Can You Keep String Of Pearls Outside? (+How To)

If you want to move your string of pearls outside but don’t know if it would be the right decision, we are here to help you. It can be daunting to understand if the plant will do well after you relocate it outside. So, in this article, we will learn if you can put your string of pearls outside or not.

The string of pearls is an indoor plant that thrives in a warm and dry environment. However, if you live in USDA hardiness zone 9-12, you can move them outdoors from late spring to summer. A string of pearls will thrive outdoors if appropriate lighting and other conditions are provided.

It will help if you consider all the factors before you move your string of pearls outside. If you are careful of everything, you can prevent stressing the plant.

Let’s check out all the factors that we need to consider while moving your string of pearls outside.

Can string of pearls survive outside?

Most of the houseplants are accustomed to the indoor environment of the homes. So, if you plan to move the plant outside, first, you need to make sure that the plant can thrive outside.

If you move the plant outside, avoid doing it all of a sudden, as that can shock the plant. Move the plant slowly so that it can adjust.

The factors that affect the placement of the plant are temperature, lighting, humidity, etc. However, most of these factors are not in our control.

If you live in a cold region that gets freezing temperatures throughout the year, moving the string of pearls outside will not be possible as the plant will not survive.

Whether you can place the plant outside depends on the area where you live. Those living in the 10-11 zones can keep the string of pearls outside throughout summer.

But those living in 8-9 zones need to bring the plant back after few days of summer. But since the string of pearls can’t tolerate direct sunlight, it is best to place it under shade even if you move it outside.

How do you take care of a string of pearls outside?

If you can fulfill all the basic needs of your string of pearls outdoor, then there is no reason why your plants won’t thrive outdoors.

Many factors can impact the growth of the string of pearls when you move them outside. We will list some of the most crucial factors that you can’t ignore.

• Light
• Water
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Soil
• Placement

Other than these, fertilization and pests can impact the growth of the plant. Now let’s get into the details.

Light

When we are considering the health and growth of the plant, we can’t skip light as it is an essential factor.

The string of pearls requires six to eight hours of indirect sunlight when it is placed indoors.

However, the lighting conditions are different outside. The intensity of the light increases along with duration. Ensure that your string of pearls is not exposed to too much light as that will have harmful effects on its health.

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

Can String of Pearls handle full sun?

The string of pearls can be under the morning direct sunlight, but it can’t tolerate the intense, harsh sunlight of the afternoon.

The harsh afternoon sunlight can burn the leaves of the plant and make the plant dry.

So it would be best to place the plant away from direct sunlight. If you are moving the plant outdoors, you can put it under a shaded area.

Watering

Watering depends on other external conditions such as light intensity, temperature, humidity, season, etc. The water requirement of the plant changes when you bring it outside.

Stop following the watering regime that you followed when your plant was indoors.

When you place the plant outside, its water requirement increases as the water evaporates faster.

How often should I water my string of pearls outside?

Try to fix a watering routine and water the plant accordingly when it is outside.

The external conditions keep changing, so the water requirement might vary at times. You need to feel the soil and water your string of pearls if the soil feels dry.

If you don’t check the soil before watering, you might end up overwatering the plant, and that will cause root rot or attract pests. So never water the plant without checking the soil first.

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

Temperature

The houseplants prefer certain temperatures, and whenever the temperature drops down or becomes very high, the plant suffers.

When placed indoors, the plant experiences a controlled environment, and you can provide it extra heat or move it away from too much cold to keep the plant safe.

However, when placed outdoors, you will not be able to regulate the temperature, so always consider it before moving the plant outside.

What temperature can string of pearls tolerate?

The string of pearls will thrive in 60°F-70°F or above during the summer months whereas an average temperature between 50°F-60°F is suitable for these plants during winter.

Minor changes in the temperature levels will not have any impact on the plant. But if the plant is exposed to higher or lower temperatures for a prolonged period, it will suffer.

Can string of pearls survive winter outside?

The string of pearls prefers warm temperatures as it is succulent. If the temperatures drop below 50°F during winter, the plant will not tolerate it.

If you experience freezing temperatures during winter, you should bring the plant inside so that it doesn’t suffer.

Humidity

Drastic changes in the humidity can harm your string of pearls.

During the winter, the humidity levels drop along with the temperature. Therefore it becomes necessary to bring the plant in and place it in an area where it gets enough humidity, such as the bathroom or the kitchen.

The string of pearls will not face any problem as long as the humidity levels don’t go below 40%.

Soil

The string of pearls does well in well-draining soil that doesn’t hold too much water.

If you use regular soil for the string of pearls, the roots might stay wet for long as the soil might retain more water than required. It can lead to various problems such as root rot, pest infestation, etc.

You can use a good cactus or succulent mix. Else, add ingredients such as barks or perlite in the soil that will make it well-draining.

Placement

While choosing a place for your string of pearls, keep in mind that it enjoys bright and indirect light but doesn’t enjoy cold drafts.

Avoid choosing a spot where the plant will be exposed to direct sunlight, as that can burn the leaves.

Where should I place my string of pearls outside?

The string of pearls is a hanging succulent, but if you want to place it outdoors, you can hang it on the patio or beside a wall of your house. Just make sure it gets filtered light wherever you place it.

Try to keep it away from a south-facing side as that might get intense sunlight and cold drafts in winter, and both are not ideal for your string of pearls.

How to move an indoor string of pearls outside?

It is necessary to be cautious while moving the string of pearls from a controlled and comfortable environment to the outside world. But we have compiled few steps that will help you to make the transition for your plant.

1. Start slowly by moving the string of pearls outside for three to four hours every day. Make sure that it is placed under a shade and bring it inside before dark.
2. Increase the duration slowly by some hours every other day to help the plant adjust.
3. Do this for at least a week.
4. After that, place the plant under the morning sun for one or two hours. Keep it under the shade for the rest of the time.
5. Repeat this for a week, and then you can leave your plant outside throughout the day and night.
6. Check the plant thoroughly the next evening to ensure that the plant is doing well and there are no damages.
7. Ensure that the plant doesn’t have exposure to intense sunlight and check the soil before you water the plant.
8. Fertilize the plant with a well-balanced fertilizer. The plant might need more fertilizers as compared to when it was indoor.
9. Spray neem oil every month to keep the pests away.
10. Check the plant carefully on a bad weather day to understand if it has adapted to the new environment.

When to bring the string of pearls inside?

The string of pearls does well outside during the growing season such as summer, spring and early fall.

Frost and cold drafts damage the pearls of the plant so you need to bring the plant inside by late fall.

Final words

You can place the string of pearls outside if all the favorable conditions are available. But it will be best if you are slow while making the transition, as a sudden change can shock the plant.

Don’t move the plant outside if there is frost. If the plant gets frosted, it will be hard to recover it back. You should keep the plant away from cold drafts during winter. You might need to move the plant inside before winter starts.

Ensure that your string of pearls is not getting direct sunlight. Keep spraying neem oil to keep the pests away from the plant.

Water the plant whenever required, and don’t forget to fertilize it. If you follow all these, your string of pearls will do well outdoors during the growing season.

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

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