Why Is My String Of Pearls Curling? (Causes+How To Fix)

The string of pearls has green leaves that resemble pearls or beads. If you don’t provide proper care for your string of pearls, you will notice leaves curling in your plant. We will discuss the causes of leaves curling in your string of pearls and how to fix it.

Overwatering and poor lighting conditions are primary causes of curly leaves in a string of pearls. Apart from that, root rot, pest infestation, and overfertilization can also lead to curling. Correct the watering regime and provide bright indirect light to fix the curling of leaves.

You need to check your string of pearls thoroughly to understand what is wrong with it. Once you identify the reason, you should not neglect it and start the treatment immediately.

If you are not aware of how to care for your string of pearls, this article can help you understand the plant’s basic requirements.

What causes curly leaves in the string of pearls?

The string of pearls requires some care and attention to thrive and remain healthy. If the plant is not getting proper care, it will give you the signs through its leaves.

If you notice that the leaves of your string of pearls have started to curl, it means that a plant is facing some issue. If you don’t identify the problem on time, the problem can get even worse.

In this article, we will understand the potential causes of leaves curling in the string of pearls and learn how to fix the same.

Watering issues

Both overwatering and under watering can lead to curled leaves in the string of pearls. 

Overwatering can be fatal for your string of pearls. A string of pearls can survive without water for some time, but overwatering damages its roots. 

If you have an overwatered plant, the soil remains wet, and so do the roots. The roots fail to function correctly and do not get enough airflow. 

Other reasons that can lead to overwatering are an improper drainage system and a large container. If you are using a large pot for your string of pearls, it will hold too much water, which will lead to an overwatered plant. 

The string of pearls can survive extreme conditions such as droughts, but neglecting its needs and not giving it water for a long period will cause problems in the plant. 

The string of pearls doesn’t need water very often, but you should not keep the plant thirsty and allow the soil to get bone dry. 

Underwatering causes brown tips on the leaves of your string of pearls and also makes the leaves curl. 

To fix the watering issues: Allow the soil to get dry before you water the plant. Make sure to use the correct sized pot with working drainage holes to let excess water flow out. 

When you have an overwatered plant, place it under indirect and bright light that will allow the soil to dry out fast to avoid retaining excess moisture. 

If you have an underwatered plant, try to come up with a watering schedule not to forget to water your plant.

Also read: How Often Should You Water String Of Pearls?

Inadequate light

Lighting affects your plant in different ways. Sufficient light will keep your plant thriving, but a lack or excess of it will lead to problems in your plant.

If you notice curled leaves and brown spots on the pearls of your string of pearls, most probably, your plant is getting too much light. 

The string of pearls does not enjoy direct sunlight for an extended period. The leaves of the plant try to move away from the direct light and curl downwards. 

If the lower pearls of your string of pearls curl upwards, it means that a plant is not getting enough light. It could happen if you place your plant in a low-light area. 

To correct lighting: If your plant is getting too much or direct light, you need to relocate it to an area that gets indirect sunlight. However, you should make the changes gradually to avoid stressing the plant. 

You can place sheer curtains on the window to filter the light if the string of pearls is placed on the window. 

Water the plant thoroughly to give it some relief. 

If low light is the problem, move your plant to a bright spot of the house that gets 6 to 8 hours of indirect light throughout the day. 

Use artificial lights house does not get enough natural light.

Note: You can trim the damaged leaves so that the plant can recover fast.

Also read: How Much Light Does String Of Pearls Need?

Overfertilization

The string of pearls can survive even without fertilizers, but fertilizers help the plant get all the required nutrients and boost its growth. 

Many plant owners make the mistake of overfeeding their plants with too much fertilizer, expecting more growth. It often leads to overfertilization. 

Overfertilizing the plants damages the roots that in turn affects the leaves. Therefore, if you notice curled leaves in your string of pearls, it might be due to too much fertilizing. 

Overfertilizing makes the plant dry and damages the roots. Roots fail to function observed water or nutrients from the soil, making the plant weak. 

If you keep overfertilizing the plant, it will eventually give up on you. 

To correct overfertilizing: String of pearls requires a light dose of fertilizer as it is a light feeder. Use a well-balanced diluted fertilizer to feed your string of pearls once or twice during the growing season.

Avoid fertilizing during the winter season as the plant remains dormant and does not use the fertilizer.

Also read: Best fertilizer for your string of pearls?

Temperature fluctuations

The string of pearls doesn’t enjoy low temperatures during the winter months. So if your string of pearls is exposed to low temperatures, the leaves lose their moisture start curling. 

During the winter months, you should keep your plant under controlled temperature levels inside the room. Consider using a furnace to increase the room temperature but don’t place your string of pearls too close to the furnace. 

If your plant is placed near a window, close the window or move it away so that it doesn’t get exposed to cold drafts.

Even warm temperatures can make the leaves of your string of pearls curl. If a plant is exposed to too much heat, evaporation of water will happen faster, and the leaves will not be able to retain moisture.

You should always keep a check on the temperature levels in the room. Try to keep your string of pearls under average temperatures. Ensure that the plant doesn’t get shocked due to a sudden rise or fall in the temperature.

Also read: How to care for a string of pearls during winter?

Pest infestation

Pests can cause various problems in your plants. The pests that can attack your string of pearls are mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, etc.

Pests can come from other plants or if you have an overwatered plant.

Pests feed on the sap of your string of pearls and suck out all the nutrition from the plant. Since the plant does not get enough nutrition, it becomes weak. The leaves lose their health and curl up.

If your string of pearls is pest infested, isolate the plant and prune all the damaged areas.

Wash the string of pearls thoroughly to get rid of as many as possible. Spray neem oil solution on the plant for two weeks.

You can spray neem oil solution on your string of pearls once every month to prevent further pest infestation.

Also read: Do String Of Pearls Attract Bugs? How to deal with them?

Root rot

If you overwater your string of pearls for a long time, it often leads to root rot. 

Overwatering keeps the soil wet for too long. The soil retains too much moisture, which affects the roots. 

The roots become mushy and brown instead of white and crispy. That’s when you know that your plant is suffering from root rot. 

Other signs of root rot include yellow leaves, curled leaves, and brown stems. 

To fix root rot, you need to repot your string of pearls. You can do that by taking it out of its current pot and washing the roots to get rid of the soil on it. 

Use a pair of sterilized scissors to cut the damaged roots. Also, prune all the damaged leaves or stems. 

Take a new pot and ensure that it has suitable drainage holes. Fill the pot with well-draining soil that is ideal for succulents. Put the plant in the pot and add soil from all sides.

Gently pat the soil so that no air pockets remain in it. After repotting the plant, water it thoroughly. It will help the plant adjust and not get stressed.

Place your plant in a bright area and make sure it has good air circulation around it.

Also read: Root rot in a string of pearls:-Signs, causes & Fix

How to prevent curly leaves in a string of pearls?

The curling of leaves might not be deadly, but it can harm the plant. 

If we take proper care of our plant, it is unlikely that it will have a problem. 

You need to identify what is going wrong with your string of pearls if you see curly leaves on it. 

The following steps will help you to take better care of your string of pearls. 

• Don’t expose your string of pearls to temperature fluctuations. Try to maintain the temperature levels to at least 50-60°F.
• Ensure that your string of pearls is getting sufficient light throughout the day.
• If you want to prevent pests from attacking your plant, use organic measures such as spraying neem oil on the plant every month. 
• You can prune your string of pearls whenever the stems grow too long. It will encourage new growth in the plant. 
• If the cuttings are healthy, you can propagate them to make your plant bushy or get a new plant out of it. 
• Keep the string of us away from the window during the winter months to save it from the cold drafts. 
• Water the plant thoroughly when you find the soil dry. 
• Fertilize your string of pearls once or twice during the growing season to provide sufficient nutrition for new growth.
• Avoid fertilizing during winter as the plant will not use the fertilizers during the dormant period.

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Ref: Wikipedia, Missouri Botanical Garden, University of Wisconsin.