String of Dolphins Plant Profile: Succulent Info, Care & Growing Guide

String of Dolphins Plant (Senecio peregrinus) is a trailing edge succulent in the Compositae family. String of Dolphins Plant is a fascinating cross between Senecio Rowleyanus (strings of pearls) and Senecio articulates (candle-plants). Because of its cute appearance, String of Dolphins Plant have quickly become a very popular houseplant in the past few years. This String of Dolphins Plant succulent flower blooms in late spring and hangs in clusters of tiny white pink flowers with a cinnamon flavor.

String of Dolphins Plant Picture

String of Dolphins Plant Info

Botanical Name	Senecio peregrinus
Common Name	String of Dolphins Plant, dolphin plant, flying dolphins, the dolphin necklace, String of dolphin succulent
Plant Type	Succulent
Mature Size	6 inches tall
Sun Exposure	Full to partial sun
Soil Type	Well-draining, cactus/succulent soil
Soil pH	6.6-7.5
USDA hardiness zone	9b to 11b

String of Dolphins Plant Appearance

String of Dolphins Plant Form

String of Dolphins Plant is one of the "string" succulents, which grow trailing stems that can reach 1.0' to 3.0' long. In the wild, these Senecio varieties creep along as a ground cover. They also shine in a hanging pot where they can create a dense cascade of greenery. (Find more best indoor hanging plants here.)

String of Dolphins Plant Foliage

The leaves of the Dolphin Plant are fleshy, notched crescents that truly resemble dolphins. In addition to their unbelievable shape, each leaf has a translucent "leaf window". This adaptation allows sunlight to irradiate the leaf interior and helps the String of Dolphins Plant tolerate low light conditions ( Succulent Leaf Windows).

String of Dolphins Flowers

Senecio is in the Aster or Daisy family and, like daisies, string of dolphin have composite blooms made up of lots of mini flowers. The petals cluster in a sphere and form a pompom of a bloom. On top of that, the flowers have a lovely cinnamon fragrance.

String of Dolphins Plant Native Habits

These String of Dolphins Plant (botanical name Senecio peregrinus) are a result of cross-pollination between the String of Pearls succulent (Senecio Roweleyanus) and the Hot Dog cactus or Candle plant (Senecio Articulates).
This dolphin succulent can grow up to 6 inches, or 15 cm, tall while maintaining its original shape (unlike most succulents that tend to branch out or elongate their leaves as they grow).
As the vine gets longer, you’ll notice fresh little flying dolphins-shaped leaves blooming upon it. If you let it grow for long enough, you'll find a whole ocean of jumping dolphins cascading across your succulents container. String of Dolphins Plant are flowering plants that typically boast little white and pink flowers during their blooming season. You’ll notice these flowers appear during the warmer months when conditions are just right to support the process.

String of Dolphins Plant Distribution

This species was first documented by August Grisebach in 1879 as Senecio peregrinus, using the Latin word for 'dolphin' for its appearance. During the early 1990s, Charles Jeffrey revised the species into the genus of Dendrophorbium, after several morphological tests and studies. Although many believe it's actually a cultivar between the S. rowleyanus and S. articulatus, the Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew states its authenticity as a naturally-occurring species in South America.

How to Grow and Care for String of Dolphins Plant

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 plant 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 Plant (Senecio peregrinus) 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 growth and propagation.

• 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 it 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 stem 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

• Light Care

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.

• 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.

• Water Care

If you take a close look at the String of Dolphins Plant leaves, you’ll notice just how fleshy they are. A String of Dolphins Plant 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. So avoid watering it regularly. In fact, you’ll only need to water it once a week during the growing season in the springtime.

• Temperature Care

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

• Fertilizer Care

The importance of the water applies to the fertilizer the String of Dolphins Plant will have a good evelopment,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.

• 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.

Uses of String of Dolphins Plant

Grow the String of Dolphins Plant (Senecio peregrinus) as a succulent hanging, allowing the leaves to fall downward. Within a single year, the stems can reach 20″ inches. If growing as a potted plant, trim the stems to keep them at a manageable size.

String of Dolphins Plant Common Pests/Diseases

Common houseplant pests such as aphids, mealybugs, scale, and spider mites can be an issue for String of Dolphins Plant. 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 Plant (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.

String of Dolphins Plant Companion Plants

String of Dolphins Plant (Senecio peregrinus) can grow with other plants and they grow very well with them too. You can also grow them with other succulent plants if you have multiple tiny succulents. Some Companion plants grown with it are Desert Rose, Kalanchoe and Cactus etc.
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