String of Dolphins plants are a beautiful houseplant variety known for their lush, trailing leaves that resemble dolphins. However, pets should not consume them as their toxic leaves could prove lethal to them if ingested.
Dolphin plants store water in their thick leaves, enabling them to go longer between watering sessions than other succulents; however, they still run the risk of overwatering.
Light
A string of Dolphins (Senecio rowleyanus) plants make an eye-catching and distinctive accent to any indoor or outdoor space and need adequate fertilization, light, and water to flourish. Without these conditions being met, their growth could wane or even die off altogether; with enough sunlight, fertilization, water, and care from you, your string of dolphins plant will continue to flourish, adding beauty and elegance.
The string of dolphin plants prefer bright indirect lighting with well-draining soil yet can be sensitive to overwatering. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering it again to avoid this issue. To keep your plant happy and ensure the most suitable growing environment possible, report it every few years using an appropriate soil mix for cacti and succulents (including perlite).
A string of dolphin plants typically thrives in light sandy or loamy soil with an ideal pH range between 6.0 and 6.5. If you prefer richer soil, compost may help improve its drainage capabilities and properties.
Ideally, a string of dolphin plants should be watered once every week during their growing season; however, during winter dormancy, this frequency should be decreased to once every two weeks.
Morning is the optimal time to water your plant, avoiding exposure to the intense heat of the afternoon sun. Additionally, water slowly so as not to flood the soil too quickly, which could result in root rot issues.
When propagating a string of dolphin plants, take stem cuttings with at least 2-3 nodes – these nodes connect leaves to stems, where new roots will develop, so ensure all nodes are healthy and free of fungus before taking your cutting. If propagating in water, remove some lower leaves to prevent any possible rot.
If using a transparent container for cuttings, add enough lukewarm water until two-thirds full; add the rooting hormone diluted into this water before gently submerging your cutting.
Water
As with any succulent, string of dolphin plants require plenty of water to thrive and flourish, but too much or too little may result in root rot and wilted leaves. Watering frequency should be adjusted based on environmental conditions – as temperatures cool off and atmospheric humidity decreases; watering frequencies should reduce since evapotranspiration declines and soil becomes saturated more quickly.
As with other succulents, the soil should be well-draining to avoid waterlogging and overwatering. Overwatering may occur if irrigation water takes too long to drain off or if the dishes and pebble trays are mismanaged, leading to the overwatering of succulents. Soggy soil provides ideal breeding grounds for common houseplant pests like Phytophthora and Pythium that damage houseplants.
Watering a string of dolphin plants should be done carefully until water escapes from the drainage holes in its pot. Do this frequently during active growing seasons and less often in winter to prevent overwatering and create favorable moisture loss conditions.
Be mindful that string of dolphin plants do not respond well to direct sunlight; for best results, place it where indirect lighting will reach it – ideally south-facing windows, but it could work just as well in west or shady locations indoors or out.
Fertilizing a string of dolphin plants requires using a soil mix explicitly formulated for succulents/cacti and should be done continuously. Use an NPK fertilizer explicitly designed for succulents/cacti for optimal results. When applying NPK, follow product instructions for correct application rates.
If your string of dolphin plants shows signs of overwatering, reduce its frequency by one watering frequency until half an inch or two of soil has dried out before applying more irrigation if your plant appears to need additional moisture for its roots to become adequately saturated.
Fertilize
String of Dolphins plant is an attractive houseplant known for its cascading foliage and unique beauty. Easy to care for and adding a vibrant splash of color and elegance to any room, this deep specimen requires proper watering, soil care, and propagation to stay healthy and flourish.
A string of dolphin plants require some dry time between watering sessions to thrive, as overwatering is one of the leading causes of root rot in this succulent plant. If your plant appears wilting, drooping, or turning brown, it could suffer from overwatering and require immediate attention.
Repotting this plant won’t need to be done often, but every few years is recommended for best results. Simply remove the old container, find one 1-2 inches larger in diameter that drains well, and refresh its soil.
If your plant starts developing an extensive mat of roots, it may be time to be repotted and divided to maintain health and avoid overcrowding. Repotting is also an opportunity for a division that may help prevent unnecessary overgrowth of its foliage.
A string of dolphin plants is easily propagated using either soil or water stem cuttings. You will need to cut a healthy piece from the mother plant that measures at least 4-6 inches long and has at least 2-3 nodes; these nodes will allow new leaves to emerge on its stem, so only cut at this point to prevent rot from setting in.
When propagating plants through stem cuttings in water, using a transparent rooting medium is crucial for monitoring root development. This step is especially essential if you’re beginning and it may be hard to tell if stems are growing correctly.
Once the rooting process has finished, transfer your cuttings into soil explicitly designed for cacti and succulents, which will ensure proper drainage. Finally, enjoy your hard work!
Propagation
Once your string of dolphins plant has matured, it’s time to propagate it again using either stem or leaf cuttings – this method ensures you are taking cuttings from healthy, mature plants.
Once your new plants have been propagated, they must receive plenty of light – direct sunlight can damage newly bred roots that haven’t fully developed yet; for best results, it would be wise to gradually introduce brighter sunlight by placing them somewhere with dappled or indirect light sources.
Keep an eye on how much water your plants receive; too much can cause root rot, damaging both their current state and newer growth. Aim to give each plant only small amounts once or twice weekly during summer and once or twice monthly during winter.
Finally, you must watch for pests such as aphids, mealybugs, scale, and spider mites – they can cause havoc to your plants if left alone and should be addressed as soon as they’re seen.
In case of pest infestation, spray your plant with a fungicide to destroy them quickly and maintain beautiful blooms. Doing this will protect and preserve its look for many seasons to come.
Care for a string of dolphin plants will make an exquisite addition to your home, bringing beauty and greenery throughout the room. Be sure to water it regularly, place it near a sunny window, and fertilize it as part of an ongoing regimen.
