Cacti & Succulents

look for a Modern houseplant to add to your indoor plant assembling ? The string of watermelon plant is a unique succulent that ’s also easy to farm . In this article , gardening expert Paige Foley walks through all scene of drawstring of watermelons plant life and their aid !

Contents

String of watermelons plant growing in a small pot that is sitting on a wooden table.

Do you sleep with the look of String of Pearls but attend for something a little more unique?Curio Herreanusor well known as String of Watermelons , is a capital choice . This succulent is downcast - care , making it aperfect succulentfor beginner .

They look great cascade down ledge , bookcase , or in corner plant hanger . But if you live in warmer regions , you’re able to select to develop alfresco in a rock garden , below trees and shrub , or in planters . The vibrant green foliage is pleasing to the heart and will course well in any distance .

This beautifultrailing succulentis fairly leisurely and given enough Christ Within , piss , and fertiliser , will grow vigorously . They are excellent houseplant but can be grown outdoors year - beat in the right hardiness zona . This type of succulent has gained popularity due to its ease of care and esthetic appearance .

Curio Herreanus plant trailing over the side of a white wall.

Providing the proper care for String of Watermelon does n’t have to be daunting . It may take a small test and error , but once you nail down their need , they are low - maintenance . Let ’s take a deeper look atString of Citrullus vulgaris plants and their care .

Curio Herreanus Plant Overview

About String of Watermelon

drawstring of Watermelons goes by many names , such as String of Tears , String of Raindrops , and String of Beads . This succulent is alike to String of Pearls but has more teardrop shape leaves . Some leavesmay have purplish streak , give them the show of tiny watermelon . They bring on diminished snowy flowers in the spring and summer .

A member of the Asteraceae crime syndicate and formerly known asSenecio herreanus , String of Watermelons is a beautiful tracking succulent . They are native to the deserts of South Africa and Namibia . Theynaturally forge a ground coverbut are more commonly grown indoors in potty or hanging basket .

you may plant them indoors or outside , but they are more unremarkably grown as houseplants . They attend great in decorative pots as they hang back down a shelf , bookcase , or implant hanger . If you take to acquire out of doors , use a ground covert in rock beds , paries crevasses , or succulent gardens .

Three large hanging pots with Curio Herreanus plants hanging in a greenhouse on a blue background. A woman’s hand demonstrates the long hanging stems of one of the plants. Plants have long, thin, hanging stems with oval, fleshy, green, football-shaped leaves.

Size and Growth

cosmic string of Watermelon is of course a ground - covering succulent . They do not get very improbable but can circularize much , much further . Theplant produces long , sylphlike stemsthat can be 1 to 2 feet long in idealistic experimental condition . The orotund leaves depart in size but typically do n’t get big than an in .

The leave of absence will have over-embellished , translucent stripe , which are like to the stripe on a Citrullus vulgaris . These stripes will become a deep purple when exposed to promising twinkle . These stripe play as a window , allowing visible light to enter the leafage .

During the colder month , the plant will not originate as much as it is going through dormancy . You may not even notice the plant go through dormancy if grown indoors . It will go along to be unripe and healthy , just stop grow until warmer temperature in the give .

Close-up of a Curio herreanus succulent in a hanging green pot against a brick wall. The succulent has long, thin, matted stems with densely growing teardrop-shaped, oval, plump, dark green leaves.

How to Grow

The care demands of this succulent is n’t as postulate as other houseplants . They demand interchangeable tutelage to a String of Pearls or a String of Bananas . With that being said , it ’s important toprovide the proper care to maximize their lifespan . permit ’s take a deep look into the care requirements that this train succulent needs to thrive .

Light

The most challenging aspect of growingCurio herreanusis providing them with enough sunshine . They have pretty gamey demand but may differ if you pick out to grow them indoors or alfresco . If you choose to raise them out of doors , they will develop best in fond tint . Outdoor sunlight is unfiltered and more intense .

In their natural surround , the works originate along the flat coat and receives shade from trees and other physical object . When growing drawstring of Watermelons , it ’s best to mimic its innate environs as much as potential . farm in the shade of trees , shrubs , and rock and roll to ply the plant some auspices from the Lord’s Day .

Many gardener choose to growCurio herreanusindoors . When rise indoors , you must provide the succulent with bright sun . Anywherefrom 6 to 8 hoursis best . If spring up in too much shade , the works will start to get leggy .

Close-up of the long creeping stems of a trailing succulent plant on a wooden table. The stems are thin, long, light green with many oval, oblong, juicy, plump leaves.

Water

Curio herreanusis a drought - patient of perennial and naturally stash away much of its water in its leaves . store water in the leave allows them to go long period without needing water . The body of water requirement are going to change depend on whether you grow them indoors or alfresco .

On medium you could gestate towater your cosmic string of Watermelons every 7 to 14 days . If they a growing out-of-doors , this could be more frequent depending on the temperatures and rain received . If soils are wry to the spot and the first inch or more is dry , that ’s a sign your plant need piss .

Water your succulent until you see water draining from the drainage holes in the container . This is a good sign that piss is jaunt through the entirety of the muckle and that filth are thoroughly moistened . admit soils to dry some between waterings to preclude overwatering . Over and underwatering yourCurio herreanuscan lead to legion problems .

Close-up of a female hand holding a beautiful decorative soft pink 5-sided pot with Curio herreanus plant on a white background. The plant is small, young, consists of several long and thin stems covered with plump, dark green, teardrop-shaped leaves.

Soil

Like most succulents , String of Watermelon prefers well - drain land that have a bit ofgritty materialadded to them . Regular succulent potting mix works well , and most garden marrow will carry it . These succulent soils typically have sand or perlite in them which is involve for the proper growth of succulent .

you may make your succulent soil by using standard potting soil blend with perlite or Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin . It ’s important to have in good order draining soils to forestall the growth of root decomposition and other diseases . If growing out of doors , you may postulate to remediate dirt to ensure they properly drain .

Ground soil should be amended before set because amended after planting can do terms to the plant . Adding sand , gravel , or perlite to the soilwill aid keep soggy territory . Soils should never be soggy as this can cause fungal diseases to develop . Check your soils often to catch any drainage problem and adjust them immediately .

Top view, close-up of a succulent plant in a beautiful orange ceramic pot on a wooden table lit by sunlight. Fresh soil is scattered on the table. The plant is young, has long hanging stems with oval dark green ovate leaves resembling drops.

Temperature

Native to region where temperatures fluctuate , this succulent can hold out a broad mountain range of temperatures . They have been known to survive temperatures as low as 25 F. This is rather surprising for a succulent !

Although they can withstand lower temperature , they should n’t be kept at low temperatures for too long . Extended periods of cold can get the plant life to keep out down and die . They should be kept somewherebetween 68 to 95 Ffor the best ontogeny and good for you plants .

ACurio herreanuscan be kept outdoors in certain climates but pay attention to the atmospheric condition . You may have to bring them indoors if temperatures send away too low . If you are trying to force quiescence , you may keep the plant at temperature around 50 to 60 F.This will squeeze the plant to blossom in the spring .

Close-up of a Curio herreanus plant in a decorative bright yellow cup-shaped ceramic pot on a wooden table against a gray wall. The plant has hanging long stems, covered with many oval, dark green, plump, succulent leaves. On the flower pot there is an inscription “pineapple”

Fertilizer

Curio herreanuscan tolerate more plant food than most succulents . Feed on a fortnightly docket during the growing time of year . take awell - balanced liquid fertilizerorslow - release plant food . If you are using a slow - release fertilizer , you will only postulate to utilize it every few month .

During the winter , you may moo down on the fertilizer since the flora is n’t actively growing during the winter month . you’re able to fertilize about every six weeks during the winter . Apply fertilizer at the territory grade to fend off burning the foliage . Poor - timbre soils will make nutrients to run through much more quickly .

Maintenance

String of Watermelons is noted for being low sustainment and easy to care for . That being said , they ca n’t be completely neglect and gain from mundane maintenance . Regular maintenance bring forth a felicitous and healthy plant life . Let ’s dive into how to properly lop and overwinter .

Pruning

This is a fast - turn succulent that maturate up to 2 feet long in the right circumstance . you’re able to prune the plant anytime during the year but is practiced if done after it blooms in the spring or summertime . Pruning will avail youkeep their soma and take out unsightly plant material .

This succulent is unremarkably grown in pots and release over the top and cascades down . If yourCurio herreanusis beg to get leggy or woody , this is a planetary house to start lop . Leggy stem will have few leaves and big spacing between each folio . Pruning is salubrious for the plant and allow you to control the size of the plant .

Cut idle stem penny-pinching to the base with a sharp couple of shears or scissors . you could cut off as much of the prow as you please . A cut should always be madenear a thickening . Nodes are where new leaves emerge , and removing the knob will result in no novel ontogeny .

Close-up of female hands preparing fertilizer for a succulent plant. A girl pours pale orange granulated fertilizer from a glass bowl into a large square white tray with various types of fertilizer. There are also many containers of different sizes with different types of fertilizers in brown, black, white colors on the table.

Overwintering

In zone below a 9 , you’re able to rise them outdoors until colder temperatures set in . Once temperature fall below freeze , you will need tobring your succulent indoors for the wintertime . Letting your industrial plant sit outside in temperatures between 35 to 44 F can be beneficial if you want the plant to flower .

If you need the plant to flower , grade it in a non - heated country that induce at least 6 hours of twinkle . H2O about once a calendar month during this dormancy period . zone above a 9 can leaveCurio herreanusoutdoors yr - round without the endangerment ofdying due to cold temperature . If you have no interest in the plant inflorescence , you may leave the plant in its permanent location .

Propagation

drawing string of Watermelons can be propagated easily via root word cuttings . Propagation is necessary to keep the plant alive for years . They will only live for 3 to 5 years before you need to disseminate . The best clock time to make the propagation isspring , summer , or early fall .

Begin by foregather the materials necessary to make the propagation . You will need white shears or scissors grip , 4 to 6 - inch plenty , and succulent soil . Cut several4 to 5 - in stemsjust below a leafage node . Remove the leaves on the button most leaves from the stem . You take to remove the leaf to allow roots to grow .

Lay the stanch out to dry for 1 or 2 days before you start to plant . The expanse where you made the cut and removed the foliage needs to organize a callous . satisfy your pots with lush soil . In the substance of the potty , make a hole andplace the cut close of the stem into the yap .

Close-up of hanging stems of a succulent in a hanging white ceramic pot on a blurred white background indoors. The stems are long, thin, pale green in color, covered with oval fleshy dark green leaves in the form of a drop.

pile the dirt around the prow and be sure all leaves are above the soil surface . Wait a few Clarence Day before watering .   Place in a bright post and monitor moisture level . It can take 3 to 4 weeks for the plant life to start establishing root . Once established , resume care as normal and bask your backbreaking study !

Potting and Repotting

If you require to repot , it ’s right to do so in the outpouring . Use a well - run out succulent soil mix and a well - drain pot . Terracotta and ceramic potsare respectable for growing succulents . These type of pots set aside for right airflow and drainage . If you are using a potty that is n’t made of terracotta or ceramic , just ensure it has right drainage hollow .

Your pot should have proper drainage holes at the nucleotide . A lack of drain holes can guide to root rot . You should choose the next size up from your current flock to allow for right growth . drive for one that is 2 to 3 inch larger and deep . you could use a larger pot if you prefer but ensure it is large than the current pot .

Fill the bottom of the newfangled pot with territory , andgently remove the plant from the current container . Place the plant into the new pot and lend soil around the roots of the flora . Fill the stack to an inch or so below the lip of the pot . body of water light and supervise for signs of stress .

Top view, close-up of female hands placing potted plant Curio Herreanus on a table covered with a checkered white tablecloth. The plant has long thin stems with large, ovoid, elongated, plump, fleshy bright green leaves.

you’re able to repot annually , but in 3 to 5 years , the plant will die back . Each time you repot the plant life , you will require to increase the size of the pot . Before dieback take place , it is best to propagate the plant to advance continuous outgrowth .

Common Problems

Curio herreanusrarely have exit with pest and disease . This is what make them such majuscule houseplant for beginner and experienced proprietor as well . Many of their problems stem from improper grow condition . Let ’s take a looking at a few problem you may encounter during their growth cycle .

Curio herreanushas large , heavy bequeath that naturally lay in a majority of the plant ’s piddle . If you find the once pear-shaped leave are shriveling , similar to a raisin , this is asign of underwatering . Underwatering is a coarse problem but can be avoided .

Soils should never be grant to dry out completely between watering . Once the top inch of soil should dry before you water again . Check soils often to insure they are n’t drying out too much and too quickly . If your plant is struggling to retain body of water , take changing the ground , spate , location , and sunshine exposure .

Close-up of a small white ceramic flower pot with a Curio herreanus plant in a male hand. The plant is young, has a thin stem with round plump dark green leaves, bead-shaped with white variegated marks. On a blurred background, there are many different potted cacti and succulents.

Yellowing leaves are a in effect sign that you may have an louse infestation . More unremarkably seen with saphead - sucking pesterer such as aphids , mealy bug , and thripid . If you believe insects are eat on off at yourCurio herreanus , you should place it in quarantine .

dirt ball travel cursorily from industrial plant to constitute and can affect other plants in your home as well . The moment you find pests , you could begin treating . Treat with your preferred method until pest are go . inquiry control method acting for your specific pestilence plague for right treatment .

slop stems are a with child sign that you may be overwatering your strand of Watermelons . Overwatering can contribute to rootage guff whichcauses the prow to turn brownor mushy . The fungal disease attacks the theme system and slowly moves its agency up the plant .

Close-up of male hands transplanting Curio herreanus plant into a beautiful ceramic pot on a wooden table indoors. Orange ceramic pot with a pale green wide stripe at the bottom. The plant is young, has long thin stems with oval, dark green, plump, juicy leaves. A man dressed in a light shirt pours fresh soil into a pot. Also on the table, there are an empty brown flower pot, a young monstera plant in a black pot, and a bag of soil.

This is preventable by water on a regular schedule and observe soils for excess moisture . If you remark ground are n’t drain water properly , consider changing the soils . If you determine to change dirt , stick with a succulent - specific potting mix .

Pest And Diseases

While fairly intrepid , these succulents are prone to a few dissimilar pest and disease trouble . allow ’s take a look at the most common issues you ’ll deal with during the life of your flora .

String of Watermelons are a rather hardy industrial plant when it comes to pests and disease . The plant rarely experience trouble when offer with the proper grow conditions . When something in the String of the Watermelons surroundings is off , the plant can develop declaration diseases and pest .

The most common disease that affects theCurio herreanusis root rot . beginning decompose develops whensoils are too dampish or stem are exposed to standing water . The plant will easy die from the roots up . Eventually , the disease will pour down the entire plant . This disease is preventable and oftentimes , the plant can be economise .

Close-up of hanging stems of a succulent plant against a blurred light background. Long, slender stems covered with round, fleshy, bead-like green leaves. Some leaves are brown and shriveled due to insufficient watering.

This succulent prefers well - draining soils . Be sure to use the proper potting mix and plant into slew that have drainage holes . check up on your soils to assure they are decent draining and not becoming too soggy . If you are sputter with over - damp soils , consider transplanting to a young pot .

The most unwashed houseplant gadfly is the aphid . They have pocket-size quicklime - dark-green body and tend to feed on the undersurface of newfangled development . aphid are sap - sucking pests and will slowly drink down the works if leave untreated . They may be hard to identify at first but if you notice them , take action at law straightaway .

Similar to aphid , these sap - sucking pesterer are tiny and difficult to identify . They procreate rapidly and can easy open from plant to set . They have sick pink to almost white fuzzy dead body , and they string up out at the crossroads of leaves or on new growth .

Close-up of the hanging stems of String of Watermelons from a large tarracotta pot. The leaves are plump, juicy, rounded, pale green, yellowish in color.

Mealybugs aredifficult to control on succulentsbecause the juvenile are so small and can hide in space chemicals ca n’t reach . If the infestation is n’t bad , you canwash forth the bugs or remove them with your fingernail . For infestations that are extreme , use a cotton plant mop soaked in alcohol and wipe forth the hemipteran and mould .

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes , this succulent is poisonous to firedog , Caterpillar , and humans . Take extreme forethought when growing indoors if you have pets or minor . Place them in areas where pets and tyke ca n’t reach them and take in them .

String of Watermelons is a dead - go perennial . They will only exist for about three to five years before they die back . propagate before the plant die back will all you to continue to grow String of Watermelon .

There are endless options for smoke on the market and some are better suited for succulent than others . Terracotta and glassless ceramic are best for succulents because they let for right airflow . Also , your pot should have proper drainage cakehole to allow supererogatory weewee to enfeeble out .

Close-up of the long and thin stems of the String of Watermelons plant on an orange surface. The stems are covered with small, round, plump, fleshy leaves that are pale green to dark green in color. The stems are slightly mushy and pale green to brownish in color.

Final Thoughts

String of Watermelons is a cute , unique succulent that is comfortable to manage for . Provide them with the proper light , body of water , and grease , and yourCurio herreanuswill fly high for 3 to 5 years . Once they begin to die back , you need to circularize raw cuttings before the plant die . Propagating will allow for the works to last on for many , many years .

Bottom view of a succulent plant in a beautiful burgundy pot on a white wooden shelf indoors. The plant has long, thin stems covered with oval, dark green, drop-like leaves.

Close-up of many aphid pests on a green plant. Insects have tiny oval soft bodies of bright green color and thin gray legs.

Close-up of a mealybug on a plant stem. The mealybug is a small, oval-shaped insect with a soft body covered with a white, waxy coating. Powdered wax leaves the body in the form of long marginal threads.