String of Dolphins also called dolphin plant, flying Dolphins, is a rare trailing succulent that’s making waves around the world with its string-like stems really look like tiny little dolphins jumping out of the waves.
It’s a hybrid between string of pearls and candle plant. These stems cascade and trail down, giving the plant a graceful and mesmerizing appearance when grown in hanging baskets or allowed to drape over shelves or containers. They bloom in the fall with small white, tightly compacted flowers.
Sunlight
String of Dolphins love indirect sunlight to thrive. As a houseplant, they prefer at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. If you want to grow them as houseplant, you may need to grow them in a south-facing window or put them under grow light during cold seasons.
Image Credit: thespruce.com
Though String of Dolphins easily get sunburned or get unattractive black spots when exposed to too much sun, they can adapt to outdoor grow if your put them in shaded spot or grow them together with other succulents, where they can get indirect or filtered sunlight. They often thrive in Zone 10a (Minimum 30° F | -1.1° C), so they are not cold hard either. Move them indoors before frost to help them survive. Click here to learn how much sunlight succulents need.
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Water
String of Dolphins need water a bit more often than String of Pearls. The best way to water them is using ''soak and dry'' method. That means watering the soil till it leak out of the succulent pot's drainage hole and allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
During their growing seasons (in Spring to early Fall), water them once per week and water them once per month during dormant period (Winter). The watering schedule can be adjusted which depends on the conditions in your area and the pot you use. Overwatering your succulents is very damaging, which will cause leaves rot and root rot. Succulents’ roots and leaves have the ability to store water for surviving. They don’t need so much water as you might think. Click here to learn how to save overwatered succulents.
Soil & Pot
Just like other soft succulents, String of Dolphins can't stand seating the wet soil. Using light-weight and well drainage soil mix like professional organic cactus soil mix and a planter pot with drainage holes will meet its need.
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You can make your own soil mix for them by mixing 2 parts potting soil, 1 part perlite, 1 part gritty rocks.
Fertilizer
String of Dolphins do not require regular fertilizing as over-fertilizing this plant can result in losing their iconic jumping dolphin shape. To help them growth and encourage blooming, it is suggested that feed them with organic fertilizer once a year at the beginning of Spring. It is not recommended that fertilizing your succulents in summer, which will cause soil too hot and burn the roots. Click here to learn Succulents Summer Care.
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Propagation
While leaf propagation is not a good option, String of Dolphins are easily propagated from stem cuttings in soil or in water.
Stem propagations in Soil
- 1. Use a clean, sharp knife or scissor to cut a 5 inches(13 cm) healthy and sturdy stem from the mother plant.
- 2. Remove few leaves from the bottom and let the stem expose and callus for 2- 3 days.
- 3. Insert the stem in well drainage succulent potting soil and water the soil deeply.
- 4. Place the cuttings in airy location with indirect or partial sunlight to grow. Slowly introduce more sun to them in the next few weeks.
Image Credit: houseplantshop.com
Stem propagations in Water
- 1. Use a clean, sharp knife or scissor to cut a 5 inches(13 cm) healthy and sturdy stem from the mother plant.
- 2. Remove few leaves from the bottom and insert it in a jar of water. In the next couple of weeks, fresh little roots will develop on the stem, which is a sign for you to transfer the cuttings into soil.
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Pests and Diseases
Some common pest issue also are easily happen to String of Dolphins such as mealybugs, scale, aphids, and spider mites, etc. To remove mealybugs, try using neem oil or alcohol cotton swabs. To remove spider mites, try soap spray on the leaves.
Click here to learn How to Use Neem Oil on Your Succulents and Cactus!
Pet Safe?
String of Dolphins are toxic to cats, dogs, and other pets. Even for children, you need to plant String of Dolphins out of the reach of them as it is mildly toxic to humans.
Click here to get the list of 15 top popular trailling succulent plants!
