Gardeners, are you looking for a truly unique addition to your plant collection that looks absolutely stunning in baskets and hanging displays? Look no further than the top-notch hanging plant String of Dolphins, also known as Senecio peregrinus, a beautiful member of the Secenio genus! It is sometimes called dolphin necklace, dolphin plant, and flying dolphins.
Native to Southern Africa, the string of dolphins is a trailing succulent in the Asteraceae family that is a cross between the string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) and the hot dog cactus (Senecio articulatus).
The string of dolphins gets its name from the way its leaves grow in a cascading pattern, resembling a pod of leaping dolphins in mid-air. With their ionic dolphin-shaped leaves and long hanging tendrils, they can grow up to 6 inches tall. The leaves are small, chubby, and curved, resembling little dolphins with fins and tails.
The Flowers of the String of Dolphins plant typically blooms in the spring and summer seasons. During this time, you may see clusters of small, white, tubular flowers appearing along the trailing stems and vines. It's a delightful sight to behold!
To propagate string of dolphins, it can be done easily through stem cuttings. You can simply use a sharp knife to trim off a healthy stem, leave it callous for a few days, and then place it in well-draining soil. With proper care and attention, you can watch your String of Dolphins flourish and create a stunning display of leaping dolphins in your own home.
Whether you choose to grow these in hanging baskets, a decorative hanging pot alone, or let them trail down from a larger pot to a shelf, the string of dolphin plants is sure to add a touch of whimsy and charm to any space. It's a delightful plant that will capture the hearts of both plant enthusiasts and dolphin lovers alike!
Watering Needs
Unlike some rare succulents that can be difficult to water, the Senecio peregrinus is relatively simple to care for. This dolphin succulent has water-storing leaves. It's best to water it thoroughly and then allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Overwatering can lead to root rot and other issues, so it's important to avoid soggy soil or excess soil moisture.
To determine when it's time to water, simply stick your finger into the soil up to your knuckle. If the soil feels dry at that depth, it's time to water. Be sure to water the plant evenly, allowing the water to soak through the soil and drain out the bottom of the pot. Remember, always use the terracotta potting medium that has adequate drainage holes to avoid any damage.
During the growing season, which is typically spring and summer, your dolphins' string may require more frequent watering. However, during the dormant season, which is usually fall and winter, it's important to reduce watering and allow the plant to rest.
Light Requirements
When it comes to light requirements for the String of Dolphins plant, it loves bright, indirect light and morning sun. When exposed to too much sun, your string of dolphin plants can easily become sunburned. This houseplant requires Full sun to partial shade sun exposure for almost 4-6 hours a day.
If you notice that your dolphin plant starts stretching or leaning toward the light, it's a sign that it needs more light. On the other hand, if the leaves start turning yellow or brown, they may be getting too much direct sunlight.
If you're growing your String of Dolphins indoors, placing a pot of it in a sunny window near a north or south-facing window is usually a good choice. You can also use a sheer curtain or blinds to filter the light if it's too intense.
Remember, finding the right balance of light is important for the health and growth of your plant. So, keep an eye on how it responds to its current location and make adjustments as needed.
Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs
The string of dolphins favors very airy, sandy soil that drains well. Planting them in ordinary soil will result in compacted roots, stunted growth, and most likely root rot. Instead, make or buy a well-draining soil mix, or ideally use our specialized succulent potting mix that contains 5 natural substrates and mycorrhizae to promote new root growth that helps your succulent plants to thrive.
When it comes to fertilizing, the String of Dolphins doesn't require a lot of nutrients. During the active growth of the growing season, which is typically early spring, you can fertilize it once a year with a natural, NPK fertilizer (5-10-5). However, during the dormant season, which is usually early fall and winter, you can reduce or even stop fertilizing altogether. This allows your dolphin plant to rest and prepare for healthy growth in the following season.
Remember, it's always better to under-fertilize than to over-fertilize, as too much fertilizer can cause harm to your soft succulent plant. So, stick to a regular fertilizing schedule during the growing season and adjust accordingly during the dormant season.
Hardiness Zones & More
Strings of dolphins often grow in a hardiness zone of 10-11. This means it thrives in warmer climates where the temperatures rarely dip below freezing. It does well in cooler temperatures, ranging from 60-80°F. It's important to avoid exposing it to temperatures below 50°F, as these below-freezing temperatures can cause damage to the plant.
As for humidity, the String of Dolphins plant can tolerate a range of humidity levels for different species. It can adapt to both low and high-humidity environments. However, it generally prefers moderate humidity levels around 40-60%. If the air becomes too dry, you can mist the leaves with water or use a humidifier to increase the humidity around the plant.
Remember, providing the right temperature and humidity conditions will help your String of Dolphins plant thrive and stay healthy. Be sure to add a Senecio peregrinus string of dolphins to your collection today and elevate the beauty of your home or garden with this stunning-looking plant. Here at Planet Desert, you can find more information if you're interested in learning Everything about the String of Dolphins plant.
| Bloom Season | Fall / winter |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Senecio peregrinus |
| Dormancy | Summer |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Flower Color | White |
| Growth Habit | Trailing, hanging |
| Mature Size | 36″ (91 cm) |
| Native Area | Bolivia |
| Resistance | 30° f (1.1° c) |
- Description
- Key Plant Features
Gardeners, are you looking for a truly unique addition to your plant collection that looks absolutely stunning in baskets and hanging displays? Look no further than the top-notch hanging plant String of Dolphins, also known as Senecio peregrinus, a beautiful member of the Secenio genus! It is sometimes called dolphin necklace, dolphin plant, and flying dolphins.
Native to Southern Africa, the string of dolphins is a trailing succulent in the Asteraceae family that is a cross between the string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) and the hot dog cactus (Senecio articulatus).
The string of dolphins gets its name from the way its leaves grow in a cascading pattern, resembling a pod of leaping dolphins in mid-air. With their ionic dolphin-shaped leaves and long hanging tendrils, they can grow up to 6 inches tall. The leaves are small, chubby, and curved, resembling little dolphins with fins and tails.
The Flowers of the String of Dolphins plant typically blooms in the spring and summer seasons. During this time, you may see clusters of small, white, tubular flowers appearing along the trailing stems and vines. It's a delightful sight to behold!
To propagate string of dolphins, it can be done easily through stem cuttings. You can simply use a sharp knife to trim off a healthy stem, leave it callous for a few days, and then place it in well-draining soil. With proper care and attention, you can watch your String of Dolphins flourish and create a stunning display of leaping dolphins in your own home.
Whether you choose to grow these in hanging baskets, a decorative hanging pot alone, or let them trail down from a larger pot to a shelf, the string of dolphin plants is sure to add a touch of whimsy and charm to any space. It's a delightful plant that will capture the hearts of both plant enthusiasts and dolphin lovers alike!
Watering Needs
Unlike some rare succulents that can be difficult to water, the Senecio peregrinus is relatively simple to care for. This dolphin succulent has water-storing leaves. It's best to water it thoroughly and then allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Overwatering can lead to root rot and other issues, so it's important to avoid soggy soil or excess soil moisture.
To determine when it's time to water, simply stick your finger into the soil up to your knuckle. If the soil feels dry at that depth, it's time to water. Be sure to water the plant evenly, allowing the water to soak through the soil and drain out the bottom of the pot. Remember, always use the terracotta potting medium that has adequate drainage holes to avoid any damage.
During the growing season, which is typically spring and summer, your dolphins' string may require more frequent watering. However, during the dormant season, which is usually fall and winter, it's important to reduce watering and allow the plant to rest.
Light Requirements
When it comes to light requirements for the String of Dolphins plant, it loves bright, indirect light and morning sun. When exposed to too much sun, your string of dolphin plants can easily become sunburned. This houseplant requires Full sun to partial shade sun exposure for almost 4-6 hours a day.
If you notice that your dolphin plant starts stretching or leaning toward the light, it's a sign that it needs more light. On the other hand, if the leaves start turning yellow or brown, they may be getting too much direct sunlight.
If you're growing your String of Dolphins indoors, placing a pot of it in a sunny window near a north or south-facing window is usually a good choice. You can also use a sheer curtain or blinds to filter the light if it's too intense.
Remember, finding the right balance of light is important for the health and growth of your plant. So, keep an eye on how it responds to its current location and make adjustments as needed.
Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs
The string of dolphins favors very airy, sandy soil that drains well. Planting them in ordinary soil will result in compacted roots, stunted growth, and most likely root rot. Instead, make or buy a well-draining soil mix, or ideally use our specialized succulent potting mix that contains 5 natural substrates and mycorrhizae to promote new root growth that helps your succulent plants to thrive.
When it comes to fertilizing, the String of Dolphins doesn't require a lot of nutrients. During the active growth of the growing season, which is typically early spring, you can fertilize it once a year with a natural, NPK fertilizer (5-10-5). However, during the dormant season, which is usually early fall and winter, you can reduce or even stop fertilizing altogether. This allows your dolphin plant to rest and prepare for healthy growth in the following season.
Remember, it's always better to under-fertilize than to over-fertilize, as too much fertilizer can cause harm to your soft succulent plant. So, stick to a regular fertilizing schedule during the growing season and adjust accordingly during the dormant season.
Hardiness Zones & More
Strings of dolphins often grow in a hardiness zone of 10-11. This means it thrives in warmer climates where the temperatures rarely dip below freezing. It does well in cooler temperatures, ranging from 60-80°F. It's important to avoid exposing it to temperatures below 50°F, as these below-freezing temperatures can cause damage to the plant.
As for humidity, the String of Dolphins plant can tolerate a range of humidity levels for different species. It can adapt to both low and high-humidity environments. However, it generally prefers moderate humidity levels around 40-60%. If the air becomes too dry, you can mist the leaves with water or use a humidifier to increase the humidity around the plant.
Remember, providing the right temperature and humidity conditions will help your String of Dolphins plant thrive and stay healthy. Be sure to add a Senecio peregrinus string of dolphins to your collection today and elevate the beauty of your home or garden with this stunning-looking plant. Here at Planet Desert, you can find more information if you're interested in learning Everything about the String of Dolphins plant.
| Bloom Season | Fall / winter |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Senecio peregrinus |
| Dormancy | Summer |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Flower Color | White |
| Growth Habit | Trailing, hanging |
| Mature Size | 36″ (91 cm) |
| Native Area | Bolivia |
| Resistance | 30° f (1.1° c) |