The string of dolphins succulent also known as the “senecio peregrinus'' or “dolphin plant” is a very unique shaped, very popular and common succulent.
With tiny curvy green leaves, these leaves look like dolphins jumping out of the waves. This succulent can grow up to 6 inches tall, and as it keeps growing its leaves become more and more similar. The string of dolphins succulent will also bloom white, red, yellow flowers in the fall. These flowers look totally amazing with the unique shape and color of the leaves.
Arguably one of the cutest succulents out there, since it has the most unique leaves ever. It’s a hanging succulent and it’s very similar to the string of bananas. This is also a fairly large growing succulent, it will grow all the way up to 3 ft long! Of course it wants to hang in order to grow large since it is a hanging succulent. Make sure to grow it in a hanging pot or on a shelf somewhere so it can hang down!
Arguably one of the cutest succulents out there, since it has the most unique leaves ever. It’s a hanging succulent and it’s very similar to the string of bananas. This is also a fairly large growing succulent, it will grow all the way up to 3 ft long! Of course it wants to hang in order to grow large since it is a hanging succulent. Make sure to grow it in a hanging pot or on a shelf somewhere so it can hang down!
The string of dolphins is super easy to grow and care for. You can grow them indoors or outdoors, it’s your choice! By the end of this article you will know exactly how to grow and care for this unique beautiful succulent known as the string of dolphins.
Before we Begin...
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Let’s begin!
STRING OF DOLPHINS CARE
TEMPERATURE
The string of dolphins isn’t a fan of warm or hot weather, but it can tolerate it if needed to. This succulent grows best in the summer or in their growing season. 72 degrees is the most perfect temperature for it, but it can definitely handle a little higher temperature. The string of dolphins isn’t cold hardy, so it won’t survive in frost or freezing temperatures. During the winter, if your location gets under 30 degrees then you will have to move and grow this succulent indoors during the cold winter season. After the weather gets warmer you can then move it back outdoors.
LIGHT
The string of dolphins should get at least 3-5 hours of indirect sunlight every single day. Make sure that you don’t give it too much sun because too much sun will cause a sunburn. A sunburn will damage the leaves of this succulent, making the succulent have sun spots. This succulent is very delicate and too much sun can easily burn it. It’s important to give in indirect sunlight and also some partial shade so it can take a break. When growing indoors just make sure it gets enough sunlight, grow near a window that will do so. This succulent really doesn’t need much sunlight, it’s considered a low light succulent, so just make sure you don’t over do it with sunlight.
SOIL
This soil is the most perfect soil for the String of Dolphins. This succulent soil has 2 of the fastest draining ingredients out there sand and perlite. Sand and perlite will protect your String of Dolphins from root rot. Root rot is known as the #1 most common reason why a succulent will die and it happens a lot.
This soil will help your String of Dolphins grow healthy, happy, and of course protect it from root rot which is much needed. This soil is also loaded with 60+ minerals and nutrients from seaweed fertilizer. Your String of Dolphins will grow bigger, faster, and stronger in this soil because it will be absorbing many nutrients from the seaweed in the soil.
This is amazing soil for your String of Dolphins and you should definitely consider it when growing this succulent. Your String of Dolphins will just simply love it and will grow super healthy, faster, bigger, and happier when grown in this soil.
POT
It’s best to grow the string of dolphins in a hanging pot. You can still grow this succulent in a regular succulent pot, but you need to make sure it’s hanging on an edge so it can grow. Also whichever pot you choose, make sure it has a drainage hole to prevent overwatering and root rot. If your pot doesn’t have a drainage hole no worries! We have a guide on how to grow succulents in pots without drainage holes.
WATERING
It’s best to water the string of dolphins 1-2 days a week or when the soil looks or feels really dry. It’s important that you don’t overwater this succulent because overwatering will cause root rot. Use the “soak and dry” method which means water when the soil looks dry. Be sure to keep track of the exact last time you watered this succulent. If a watering issue does occur then you will know exactly what’s going on with it.
DORMANCY
The string of dolphins does go dormant during the winter. During the dormancy, make sure that this succulent stays cool. It should be grown in 50-55 degree weather so it can stay healthy during dormancy. Also cut back on the watering since it’s getting cooler, this will help prevent overwatering and root rot.
STRING OF DOLPHINS PROPAGATION
The best and only way to propagate the string of dolphins is by stem cuttings. Unfortunately you cannot propagate this succulent through leaves, but stem cuttings is very easy and simple to do.
You first will need to get some clippers and clip off a cutting. If a cutting fell off by accident you can use that as well. Either way however you get your cutting you will need to let it sit out for 2-4 days so it can form a callus after cutting it off. It’s very important that your cutting forms a callus, without a callus then propagation will not be successful.
After a callus has formed go ahead and plant that cutting in well-drained succulent soil. Make sure to give it full shade for about 1 week without direct sunlight. After a week slowly give it some more sunlight each and every day. Water 1-2 days a week and you will start to notice the cutting is rooting and growing healthy. After roots have formed you can either let it continue to grow in the pot you were using or you can repot it in a different pot, up to you.
For more information on how to propagate succulents, check out our article.
HOW TO MAKE STRING OF DOLPHINS PRODUCE FLOWERS
The string of dolphins will produce beautiful white flowers that smell like cinnamon in the spring and summer. Of course flowers will only occur if the succulent is fully mature and growing healthy. In order for these gorgeous flowers to bloom, you will need to make sure that this succulent is growing healthy and happy. Basically you will need to give it the right temperature that we listed already, water accordingly, proper sunlight, and just make sure that no problems are occurring. Basically, if you follow this guide correctly you will have a string of dolphins succulent produce its beautiful flowers!
REPOTTING STRING OF DOLPHINS
The string of dolphins will need to be repotted when it’s the right time to do so. When this succulent outgrows its pot then it will need to be repotted. Basically, if you want this succulent to grow much larger, then you will need to repot it in a bigger succulent pot.
Repotting the string of dolphins is fairly hard. The leaves and stems are very delicate so the slightest touch could damage the leaves or break off a cutting.
Some tools you will need before repotting would be, well-drained succulent soil, your new and bigger pot, some gloves, and make sure that your string of dolphins is hydrated.
To repot this succulent you will first need to unpot it from its old pot. You can do this by carefully grabbing a small shovel or spoon and digging deep into the soil. Once you hit the bottom of the pot then lift up and unpot the succulent. Carefully grab the succulent and place it in a safe area, make sure to be very careful so you don’t damage the leaves or cuttings.
After you have unpotted, grab some of your well-drained succulent soil and fill your new pot up half way full. Then place your string of dolphins into the spot and fill in the pot with the rest of your soil. Pat down the soil so the succulent is supported and sturdy, growing straight up in place. Don’t water until the soil is dry, and that’s how you repot a string of dolphins!
COMMON GROWING PROBLEMS FOR THE STRING OF DOLPHINS
PESTS
One common problem when growing the string of dolphins would be the attack of succulent pests. Pests such as mealybugs, aphids, gnats, or even ants will attack this succulent if you overwater the succulent or just keep the area dirty. Most of the time succulents pests will only attack the succulent if there’s a little issue with your succulent. For more information on how to stop and prevent these succulents pests, click the links in the paragraph.
OVERWATERING
Another common problem when growing this succulent is overwatering. Like most succulents, the string of dolphins is a drought tolerant plant and doesn’t need or want too much water. Too much water will allow the soil to be overwatered and then root rot may occur. Make sure to not overwater this succulent and only water when the soil looks or feels very dry.
IS THE STRING OF DOLPHINS TOXIC?
Yes, the string of dolphins is a toxic succulent, but it’s only toxic to pets and animals. It’s not toxic to humans at all just pets, but of course your pets would only have to consume the succulent to cause problems. We do not recommend consuming this succulent, it will most likely harm your health. Keep away from children, pets, and other animals to avoid health problems.
STRING OF DOLPHINS FAQ
Why is my string of dolphins dying?
Your string of dolphins is dying because it has been overwatered or underwatered. If your string of dolphins is overwatered you will start to see moldy, mushy leaves, and just a very unhealthy look. If your string of dolphins is underwatered then the leaves will look dry, wrinkled, and dehydrated.
Leaves of a string of dolphins are flat?
When a string of dolphins succulent is overwatered you will see that its leaves are starting to lose its shape, color, or look flat. To get its leaves back to normal you will have to cut back on watering and only water when the soil looks dry.
String of dolphins leaves brown?
If the leaves of your string of dolphins look brown then it’s due to overwatering and underwatering.
That’s it!
The string of dolphins succulent is an amazing succulent plant to grow! It does take some little things to make this succulent healthy, but you now that what to do. Every single succulent lover should grow this succulent because it looks so unique and beautiful. Make sure to grow this succulent in a hanging pot because a hanging pot is what will make this succulent look so unique and beautiful. Best of luck growing this succulent!
Thank You!
Thank you for visiting our website and reading our article. We hope we brought value, and great information to you today. Our goal is to help fellow succulent lovers like you! Any questions or if you’d like more tips email us or comment below!
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