Can anyone tell me what is wrong with my string of pearls plant please

[cosmopolitanplease]

I've had it a few months and it seems to be dwindling away. It hangs in an east facing window in a pot with drainage, I give it a bit of water maybe once a week.

Thanks!

Hi, do water it from the bottom? Also they don’t need watering more than once every two weeks.

I own a florist/house plant shop.

No I water it from the top! I will start watering it from the bottom and less often. Thank you!

I keep mine in a south facing room, not in direct sunlight. Not much water at all, you know when it needs water as the pearls are not as 'plump'. I always water it from the top and that seems to work well for it!

Well that is why I had the urge to water it, the pearls have definitely lost their plumpness!

I've just realised I can't water it from the bottom as it doesn't have a saucer under the main pot - this is also why I can't easily move it just anywhere, as when it's watered it leaks on whatever surface it's over! That's why it's where it is, over a sink.

Looking at my own photos it looks even worse than I'd thought, all shrivelled and straggly.

I think it probably wants more light. From your photo, it looks as though it gets morning sun and then is in shade all afternoon.

Definitely also change how you water it. Succulents don’t welcome getting a bit of water, frequently. When you do water it, give it a proper drink, so it can plump up all the pearls again. Water it about fortnightly in summer, and monthly in winter.

I agree with PP's comments. I find this sort of succulent roots well from cuttings, if you would like to start again: www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/string-of-pearls/rooting-string-of-pearls-cuttings.htm

I have never grown anything from a cutting but would love to give it a try, thanks!

I think I had better repot it in a pot with a saucer tray underneath and move it to a sunnier spot. Would all purpose compost be very bad to use? Thanks for your help everyone.

Ideally all plants need to be watered from the bottom, it stops root rot. It’s best to keep it in the nursery pot then you can take it out and stick it in the sink with a few inches of water for 10/20 minutes once every couple of weeks for a good drink.

Have you ever fed it? Now as a good time to start using a house plant food every few weeks.

This is mine growing in my porch (north-West facing). I have been a cactus and Succulent grower for many years, so have just a bit of experience!
It is watered from the top, but only every few weeks or so, the leaves will deflate a bit when it needs water. I’m not sure why the top growth of yours has dried up - it could be from overwatering, if it has never had the chance to dry out properly, but also from being baked by hot sun!
The leaves on the lower stems actually show lack of light, they should be quite globular in shape.
When grown in good conditions it does flower in the winter months - tine shaving brush flowers with a lovely clove scent. Mine doesn’t flower , probably because it doesn’t get quite enough sun.

That's impressive, Nan!

That is beautiful Nan, I wish mine looked like that!

The Latin name is Curio rowleyanus, named after Gordon Rowley, who was President of the British Cactus and Succulent Society. He died just a few years ago at the age of 98. He also has a few other plants named for him.
(it used to be called Senecio rowleyanus, but the taxonomists have renamed it.)
My plant is the variegated form, which in strong light takes on a purple tinge - it’s too shaded where it is for that.