Also called Othonna Capensis, Ruby Necklace, Little Pickle, and String of Rubies, String of Pickles are eye-catching and easy-to-grow trailing succulents. A member of the Asteraceae family, you can characterize this unique plant by its reddish-purple stems and thin, bean-shaped leaves. The String of Rubies succulent is famous among all levels of gardeners for its color-changing foliage.
Since the String of Pickles is attractive and easy to care for, you must add this succulent to your houseplant collection. If you want to bring this plant to your home, here’s a complete guide to growing and caring for String of Rubies.
How to Care for String of Rubies
Native to South Africa, the String of Pickles can reward you with green foliage, reddish-purple stems, and soft yellow flowers almost all year round. The thick, oval-like leaves allow this plant to store water for a long time, making it resistant to drought. Though the care of the String of Rubies is undemanding and easy, you need to provide this plant with the following conditions for healthy growth.
a) Sunlight Requirements
This plant prefers direct, bright sunlight. Since this variant of succulent loves the sun, you need to put it in light for at least 6 hours daily. If you’re keeping your String of Rubies indoors, remember to place this succulent at a spot where it can receive as much bright light as possible. However, if you put this plant in full sun for a long time, the leaves will turn ruby red. Also, the lack of light can make it leggy.
b) Soil Requirements
The String of Pickles plants do well in loose, well-draining, acidic potting mix with a pH level between 6.0 to 6.5. Buy succulent or cactus soil — it is ideal for these plants. Alternatively, you can prepare your own mix by adding sand, perlite, and pumice to regular soil.
c) Water Requirements
Since the String of Rubies is a succulent plant, you don’t need to water it frequently. Wait for the soil of your plant to get dry between waterings. This can help you prevent root rot and encourage healthy growth. Also, don’t forget to make a small hole underneath the plant pot for drainage. Once the potting mix dries out, water Ruby Necklace thoroughly and let the excess water drain. Now, allow the soil to get dry before watering it again.
d) Temperature Requirements
The String of Rubies is a warm-weather succulent that can’t do well in cold climates. An ideal temperature range to help it grow well is 20°C to 27°C (68°F to 81°F). However, too-high temperature conditions can cause leaf drop. Also, avoid keeping this succulent in too-cold climates as it can’t do good when the temperature drops below 10°C or 50°F.
e) Humidity Requirements
The String of Pickles doesn’t need high humidity. This plant can do well in typical household humidity. Maintain good air circulation wherever you put this succulent to prevent or eliminate the chances of fungal infections. Also, if you’re growing it indoors, don’t place it near drafty or cold windows during winter, as it could get damaged or die in extremely low weather.
f) Fertilizer Requirements
Like most succulents, the String of Pickles doesn’t need regular fertilization. Since it is a low feeder, be careful with feeding. Too much fertilizer can damage the plant or burn its leaves. However, you can fertilize a few times during the growing season (spring and summer months) to boost new growth. Use a well-balanced succulent fertilizer for the best results. Remember to use a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen to help keep your plant in good condition.
Pruning String of Pickles
The String of Pickles requires pruning to maintain size and shape. This process involves the removal of dying or dead stems and leaves from the plant to keep it tidy. Prune the plant at the beginning of the growing season every year. There are several reasons to maintain regular trimming:
- It can help you keep your plant neat.
- It can prevent or eliminate the chances of disease spread.
- It can help you encourage new growth.
When pruning, never trim more than a third of the size of your String of Rubies. Also, don’t forget to disinfect or clean the tools you’re using for cutting to avoid any infection.
Propagating String of Pickles
Propagation is one of the simplest and quickest ways to make lots of plants from the mother plant. When it comes to propagating the String of Rubies succulent, stem division is the easiest method. Let’s talk about this in detail:
Propagate String of Pickles through Stem Division
Propagation of the String of Pickles is done through stem cuttings at the initial stage of the growing season. Here are the basic steps for successful propagation:
Step 1: Take a knife or pair of scissors and disinfect them with alcohol before directly using them for cutting.
Step 2: Cut off a few stems from the parent String of Rubies plant. Make sure each stem consists of at least 3 nodes.
Step 3: Place these cuttings in water or soil for propagation.
a) Propagate Using Water
If you want to propagate your String of Pickles using water, consider the following steps:
Step 1: Take the plant cuttings and detach the bottom leaves to uncover their stems and nodes.
Step 2: Place the cutting in a glass jar with filtered water. Make sure to dip at least 2 nodes in water.
Step 3: Wait for these stem cuttings to develop roots. This process may take a few weeks. If the water seems unclear during this period, you can consider changing it (optional).
Step 4: Once these stems shoot roots in water, transfer them to pots. Keep the potting mix moist in the initial period to encourage growth.
b) Propagate Using Soil
If you want to propagate the stem cuttings of String of Rubies directly in the soil, you should follow the steps below:
Step 1: Once you take cuttings, place them in a dry spot for a few days to air dry.
Step 2: Wait for these stem divisions to callous over. It will prevent root rotting.
Step 3: Plant the cuttings in a container with succulent or cactus potting mix.
Step 4: Pay attention and keep the soil moist (avoid overwatering) until you see new growth.
Though both propagation methods are effective, the success rate with soil is higher than with water.
Potting & Repotting String of Pickles
The String of Rubies doesn’t typically require to be repotted frequently. Also, this trailing plant prefers rootbound. That means repot it every two to three years to support better growth. While repotting, ensure the new pot you’re using is bigger than the last one. Also, don’t skip making a hole in that new container for adequate drainage. Moreover, though all types of pots can work for this plant, a terracotta container is the best pick. The material of this pot absorbs excess water, eliminating overwatering.
String of Pickles Pests & Diseases
The String of Pickles plant goes through different stages while growing. Yellow leaves, red spots, and discoloration are some symptoms that your plant is under the attack of pests and diseases. Some of them are:
- Mealybugs: These small, wax-covered insects can harm or kill your Ruby Necklace by sucking the sap. They usually appear when you over-fertilize or over-water your plant. Treat the affected plant with pressurized water, neem oil, or insecticidal soap to kill mealybugs.
- Scales: Scales are tiny, brown lumps that can appear on the stems and leaves of this plant. Inspect the plant regularly to spot these bugs. When you spot scales, remove infested stems and spray the rest of the parts with neem or horticultural oil.
Best Uses of String of Rubies
You can use the String of Pickles plant in the following ways for its unique texture and pattern.
- Add it to your indoor or outdoor as a trailing succulent. Plant it in a basket and hang it indoors or outdoors.
- Since String of Rubies is low-maintenance and self-spreading, you can use it to cover the ground.
- This plant isn’t fuzzy, making it perfect for gifting purposes.
String of Rubies Common Problems
The String of Pickles can suffer from several problems, including dropping leaves, elongated stems, and discolored leaves. Let’s read about these issues and their solutions.
- Dropping Leaves: Underwatering, soggy soil, and watering with cold water are common reasons that can lead to dropping leaves. To avoid this problem, fill the pot with free-draining soil and create a hole in the container for drainage. Also, do not overwater.
- Shrivelled (Wilted and Discolored) Leaves: This problem can occur due to overwatering in winter. Since the plant’s growth rate is low in the cold season, watering can make the soil soggy. Another possible reason for wilted or discolored leaves is underwatering in the growing season. To avoid it, water the plant only when the soil dries out.
- Elongated (Leggy) Stems: Overwatering and too little sunlight can lead to elongated or leggy stems. If you don’t want to face this problem, do not overwater and put the plant in a sunny spot.
- Brown, Dry Leaf Spots: The leaves of the String of Pickles can turn dry or brown due to underwatering. Water your plant regularly in the growing season and let the potting mix dry out between waterings, but do not overwater.
Toxicity towards Humans or Pets
If we talk about the toxicity of String of Pickles, there’s nothing to be worried about. This home-friendly succulent doesn’t contain toxic compounds, making it ideal for humans and pets. Unlike other toxic succulents, the leaves and sap of this plant don’t cause any skin allergies. However, it is not edible and may lead to an upset stomach when taken in large amounts. Since toddlers are quite explorative, keep the plant away from them as their guts are sensitive. Overall, this plant is completely safe for both humans and pets.
Conclusion
The String of Pickles is an attractive succulent variant with a trailing habit and fascinating color textures. The oval-shaped leaves of this plant make it drought-tolerant. This succulent doesn’t need frequent watering as its fleshy leaves and stems store enough moisture. To help this trailing plant grow well, all you have to do is plant it in moist soil and keep it in the sunlight. Bring these gorgeous trailing succulents as soon as you can to add beauty and colors to your home or garden.
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