This is the succulent that will bring your imagination to the azure waves of the ocean. You may not expect that as a description of a small indoor plant, but one look at the dolphin-shaped leaves of the Senecio peregrinus and you’ll know what we mean.
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The string of dolphins or dolphin necklace, resembles a pod of jumping dolphins. It is a hybrid of the candle plant or hotdog cactus (Senecio articulatus) and the string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus). The result is a trailing succulent from the Asteraceae family that’s iconic for its shape and beauty.
Although it depends upon your environment, the string of dolphins succulent can bloom flowers around spring. They comes pink and white flowers hanging in clusters with a fragrant cinnamon scent.
The string of dolphins is relatively new to the plant and home garden scene, but it has already gained a loyal and excited following. It could be for the interesting look of the dolphin plant. It could also be for the low-maintenance needs of the string of dolphins. Or that, it is still quite rare to find this variety, so if you’re lucky enough to have the string of dolphins, you must take good care of it and flaunt it!
Wherever you fall in this category, or if you’re looking for a plant to spice up your space indoors, or expand your plant-loving knowledge, this article will help equip you to better care for your string of dolphins or Senecio Peregrinus plant better.
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Senecio Peregrinus Care Tips
What’s great about succulents, in general, is that they are low-maintenance plants to grow indoors. Provided that we understand their needs and care to provide for their ideal environment. If you’re one who tends to forget watering schedules, the string of dolphins is drought-tolerant and will happily grow in its hanging basket unbothered.
Pay attention to these key areas of gardening care and your string of dolphins senecio peregrinus will reward you with completely healthy leaves.
Light and Water Requirements
Your string of dolphins do not need direct sunlight exposure to grow. In fact, too much sun will cause the healthy leaf to burn and show black spots.
But these string succulents can not also thrive and manage in low light conditions. The best location and sun exposure for the string of dolphins is in a spot that gets bright and indirect light all day. this is often a south-facing window that gets at least 6 hours of indirect sun every day. You can supplement with grow lights to get the adequate amount of sun exposure for your string of dolphins.
The plump leaf of the string of dolphins Senecio Peregrinus can retain plenty of water for a longer period of time. That’s why it is considered a drought-tolerant succulent that does not need frequent watering.
During the active growing season of spring to fall, this succulent, however needs a bit moisture. Space out your watering every 2-3 weeks during this seasons. In the winter, when the string of dolphins go dormant, lessen your watering frequency to avoid the rotting of roots.
With the string of dolphins, it’s really important to water thoroughly and allow the soil to dry before you water again. Root rot is the number one enemy of your succulents. Once your roots start to die, there’s little chance your plants to bounce back to life.
The best way to water your string of dolphins is to use the “soak and dry” method. That very simply means to allow all of the soil to dry out before you completely water again. Don’t stress if you think they are going thirsty, they are designed to store water in the leaves and roots to survive drought.
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Potting and Soil Requirements
The string of dolphins is a rare variety of succulents. That said, it would be a shame to have one die because of the roots rotting! Don’t let that happen, dear reader. You can avoid that unfortunate event by ensuring from the start that your succulent is planted in arid, well-draining soil.
Get yourself a soil mix that will not hold on to any unnecessary water moisture. A cactus mix will also do. For well-draining soil, it should have a good combination of mineral grit like pumice, perlite, or sand.
Keep in mind that terracotta or clay pots are the most ideal pot containers for succulents. This container is porous which allows air and moisture to the sides of the pot. A terracotta or clay pot with drainage holes helps avoid overwatering and root rot.
Now, the string of dolphins does not need frequent feeding. In fact, you have to avoid adding too much fertilizer because this can change the iconic dolphin shape leaf. Instead of regular fertilizing, choose to feed a light organic fertilizer in the early spring to help boost the plant’s growth.
Apply the fertilizers, at half-strength, like liquid kelp, fish emulsion, worm compost in the spring and summer months.
Temperature and Humidity
The string of dolphins is generally not frost-tolerant plants, just like the rest of the succulents family. But they can tolerate winter temperatures as low as 4 degrees Celsius or 40 degrees Fahrenheit. But to ensure success, it is better to provide warmth for the Senecio all year round. If you are growing the string of dolphins outdoors, plant them in a container that you can easily move inside when the cold winter comes.
How To Propagate String of Dolphins
If you are in the possession of the string of dolphins and would like to share it with your friends (or if it’s the other way around and you’d like your friend to share with you), the good news is – the string of dolphins can be easily propagated from stem cuttings. Let’s check out the two methods.
Stem Cuttings Water Propagation
To propagate your Senecio string of dolphins in the water, first, identify a sturdy stem from the parent plant. Use a clean knife or sheers and cut 5 inches of the hanging leaves. Clean your cuttings.
Place the stem cuttings in a jar, ensure that no leaves are submerged with the cuttings. After a few weeks, you should expect new growth. Once there is a root system, you can then transfer the cutting into well-draining soil.
Stem Cuttings Soil Propagation
If you’re not one for water propagation, you can propagate your string of dolphins directly into the soil. These steps should help you do that.
First, find a healthy and sturdy stem. Cut about 5 inches from the parent plant and remove all the leaves from the bottom of the cutting. You don’t want your root rotting while trying to establish on the soil.
Second, place your stems on a paper towel to let dry. Wait for the wound from the cuttings to heal. Once it is dry, you can dip your stem cuttings in rooting hormone before you plant it onto the soil.
After planting to your fresh soil with good drainage, place your pot in a location that gets bright, filtered light. Wait for a few days before you start watering your plant.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are dolphin strings rare?
The Senecio peregrinus or dolphin necklace is almost impossible to find, thus, it’s quite a special variety of trailing succulents. The leaves look like jumping dolphins and are actually a hybrid of the string of pearls and candle plants.
How do you take care of a Dolphins string plant?
For the best growth of the Senecio string of dolphins, provide the necessary care you would for succulents. Do the soak and dry method for watering. Provide full sun to partial shade, and ensure that your pot has drainage holes.
How much sun does string of dolphins need?
The string of dolphins does need full to partial sunlight. Too much sunlight however can burn the leaves.
Do string of dolphins grow fast?
In ideal conditions, dolphin plants are fast-growing succulents that can grow about 50 cm a year.
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