Ruby Necklace Succulent Plant (Othonna capensis) Profile

Written by Iris
Ruby Necklace Plant, also known as Othonna capensis, is a distinct species from South Africa. This trailing Ruby Necklace Plant features long purple stems of green bead-like fleshy leaves. Ruby Necklace Plant will bloom in spring with beautiful daisy-like yellow flowers. A must for a hanging pot or wall, Ruby Necklace Plant is a great indoor and outdoor plant.

Ruby Necklace Succulent Plant Picture

 

Ruby Necklace Succulent Plant Info

Botanical Name Othonna capensis 
 Common Name String of rubies, Ruby Necklace Plant, string of pickles, Ruby Necklace Succulent
 Plant Type Succulent 
Mature Size  2 inches tall 
Sun Exposure  Direct sun 
Soil Type  Well-draining, cactus/succulent soil 
Soil pH  6.0-6.5 
Bloom Time  Spring, summer, fall 

Ruby Necklace Succulent Plant Ecological Habits

Ruby Necklace Plant (Othonna Capensis) is a charming purple flushing perennial succulent in the Compositae family. Often called the little pickles ruby necklace Plant, it is a popular houseplant. The Ruby Necklace Plant, native to South Africa, is adapted to arid, rocky environments and uses underground storage organs to survive, allowing them to grow without soil. The ruby necklace succulent Plant requires less frequent watering and some bright sunlight. The Ruby necklace succulent Plant forms a charming trailing stem with succulent oval leaves that are dark green with a lovely purple flush. Plants will develop a more intense purple color under more light. But be careful, as even succulents will burn, allowing the plants to gradually adapt to strong sunlight. The flowers are small and yellow, similar to daisies, and they contrast beautifully with the purple leaves.

Ruby Necklace Succulent Plant Distribution

This species is is endemic to the Eastern Cape Province in semi-arid Karoo scrub and dry, rocky flats, often in the partial protection of surrounding vegetation or rocks.

How to Grow and Care for Ruby Necklace Succulent Plant

How to Grow Ruby Necklace Succulent Plant

  • With Seeds
Ruby Necklace Succulent Plant (Othonna capensis) seed breeding can be done, and growing Ruby Necklace Plant from seeds is a very simple process.
Seed pods are located at the tips of completely dried flowers and should be removed carefully.
Sterilize dry soil in the microwave for 90 seconds. This will kill harmful bacteria.
Dry the succulent seeds of the Ruby Necklace Plant and plant them under the top layer of the soil.
Place in indirect sunlight or growth light. Cover the soil with a plastic or glass lid to retain moisture.
After a month, it will grow young saplings that can be transferred to a larger pot.
  • With Cuttings
The ruby necklace plant (Othonna capensis) is very easy to reproduce succulent on stems.
Just cut with a clean, sterilized cutting tool and let it harden for an hour or two.
Use rooting hormone when potting in soil.
During reproduction through the stem, fragile leaves may be shed from the stem.
  • With Leaves
Spreading the Ruby Necklace Succulent Plant through leaves is very difficult and almost impossible.
However, if you find broken healthy leaves with small stems, throw them into the same pot.
  • With Division
Ruby necklace plant (Othonna capensis) reproduction by roots is also a simple process.
When the Ruby Necklace Succulent Plant has long branching stems, you might notice that aerial rooting occurs after some intervals in the stems. From then on, do a clean cut on the Ruby Necklace Plant 1 inch below the root using a clean sterilized cutting tool, and wait for the callus for 1 to 2 hours before potting it into damp soil. Put it in indirect bright sunlight.

How to Care for Ruby Necklace Succulent Plant

  • Light
The Leaves on the Ruby Necklace Plant (Othonna capensis) will also start to turn purple if you give the Ruby Necklace Plant continuous bright light. Four to six hours in the morning sun, bright light continues in indirect light. Avoid afternoon sun or even bright light in summer.
  • Soil
Ruby Necklace Plant (Othonna capensis) naturally grows in South Africa where the porous soil gives them well drainage. So you'll also need the same type of well drainage soil for it to grow well. If you need to make your soil, you can check my in-depth guide on preparing the perfect DIY succulent soil for containers. You can also get the pre-mixed gritty mix succulent soil from amazon.
  • Water
Ruby Necklace Succulent Plant (Othonna capensis) requires the typical succulent watering schedule. It is best to water once the soil is totally dry. Otherwise, the roots of Ruby Necklace Succulent Plant may rot in wet soil.
  • Temperature and Humidity
The Ruby Necklace Plant (Othonna capensis) is not a cold weather succulent and does best in warmer temperatures. Never let your Ruby Necklace Plant sit in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) for extended periods of time.
  • Fertilizer
The best thing about the Ruby Necklace Plant Succulent plant is that it is efficient in fertilization. Ruby Necklace Succulent Plant doesn’t need a lot of fertilization because what matters to it is the place where he grows. For fertilization, Ruby Necklace Plant (Othonna capensis) only needs once or twice a year. This is because the Ruby Necklace Plant Succulent ornamental plants are resistant to plant pests.
  • Pests and Diseases
Watch out for common sap-sucking houseplant pests such as mealybugs and scale on your string of rubies. Regularly inspecting the succulent and catching any pests early is the best way to prevent more serious infestations. Treat affected plants with rubbing alcohol, neem oil, or insecticidal soap to get rid of unwanted pests.
 

Uses of Ruby Necklace Succulent Plant

Depending on your setting, othonna can be an extremely versatile plant. Some of its uses include:
  • In containers or hanging baskets planted as a trailing succulent
  • Stabilizing banks
  • Coastal gardens in full sun
  • Border planting
  • Retaining walls
  • Ground cover
  • Interplanting
  • Rock gardens
  • Wild gardens
  • Edging
  • Filler
With their dainty daisy-like flowers and attractive, fleshy leaves Othonna is a great choice for succulent hanging baskets, houseplant, greenhouse specimen, container plant to be carried indoors or outdoors, weather permitting, or outdoors year-round in a conducive rock garden or desert settings.

Ruby Necklace Succulent Plant Common Pests/Diseases

Watch out for common sap-sucking houseplant pests such as mealybugs and scale on your string of rubies. Regularly inspecting the Ruby Necklace succulent and catching any pests early is the best way to prevent more serious infestations. Treat affected plants with rubbing alcohol, neem oil, or insecticidal soap to get rid of unwanted pests.

Ruby Necklace Succulent Plant Design Tips

Balcony/Patio Plant

Ruby Necklace Plant Succulent is a plant that usually adorns balconies in luxury homes. It is not a cheap ornamental plant, but an expensive plant in terms of interest and makes many people like it. There are several reasons why Ruby Necklace Plant is suitable for planting on the balcony. First: Ruby Necklace Plant only requires a little water so it doesn't cause your balcony to get dirty with running water. So, he can survive well without any special attention. Even if it is watered excessively it can cause the roots to rot and eventually die.
Second: Why the Ruby Necklace Plant Succulent is good for planting on the balcony is because it only takes up less space to grow and a little light. Then the balcony is very suitable as the place. Besides being good on the balcony, it is also good for planting on the terrace because of its excellent growth properties when planted hanging in a basket.

Potted Specimen

Ruby Necklace Plant is a succulent plant that is good in specimen planting. It doesn’t need a lot of water and is good for growing in pots. even during the experiment, Ruby Necklace Plant was not worried about wilting because it could store a lot of water in its leaves.

Hanging Basket

The Ruby Necklace Plant Succulent is not only great as a specimen plant, it is also one of the best plants to grow in a pot or hanging basket. The growth that dangles down is very good when planted in hanging baskets. It also needs good airflow so that its presence in the pot depends very freely for its growth. With a hanging basket it can also get more light.

Ruby Necklace Succulent Plant Companion Plants

Companion plants for Ruby Necklace Plant are Black Prince Succulent Plant, Sempervivum calcareum.