String of Dolphins (Senecio hippogriff) is a hanging succulent plant with trailing stems, unusual dolphin-shaped leaves, and small white puffball flowers. String of dolphins grows easily indoors. Its cascading stems and foliage look like a pod of leaping dolphins, making this a popular and unusual houseplant.
Other names for the string of dolphins include flying whales, dolphin necklace, and dolphin plant, among others. The petioled, oblong, arching leaves have little, pointed sections that look like dolphin pectoral fins. This plant is a conversation starter in any room thanks to its cascading dolphin leaves hanging down over the pot.
This is a full how-to for keeping a dolphin plant growing at home. You’ll get valuable advice on dealing with developing problems with this vine-like succulent, in addition to learning how to grow your plant well.
String of Dolphins (Senecio hippogriff) Care Overview
Hang the hanging succulent in a sunny location, protected from direct sunlight, to care for a string of dolphins. A permeable potting soil with excellent drainage is ideal for dolphin plants. Grow Senecio hippogriff at temperatures of 70°F to 80°F (21°C to 27°C), and maintain low humidity. Fertilizer requirements for flying dolphins are minimal.
What is String of Dolphin Plant?
The succulent string of dolphins is a South American native that has a cascading growth habit. The candle plant (Senecio articulatus) and a string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) are combined to create the trailing succulent. In its natural environment, the drought-tolerant plant thrives in warm, dry situations.
Senecio hippogriff, or Curio × peregrinus, is the botanical name for this group of dolphins. Some websites, however, incorrectly name this species as Senecio peregrinus. This blooming plant species belongs to the Asteraceae family, whatever its official name.
In USDA zones 10 and 11, a string of dolphins grows outdoors. Between 1 and 3 feet (0.3 and 1 meter) long, the succulent creeping “string” stems may be found. Dolphin plants, which can grow up to 20 inches (50 cm) per year under ideal conditions, are fast-growing succulents.
A species of flowering succulent known as dolphin necklace plants When in bloom, the succulent produces little round white fuzzy blooms with pink, red, or yellow filaments. Dolphin plants, on the other hand, seldom bloom indoors. Nevertheless, the plant’s remarkable jumping dolphin foliage compensates for the lack of flowers.
Dolphin string is a succulent plant that resembles other hanging basket plants. It’s a type of unusual trailing plant. Curved banana-shaped fleshy leaves, for example, may be found on the string of bananas. The stems of a pearl or bead necklace are dangly, and the leaves are ball-shaped.
How to Care for String of Dolphins (Senecio hippogriff)
Succulents that feature a dolphin motif are simple to maintain. The three critical care requirements for maintaining a string of dolphins are plenty of bright indirect light, minimal overwatering, and minimal humidity. The hanging basket plants will live for many years if you do this correctly. Let’s take a closer look at how to care for a string of dolphins.
String of Dolphins Light Requirements
Bright light is ideal for growing a dolphin necklace, but it’s best to avoid direct sunlight. To get enough light, hang the plant in an east- or west-facing window. Yellow, scorched leaves can be caused by intense sunlight such as that found in a south-facing window.
Leggy development and sparse foliage are also symptoms of growth in low light or shade. Sunshine is required for fast development and healthy, green leaves in all succulents. Dolphin necklace plants need at least six hours of sunlight each day to survive. Try to grow the plant in the brightest spot in your home when growing indoors.
The foliage may be burnt by direct sunlight if it is growing in a south-facing room. As a result, it’s preferable to keep the hanging succulent at least a few feet away from the window. Instead, by growing the dolphin plant behind a sheer curtain, you can ensure that you have the lighting conditions right.
Dolphin plants are not low-light plants, despite their name. As a result, they should not be grown in low-lighted areas or shaded nooks. Dolphin plants are also poor bathroom plants since they don’t need a lot of humidity. The dangling vines extend towards the light, giving the plant a unkempt appearance due to the lack of light.
The Best Soil for Growing String of Dolphins Indoors
In a loose potting mix that drains well, grow a string of dolphin succulents. Mix two parts perlite with one part regular houseplant potting soil to make suitable succulent soil. You can alternatively choose from a range of ready-to-use cactus soil mixes. The most important requirement is that water flow quickly through the earth.
A string of dolphins in waterlogged, soggy soil is the absolute worst thing that can happen to them. Moisture is retained in thick, clay soil or when drainage is poor. Roots devolve and rot in this sort of soil. The browning and mushiness of dolphin leaves might be due to this factor.
Make certain your potting soil dries every four to five days to ensure you have the appropriate sort of dolphin plant. Add perlite, pea gravel, or pumice to the soil to make it more porous in order to improve drainage. Furthermore, peat moss is light and airy, allowing for just the right amount of moisture.
Improved soil texture can also be achieved by growing a string of dolphins in an unglazed terracotta pot. Moisture evaporates faster through the porous material. This prevents the soil from becoming too wet for an extended period of time.
How to Water String of Dolphins Hanging Plants
Succulents that don’t need much water include a string of dolphins. Watering the “dolphin strings” once a week or so is usually enough. Water the dolphin necklace every two weeks or less in colder weather. Always make sure that the top 2” (5 cm) of soil is dry before watering the plant.
The drench and dry method is used to water the dolphin plant’s water. This watering method for houseplants helps you avoid watering the succulent too often. The roots absorb enough moisture without ever sitting in wet, mushy soil by drenching the soil after it has dried out.
Before watering, always make sure that the top 2 inches (5 cm) of soil is completely dry. Add enough water at room temperature until it runs out of the pot’s drainage hole. Before replacing the pot on the drip tray, allow all water to drip out. Before soaking the soil again, wait until it has dried. For sustaining a string of dolphins, here are a few care tips:
- Watering your dolphin plant lightly and regularly is important. This method of watering may cause thirsty roots as well as fungus gnats and spider mites.
- When watering houseplants, follow the dryness rather than a schedule.
- Dolphins love light, dry soil rather than thick, wet soil.
- Allow chemicals to evaporate and bring the water up to room temperature by leaving it out all night.
Temperature Requirements for Growing String of Dolphins
In warm indoor temperatures of 70°F to 80°F (21°C to 27°C), a dolphin succulent string may be grown. Warm, arid climates are ideal for dolphin plants. As a result, it’s best to keep the room temperature and humidity consistent. The temperature is likely to be ideal for growing these hanging vine succulents if you feel comfortable.
When growing flying dolphins indoors, there are a few challenges in getting temperatures right. In the summer, for example, cold air from windows or air-conditioning devices may harm heat-loving plants. Placing trailing succulents near radiators or furnaces in the winter may have an impact on their growth.
Outdoors in USDA zones 10 and 11, you may cultivate Senecio hippogriff. As a ground cover plant for full sun, the creeping vines with plump, fleshy leaves are ideal. Rock gardens or those that include dolphins’ cascading vines drape over walls or fences are also ideal locations for a string of dolphins.
In full sun to partial shade, the plant’s outdoor temperature range is 40°F to 70°F (4.5°C to 21°C). When the temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C), bring trailing succulent plants inside in temperate regions. The plant String of Dolphins isn’t frost tolerant.
String of Dolphins Humidity Recommendations
When growing indoors, a string of dolphins doesn’t need extra humidity. Drier air, as found in most homes, favours the dangling succulent stems and fleshy dolphin leaves. Dolphins like the humidity level to be less than 50%. Dolphin plants grown in warm weathers are seldom humid, and you should water them only occasionally.
You can minimize humidity concerns by watering dolphin plants fewer times if you reside in a damp environment. When the darling dolphin droplets fall off the plant, it’s one of the symptoms of too much humidity.
How to Fertilize String of Dolphins Trailing Plants
Dolphins hanging succulents aren’t heavy feeders, so they don’t need extra care. The plant thrives without it, despite the fact that some people fertilize the cascading succulents once or twice a year. It is more important to get growing conditions correct than it is to feed the trailing plant.
A balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer is recommended if you want to apply fertilizer to a string of dolphins. Use it to encourage vigorous growth in the early spring by diluting it to half-strength. For hanging basket plants like liquid kelp, worm compost, or fish emulsion, you can also use organic fertilizer.
How to Prune String of Dolphin Plants
To get rid of yellow or dead leaves or to regulate the plant’s trailing stems, prune a string of dolphins. More growth may be encouraged by pruning string succulents. With the severed pruned vine, several Senecio plants produce numerous stems. You can also improve the plant’s appearance by snipping off leggy stems.
The most frequent purpose for pruning Senecio hippogriff is for propagation, particularly the removal of leggy growth and dead dolphin leaves.
Propagating String of Dolphins
Cuttings from dolphin plants’ stems are the most effective way to propagate them. Long creeping stems root in soil without having to emerge from water first. Plant cuttings of healthy vines in the soil and you’ll have plenty of plants to take care of. New plants will sprout from the cuttings in a few weeks.
In water, it is feasible to grow a dolphin string. In comparison to rooting in soil, this propagation technique is generally slower. Using leaves to propagate dolphin plants is also beneficial. From stem cuttings, here’s how to grow a string of dolphins:
- From a healthy stem of dolphin plant, take a 3″ to 6″ (7.5 to 15 cm) cutting.
- To prevent moisture problems when propagating in soil, allow the stems to dry for a day.
- Fill a pot with a rich, succulent potting soil.
- In the potting soil, insert the severed ends of the stems 2 inches (5 cm).
- Out of reach of direct sunlight, put the cuttings in a warm area.
- To keep the earth slightly moist, mist the plants on a regular basis.
- When the cuttings have rooted after two to three weeks, you should see new plant development.
- Care for the newly propagated string as you would any other succulent.
Repotting String of Dolphins Hanging Succulents
Every two or three years, a string of dolphins benefits from being repotted. When it’s somewhat rootbound, this hanging succulent thrives best. You may refresh the soil and grow it in a bigger container by transferring the trailing plant to a new pot. This helps your plant flourish and grow healthily.
Pick one that is one to two sizes larger than the current size when deciding on the best pot for a string of dolphins. It’s crucial to verify that the pot has a drainage hole. Avoid waterlogged soil by planting the succulent in a hanging basket and ensuring that the pot allows excess moisture to drain away; otherwise, the roots will rot.
Pests Affecting String of Dolphins Growth
Dolphins are not typically affected by pests. Succulents are resistant to pests in general. Dolphin plants with care difficulties, on the other hand, may be infested by aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. Knowing how to recognize the symptoms of houseplant pests and reacting quickly is critical.
A neem oil spray is effective for treating a group of dolphins with houseplant pests. Add 2 tsp. of lukewarm water to a quart (1 liter) spray bottle. 1 tsp. of neem oil Castile soap made from liquid. thoroughly mix the ingredients To eliminate insects, spray the neem oil solution liberally on the leaves. Weekly applications of neem oil are needed to rid the home of the pests.
Diseases Affecting String of Dolphins
String of Dolphins rarely gets sick from houseplant diseases if they are treated properly. The most prevalent disease affecting dolphin plant development is root rot. The roots become mushy as a result of overwatering, and they begin to rot. When growing a string of dolphins, follow the watering instructions to avoid illness.
You should refrain from watering until the soil dries if you notice mushy stems or leaves near the soil line. Remember that, when dolphins are underwatered rather than overwatered, their string gets stronger. In order to propagate and trash the sick plant, you may need to chop off healthy roots in severe root rot situations.
Are String of Dolphin plants Toxic?
String of dolphins is not known to be harmful to cats or dogs. It’s worth noting, however, that the University of California researchers list a string of beads (Senecio rowleyanus) as mildly toxic in their research. Digestive discomfort may result from swallowing a string of beads, and dermatitis may occur from skin contact. If you have pets at home, be cautious with a string of dolphins.
FAQ — String of Dolphins Indoor Care
Easy-care hanging houseplant succulents include dolphin plants. You shouldn’t have many growing problems if the plants get enough sunlight and don’t sit in waterlogged soil. Brown or yellow foliage, as well as stunted development, may be caused by certain care concerns. Read on to learn why your dolphin string seems to be vanishing.
Why is my string of dolphins flat?
If the plant receives too much water, the little dolphin-shaped leaves might begin to flatten out. Before watering the soil, wait until it is dry before watering. The dolphin leaves should straighten up and resemble little dolphins leaping out of the water once you recognize this.
Why is my string of dolphins turning yellow?
Exposure to the sun causes the leaves of dolphin plants to turn yellow. The leaves may become pale green or yellow if they are exposed to strong sunlight for a long period of time. Remove your plant from the direct rays of the sun to help it recover.
Why does string of dolphins turn brown?
Overwatering or underwatering might explain the brown string of dolphin leaves. Check the soil’s dryness and watering strategy, and make necessary adjustments. Too much sunlight or the plant being too thirsty might cause brown tips on the leaves.
Why is my dolphin plant dying?
The most prevalent reasons why a group of dolphins starts to die are overwatering or severe underwatering. Wait until the soil dries before watering a dying string of dolphin succulent plant that has been overwatered. To help the soil revive, wet it with water if the potting soil is dry and the dolphin leaves look withered.