Why Is My String Of Pearls Losing Pearls? (+What To Do)

If you want a healthy string of pearls, you have to give it proper care. If your plant shows signs of problems, it means that the plant is not getting adequate care.

Due to lack of care, the plant might lose all its leaves. So when you see that your string of pearls is losing leaves, you need to start caring for it.

But what exactly can be wrong with your string of pearls? Why is your string of pearls losing pearls? Let’s find out!

Freezing temperature and overwatering is the primary reason why your string of pearls is losing its pearls. Pest infestations, diseases, and low lighting can also lead to the loss of leaves in a string of pearls. For quick recovery, keep the plant in a stable environment and water them adequately.

There can be several reasons due to which your string of pearls might be losing its pearls. Let’s discuss all the possible problems and its solution in this article.

Temperature fluctuations

Change in the temperature around your string of pearls is the primary reason that leads to the dropping of pearls. 

A sudden change in the temperature can stress your plant or shock it. 

Causes 

The string of pearls is sensitive to extreme temperatures. It does not appreciate freezing temperatures or sudden changes in the temperature levels. 

If your string of pearls is exposed to frequent temperature changes, the plant will start losing all its pearls. 

The string of pearls does not enjoy frost or the cold drafts of winter. Low temperatures, frost, and cold drafts can shock the plant, making it lose its pearls. 

Solution 

• Keep your string of pearls in an area where the temperature ranges between 50-60°F. 
• Avoid relocating your plant very often as it will not be able to adjust and will get stressed. 
• Move your string of pearls indoors during the winter months. If it is placed on the window, move it away from there or close the window. 
• Keep the plant away from fireplaces, furnaces, or vents. If you keep it too close, the leaves might get burnt, and the plant will become dry. 
• Try to place your string of pearls in an area that gets good airflow.

Also read: Where Should I Keep My String Of Pearls Plant?

Incorrect watering

Incorrect watering can cause various problems in your string of pearls. Overwatering and under watering both can lead to the plant losing its pearls. 

Causes 

When you overwater your string of pearls, it doesn’t do any favor to the plant. It does not help the plant grow fast. 

Overwatering damages the roots, due to which they are unable to absorb any nutrition from the soil. 

Due to overwatering, the leaves of the plant get discolored and fall off. Without treatment, the plant will have stunted growth and might even die. 

If you underwater your string of pearls, it will survive for some time, but it will start having problems soon. 

Due to lack of water, the soil will get dry, and the roots will not absorb water and nutrition from the dry soil. It will lead to a weak plant.

Along with the roots, the leaves of the plant will also become dry. A weak plant will fail to hold its leaves, so the leaves will fall off.

Solution

If you have an overwatered string of pearls, you can use the following steps to fix it. 

• Place the string of pearls under indirect sunlight to let it dry.
• Prune the damaged leaves and stems. 
• Check the roots of the plant, and repot if required. 
• Ensure that the plant has a sound drainage system that allows excess water to drain out. 
• Check the soil and water the plant only if the soil feels dry. 

You can correct underwatering with the following steps. 

• Soak the string of pearls in water for some time.
• Ensure that the excess water is draining out of the pot. 
• Place the plant under bright and indirect light and let it dry.
• Once the plant is dry, water it again and let it dry.
• Check the soil’s moisture with the moisture meter before you water the plant again.

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

Low light

The string of pearls thrives in a bright spot. It enjoys the morning’s soft and direct sunlight and indirect light for the rest of the day. It can survive low light but not for long.

Causes 

The string of pearls needs light for photosynthesis. The photosynthesis slows down due to lack of light, the plant will not have enough energy, and the leaves will eventually fall off. 

If you place your string of pearls in low light conditions, the soil will take more time to get dry and will remain wet for a more extended period. It will encourage fungal growth and invite root rot in your plant. 

All these reasons will cause a loss of leaves in your string of pearls. 

Solution 

• Find a spot for your string of pearls very it gets 6 to 8 hours of indirect sunlight every day. 
• Consider placing the plant under direct sunlight in the morning and relocate it when the light gets harsh. 
• In the winter, you can move your string of pearls outdoors for some time as it will not receive enough light indoors. 
• Avoid exposing your string of pearls to cold drafts during winter.
• If your house doesn’t have enough natural light sources, you can use artificial light sources and keep your plant under or near them. It will add sufficient light to your plant.

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

Using the wrong soil

Plants get their nutrition and water from the soil with the help of their roots. 

However, this soil loses nutrition over time as the nutrients get washed away every time you water the plant. 

Proper fertilizing can help with this and help the plant get sufficient nutrients. 

Causes

If the soil you are using for your string of pearls is not suitable, the plant will eventually face many problems. 

If you use regular potting soil for your string of pearls, it will retain more water than required. It will lead to root rot and other problems that will make your plant suffer. 

The leaves will turn yellow and fall off. 

If you are using suitable soil, the plant can still have problems if you don’t fertilize it on time. Inadequate fertilizing will lead to nutrient deficiency in the plant. 

Due to lack of nutrition, a plant will not get the energy to hold the leaves, and the leaves will lose their vigor. 

Solution

• Use a well-draining for your string of pearls, such as a cactus or succulent mix.
• You can add other ingredients to your succulent mix, such as perlite. It will allow better drainage of water. 
• Fertilize your string of pearls with a well-balanced liquid fertilizer. 
• Avoid overfeeding your string of pearls by giving it a strong dose of fertilizer. You can dilute the fertilizer to make it suitable for your string of pearls. 
• Consider watering your string of pearls before you fertilize it so that the fertilizers can get distributed evenly in the soil.

Also read: What Kind Of Soil Does String Of Pearls Need?

Pest infestation

Pest infestation in a string of pearls is uncommon but not impossible. 

Some common pests at can attack your stream of pearls are mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, etc. 

Causes 

When you have an overwatered string of pearls, the wet soil will invite pests. A damp area is ideal for pests to thrive. 

If you don’t treat the pests or don’t identify them on time, they will multiply and affect the whole plant. 

Another reason for pest infestation can be that the best came from any other plant. It can happen if you have grouped your string of pearls with other plants. 

If you have bought a new string of pearls home, it could be that the plant was infected already. Grouping it with other plants will spread the infestation. 

The pests feed on the sap of your string of pearls at make the plant weak. The leaves get discolored and fall off the plant. 

Solution 

• Whenever you bring a new plant home, avoid keeping it with other plants immediately. Keep the new plant isolated for few days and check for any problem. 
• If the pests are visible, use your hands to remove them. 
• Use neem oil to treat pest infestation. Spray diluted neem oil on your string of pearls for two weeks to kill the pests and their eggs. 
• You can use rubbing alcohol or soapy water how to kill the pests. 
• If you opt for chemical pesticides, make sure that the ingredients are not harmful to your plant.

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

Poor drainage system

If you notice the leaves of your string of pearls falling off even after watering it properly, you might need to check the drainage.

If your plant doesn’t have a proper drainage system, the water will not drain out of the pot, making the soil soggy.

Causes

When the string of pearls doesn’t have a proper drainage system, it becomes susceptible to overwatering. It doesn’t happen because you overwater the plant, but the water doesn’t have a way out of the pot. 

When the water remains in the pot, it keeps the soil moist for the most time. Moist soil damages the roots, and the plant does not get sufficient nutrients and water anymore. 

Due to a lack of nutrients, all the plant parts, including the leaves, become weak. The plant uses its leaves due to all these reasons. 

Solution 

Here are some ways to fix the drainage: 

• Stop watering until the soil dries out completely.
• Lift the pot and check the drainage holes. Ensure that the holes are not blocked.
• If the current pot does not have drainage holes, get a new pot with drainage holes and shift the plant to that pot.
• Avoid watering if the soil is wet. Never forget to check the soil moisture even if you are following a watering regime.
• Use a while raining that does not retain excess water.

Also read: Do Indoor Plants Need Drainage Holes?

Old leaves falling off

Losing leaves is not always a sign of a problem. It is natural that when the leaves become old, they fall off the plant.

Loss of old leaves and growth of new leaves is a natural process for the plants. So, you shouldn’t be worried if you notice this in your string of pearls.

Causes

If your string of pearls has falling leaves, take the lead to find out if the leaves are old. If yes, then there’s nothing wrong with your plant.

It is not unusual for the old leaves to fall off the plant. It allows the plant more space for new growth.

Therefore, do not get worried if the plant is following its natural process.

You should be worried if there is excessive loss of leaves on your string of pearls and you notice that even the young leaves are falling off.

Solution

Let the plant lose its leaves, and do not get worried about it. But do check the leaves to make sure that the leaves are old.

If you feel that there is an excessive loss of leaves, check the plant for any problem.

If you think that your plant is stressed due to some problem, try to identify and fix it.

Will the leaves of the string of pearls grow back?

The falling leaves can’t grow back on the plant again. In most cases, if you notice yellow or brown leaves on your plant, even they don’t become healthy again. 

You should not worry about the lost leaves and instead let the plant focus on the new growth of leaves. 

Some things that you can do to encourage new growth in your plant: 

• Prune the plant whenever you see any damaged leaves or stems. Don’t prune more than 30% of the leaves. 
• Provide enough light to your plant as light helps the plants with new growth.
• Fertilize the string of pearls during the growing.

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