Indoor gardening is growing in popularity, and one trend that has taken off is trailing succulents. These plants add a unique touch of greenery to any space and can be trained to grow in a variety of ways. They are also low maintenance, making them a perfect choice for busy individuals or those new to indoor gardening. In this guide, we’ll explore the care needs of trailing succulents and introduce some of the most popular species such as Senecio rowleyanus ‘String of Pearls’, Ceropegia woodii ‘String of Hearts’, Senecio peregrinus ‘String of Dolphins’, Senecio radicans ‘String of Bananas’, Othonna capensis ‘Ruby Necklace’, Peperomia prostrata ‘String of Turtles’ and Sedum morganianum ‘Burro’s Tail’.
Succulent Care:
- Light requirements: Trailing succulents generally prefer bright, indirect light. If grown indoors, a south or west-facing window with sheer curtains is a great option. If the leaves start to look stretched or elongated, this is a sign that the plant is not getting enough light. On the other hand, if leaves start to turn yellow or brown, this could indicate that the plant is getting too much light.
- Increased air flow: Trailing succulents, in my experience, thrive most when they have plenty of airflow either from the wind or a fan if grown inside. Senecio varieties (pearls, bananas, dolphins, etc.) tend to suffer from root rot or overwatering if there’s not enough airflow. A lot of times in succulent Facebook groups I’ll see struggling trailing succulents and overwatering combined with a lack of air flow is usually the cause.
- Watering needs: Trailing succulents are drought-tolerant, which means they do not need to be watered frequently. To determine when to water, stick your finger into the soil, if the top inch is dry then it’s time to water. When you do water, be sure to give the plant a thorough soak. Allow the soil to dry out before watering again. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which can be fatal to the plant.
- Soil and potting recommendations: Trailing succulents prefer well-draining soil. Cactus or succulent potting mix is a good option, or you can make your own by mixing regular potting soil with coarse sand or perlite. These plants prefer to be slightly pot-bound, so choose a container that is not too much larger than the root ball of the plant.
- Tips for promoting healthy growth and trailing habit: To encourage trailing growth, you can gently guide the stems in the direction you want them to grow. Pinching the tips of the stem also helps promote branching. Additionally, fertilizing with a succulent or cactus fertilizer will provide the plant with the necessary nutrients to promote healthy growth.
Recommended Trailing Succulents:
- Senecio rowleyanus ‘String of Pearls’:
- Description: This trailing succulent is known for its unique pearl-shaped leaves that trail gracefully from its thin stem.
- Care needs: It requires bright, indirect light and infrequent watering.
- Propagation: To propagate, gently tug off a small section of stem with a few leaves attached and let it callus over before planting in well-draining soil.
- Ceropegia woodii ‘String of Hearts’:
- Description: This trailing succulent is also known as “String of Hearts” and is native to South Africa. It has small tubular leaves that resemble hearts, hanging gracefully on a thin stem.
- Care needs: It prefers bright, indirect light and infrequent watering.
- Propagation: To propagate, cut a stem with a few leaves attached and let it dry for a day or two before planting in well-draining soil.
- Senecio peregrinus ‘String of Dolphins’:
- Description: This trailing succulent is also known as “String of Dolphins” and is native to South Africa. It has small, blue-green leaves that resemble the shape of a dolphin, hanging gracefully on a thin stem.
- Care needs: It prefers bright, indirect light and infrequent watering.
- Propagation: To propagate, gently pull off a small section of stem with a few leaves attached and let it callus over before planting in well-draining soil.
- Senecio radicans ‘String of Bananas’:
- Description: This trailing succulent is also known as “String of Bananas” and is native to South Africa. It has small, banana-shaped leaves that hang gracefully on a thin stem.
- Care needs: It prefers bright, indirect light and infrequent watering.
- Propagation: To propagate, gently tug off a small section of stem with a few leaves attached and let it callus over before planting in well-draining soil.
- Othonna capensis ‘Ruby Necklace’:
- Description: This trailing succulent is also known as “Ruby Necklace” and is native to South Africa. It has small, dark green leaves that hang gracefully on a thin red stem, forming a necklace-like appearance.
- Care needs: It prefers bright, indirect light and infrequent watering.
- Propagation: To propagate, gently tug off a small section of stem with a few leaves attached and let it callus over before planting in well-draining soil.
- Peperomia prostrata ‘String of Turtles’:
- Description: This small trailing succulent has trailing stems with small, round, glossy leaves that resemble turtles. It’s a fast grower, and it forms dense mats of foliage.
- Care needs: This succulent prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate low light as well. It prefers well-draining soil, and infrequent watering. They are also sensitive to temperature and humidity, so it’s important to keep it away from drafts and ensure good ventilation.
- Propagation: This plant can be propagated from stem cuttings, or leaves. Simply take a stem cutting or a leaf cutting and let it dry for a couple of days before planting it in well-draining soil.
- Sedum morganianum ‘Burro’s Tail’:
- Description: This trailing succulent has plump, blue-green leaves that dangle from thin stems, resembling the tail of a donkey. It’s an easy to grow plant, but it’s slow-growing.
- Care needs: This plant prefers bright, indirect light, but it can tolerate low light. it prefers well-drained soil, and it needs infrequent watering. It’s sensitive to over-watering and humidity, so avoid over-watering and ensure good ventilation.
- Propagation: This plant can be propagated from stem cuttings, which should be allowed to callus over before planting in well-draining soil.
Conclusion:
Trailing succulents are a great addition to any indoor garden. They are easy to care for and can thrive in a variety of indoor environments. Trailing succulents require bright, indirect light and infrequent watering, and prefer well-draining soil. Pinching the tips of the stem and fertilizing with a succulent or cactus fertilizer will promote healthy growth and a trailing habit. Each of the species we’ve discussed in this guide has its own unique characteristics and care needs, so it’s important to research the specific needs of the species you’re interested in.
Experiment with different trailing succulents in your indoor garden and find the one that best suits your style and preferences. As always, it’s important to monitor your plants and adjust accordingly as all plants have different needs depending on the environment they are in.
To summarize:
- Trailing succulents are a great way to add greenery to indoor spaces
- They’re easy to care for and great for busy people or beginners
- Each species has different care needs and characteristics, so research the specific needs of the species you’re interested in
- Experiment with different trailing succulents to find the one that best suits your style and preferences
- Monitor your trailing succulents and adjust the care accordingly
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