Dolphins (Senecio peregrinus) prefers temperate temperatures, ideally around 20 ° C. String of Dolphins plant can withstand higher temperatures without problems but better not be below 3-6ºC.

String of Dolphins Plant Fertilizer Care

The importance of the water applies to the fertilizer the String of Dolphins plant will have a good development, if you add the fertilizer in spring and summer, with fertilizers for cacti and other succulents, following the indications specified on the product package. If the String of Dolphins plant is in a pot, add a liquid fertilizer so that the drainage is still good.

String of Dolphins Plant Pruning Care

Remove yellow or dying leaves, and plant debris to encourage better-growing conditions. While pruning, always use clean utensils or shears to reduce the chance of bacterial and fungal diseases. Never cut through yellowed tissue as this may cause further damage in the likes of diseases or bacterial infections. Remember to make clean incisions as too-damaged wounds may shock the String of Dolphins plant, causing weakened growth and a decline in health.
Read More:
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String of Dolphins Plant Pests & Diseases Care

Common houseplant pests such as aphids, mealybugs, scale, and spider mites can be an issue for string of dolphins plants. These pests are sap-suckers, and if left untreated can wreak havoc on a healthy plant. With early detection and proper treatment these common houseplant pests can easily be brought under control. These String of Dolphins (Senecio peregrinus) plants are not prone to any particular diseases, other than root rot which is caused by overwatering. If you water only when the soil is completely dry, plant it in a pot with adequate drainage holes, and use a well-draining soil mix, you shouldn’t run into any issues.

Repotting String of Dolphins Plant

Repot every three years in the spring, using a 'Cactus & Succulent' labelled potting mix and the next sized pot with adequate drainage. String of Dolphins plants are far better potbound for several years due to the heightened risk of root rot and repotting-issues (like transplant shock), so only repot if you feel it's wholly necessary - restricted root growth will also increase the chance of blooms, too. (Read More about String Of Dolphins Flower.)
Hydrate the String of Dolphins plant 24hrs before tinkering with the roots to prevent the risk of transplant shock. For those situated in a darker location, introduce an extra amount of perlite and grit into the deeper portion of the pot to downplay over-watering risks. 

String of Dolphins Plant Care FAQ

Is String of Dolphins Plant Toxic?

String of Dolphins is classified as poisonous, so if small sections are eaten, vomiting, nausea, and a loss of appetite may occur. Consumption of large quantities must be dealt with quickly; acquire medical assistance for further information.

Are String of Dolphins Plants Rare?

The senecio peregrinus or dolphin necklace is almost impossible to find, thus, it's quite a special variety of trailing succulents. The leaves look like jumping dolphins and are actually a hybrid of the string of pearls and candle plants.

Do String of Dolphins Plants Grow Fast?

In ideal conditions, String of Dolphins Plants are fast-growing succulents that can grow about 50 cm a year.

How Big Will a String of Dolphins Plant Grow?

String of Dolphins plants (Senecio peregrinus) can get a height of 6 inches, but its leaves and its vines can grow more in size. Their size is also dependent on the conditions it is grown in so there may be a difference as well.
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