How to Grow & Care for Othonna Capensis ‘The RUBY Necklace plant’

Ruby Necklace plant is also known as String of Pickle. They belong to the family Asteraceae, which also has a relation with the Senecio genus which includes the popular String of Hearts, String of Dolphins, and String of Pearls. It has a spreading habit because it is a low-growing succulent, it has also an attractive look that is enough to attract others without any effort.

They have attractive trailing stems with plump, fleshy leaves that look when grown this way.  It can, however, be grown as a ground cover, but only in tropical climates. The delicate shape and red colors of these leaves are similar to precious gem pendants on necklaces, giving it the name ‘Ruby Necklace’. They are easy to grow and care for, you only need to have patience and courage to grow them.

Scientific Name	Othonna capensis
Common Name	String of Rubies, Ruby necklace, String of Pickles
Light	Bright direct light and low indirect light
Watering	Dry out thoroughly between waterings
Temperature	Above 50°F (10°C)
Hardiness Zone	USDA hardiness zone 9a to 11b
Humidity	Typical household humidity levels
Soil Type	Well-draining, acidic soil
Soil pH	pH between 6.0 and 6.5
Fertilizing	Beginning of the growing season they become straggly to rejuvenate growth.
Repotting	Beginning of the growing season they become straggly to rejuvenate growth.
Pruning	Beginning of the growing season, they become straggly to rejuvenate growth.
Propagation	Stem cuttings
Toxicity	Non-toxic to both humans and pets
Mature Size	2 inches tall
Bloom Time	Spring, Summer, Fall

How to Grow Othonna Capensis ‘String of Rubies’?

Othonna Capensis ruby necklace plant is the most beautiful succulent that is native to South Africa and it is easy to grow but you have to pay attention to it and need to maintain the environment of the plant.

If you want to grow them quickly in your garden, I would suggest cutting from the stem and starting the procedure. Because growing them from the seedling will take a lot of your time and you will have to wait and show patience. But if you grow by using the cutting of the stem method then it would be a great choice and you need to follow some steps:

• Make sure that your cutting has at least 2-3  nodes, this will show more positive results. 
• You have two options: one pot cutting the root in the soil and the second potting in water.
• If you pot the plant by stem cutting, you would know that it has higher success rates. There are fewer chances of getting rot.
• When you are going through the soil process of the potting, take the soil in the tray and fill it. 
• Prefer the succulent soil and put the stem cutting at the top of the soil.
• You need to keep the soil moist because it is needed until the new roots grow from the stem cutting.
• Remove the button leaves during the watering process, they will disturb your process.
• You need to make sure to submerge at least 1-2 nodes in water.
• Change the water of the plant once a week and then transfer the cutting to the soil and maintain the soil moisture.

How to Care String of Rubies?

To grow String of Rubies here are some basic requirements you need to consider such as:

• Light 
• Temperature
• Soil 
• Watering 
• Pruning 
• Potting and repotting 
• Fertilizer

Light

• Ruby necklace plant needs care and light is considered one of the most important needs. 
• You have to give them bright light and direct sunlight.
• Direct sunlight is loved by them.
• Perfect light should be given to them because they are sun-loving plants.
• 6 hours of sunlight daily is required if you want them to grow at their best.
• How to care string of rubies indoors, people mostly question this, you only need to make sure of the location of the plant.
• Locate them where they can get direct sunlight as much as they can.
• You need to keep them in a south-facing window.
• The plant grows with more colorful foliage depending on the quality of the sufficient light.

Watering

• Water is the main ingredient for any plant to get good results in the end.
• They have drought-tolerant characteristics.
• String of rubies watering time should be maintained. 
• You need to be careful in this matter, because as overwatering can disturb your plant underwatering can do as well.
• So avoid overwatering and underwatering too.
• You have to show patience unless the potting mix is dried out completely before watering. 

Temperature

• An ideal temperature should be given to the plant for its peak growth.
• The ideal temperature for this plant is above 50 F.
• You got to know that this plant loves a hot climate and a warm environment.
• Low temperatures should be avoided so that plants can survive more.
• The plant gets frozen in low temperature causing the plant to die. 

 Humidity

• You need to focus on the String of rubies humidity temperature, it has a lot of concern with the growth of the plant.
• You would be glad to know that a home humid area is enough to keep your plant healthy.
• Because they love humid areas, they love dry environments.
• You have to keep the environment humid if you want a proper growth of this plant.
• A humid area is required otherwise the plant gets too moist which may cause rotting.
• Don’t place String of Rubies in kitchens or bathrooms as here the humidity is already high and the plant can die. 

Soil

• If you are sincere about your plant and want it to grow best then provide it with a good soil mix.
• The soil mix should contain good properties and should be well-drawing and porous to drain the excess moisture.
• It is recommended that make your own soil mix and add all the nutrients and organic materials that provide high nutrients to your plant.
• The pH level of the soil should be between 6.0 to 6.5. 

Fertilizer

• You know already that fertilizer is everything for the life of a plant.
• But as per as this plant is concerned, they don’t need fertilizer much.
• If you want to give them fertilizer, then you can apply it in the spring and summer season.
• No doubt, when you add fertilizer to the plant, it boosts the growth of your plant.
• You can easily add the fertilizer twice a season.
• But for this what you have to do is, mix the fertilizer with perfect ratio and make sure to dilute the fertilizer.
• Make sure to follow the instructions that are mentioned in the fertilizer box.
• As you know excess of everything is bad so avoiding overfertilizing your plant will be your best decision.

Potting & Repotting

• If you are a beginner, you should know that repotting of String of Rubies will take around 2 to 3 years.
• They prefer to grow in smaller size pots.
• When you notice the roots are coming out of the pots then replace them and repot them in the bigger one.
• You need to select the container that is bigger than this and then repot the plant there.
• You have to put the fresh potting mix at the bottom of the container. 

Pruning

• Pruning is the most important thing for the plants.
• Trim the excess growth of the plant and you can give it the shape whatever you want.
• This will enhance the growth of your plant.
• This will help keep them tidy and aesthetic.
• This will prevent diseases and any other problems that your plant is going to face.
• You need to cut not more than a third of the plant’s whole size not bigger than this.

Conclusion

Ruby necklaces have attractive trailing stems with plump, fleshy leaves that look when grown this way.  They have delicate shapes and the red colors of these leaves are similar to precious gem pendants on necklaces, giving it the name ‘Ruby Necklace’.

They are easy to grow and care for, you only need to have patience and courage to grow them. You need to follow the step that tells you how to care Ruby Necklace plant. After this, you will be glad to see the positive results in your garden regarding this plant.

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