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Looking for a low-maintenance houseplant to spruce up your home? Look no further than the ruby necklace plant!
Ruby Necklace Plant Care Key Takeaways:
- The Ruby Necklace plant thrives with full or partial sun exposure, well-draining soil, and moderate watering.
- Ensure the soil is dry before watering again, and fertilize monthly with a succulent fertilizer.
- For pest control, use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- This low-maintenance succulent transforms in color with sunlight, making it a vibrant addition to your indoor garden.
The ruby necklace is a beautiful indoor plant that is easy to care for and doesn’t require a lot of light or water. In this blog post, we will discuss ruby necklace plant care so that it stays healthy and happy!
What Is A Ruby Necklace Plant?
The ruby necklace plant (Othonna capensis) is a trailing evergreen from South Africa. It is closely related to the String Of Pearls Senecio rowleyanus and looks very similar.
But the leaves on this plant are longer and bean-shaped instead of round like on the string of pearls.
This plant is also known as Little Pickles and the leaves do actually resemble small pickles.
This plant also can turn pink, purple, and red with enough sunlight which explains its common name.
Ruby Necklace Plant Care
If you are one of those people who is afraid to try new plants, the Ruby Necklace Plant is a great one to start with.
This succulent is very easy to care for and does not require a lot of water or maintenance.
The Ruby Necklace Plant also has a beautiful two-toned stem and leaves, making it an attractive addition to any garden or home.
Here are some tips on how to care for a ruby necklace plant:
1. The Ruby Necklace Plant does best in full sun or partial sun.
2. Keep the soil moist, but not wet.
3. When watering, water generously and then allow the soil to dry before watering again.
4. Fertilize once a month with a succulent fertilizer.
5. Pinch off any dead or brown leaves to keep the plant looking healthy.
6. If you see any pests, such as aphids or mealybugs, treat them with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
If you follow these tips, your Ruby Necklace Plant should stay healthy and happy!
Ruby Necklace Plant Indoor Care
Lighting Requirements
This plant does well in sunlight in fact the more sun it gets the redder it turns. So don’t be afraid to hang it in a south-facing window.
With lower light levels it will be green and is still a very attractive plant when green. As light exposure increases so will it’s color.
Watering The Ruby Necklace Plant
The best way to water your Ruby Necklace Plant is by giving it a good, deep watering and then waiting for the soil to dry before watering again.
These plants can get root rot if they are overwatered so they should not be on a watering schedule but instead watered whenever they are dry.
This will ensure that the plant gets enough water, but does not become waterlogged.
Ruby Necklace Temperature
This is not a cold weather succulent so keep your temperature above 50° and it will be fine.
Generally, household temperature and humidity will work just fine. Avoid cold drafts or placing them by heating and cooling vents.
Soil For Othonna capensis
This plant needs a well-draining potting mix. You can amend any regular potting mix by adding additional perlite or you can use a cactus or succulent mix.
Sand is often recommended as a soil additive but it is heavy and can compact. Coco coir mixed 50/50 with perlite is a much better alternative.
Fertilizing Ruby Necklace Succulent
The ruby necklace plant is not a heavy feeder so it does not require regular fertilization.
However, it can be fertilized a couple of times throughout the spring and summer months to help it fill out the pot.
Be careful not to over-fertilize. You can use any balanced fertilizer or one designed for succulents and cactus specifically.
It is a good idea to feed at half the recommended strength, especially for plants that are not heavy feeders.
Ruby Necklace Plant Propagation
The Ruby Necklace succulent is very easy to propagate. You can take stem cuttings about 4-6 inches long.
Strip off lower leaves on the bottom leaving 2-3 bare nodes.They will root in soil or in water.
You can use this technique to make your basket fuller and plant cuttings directly back into the pot they came from.
Pruning
This plant really does not need pruning except perhaps to even up the vine lengths or for propagating material.
Is Ruby Necklace Toxic?
Othonna capensis is considered non-toxic to pets and humans but it is a good idea to keep all houseplants out of the reach of children and pets that might try to eat them.
How to get rid of pests on your Ruby Necklace plant
Sucking insects like scale or mealy bugs are common indoor plant pests so you should keep an eye out for them.
If you see pests on your Ruby Necklace Plant, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them.
First, try treating the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil. If this does not work, you may need to use a stronger pesticide.
Be sure to follow the instructions on the label and only apply the pesticide to the affected areas.
You should also take steps to prevent pests from coming back, such as removing any dead leaves or debris from around the plant.
Ruby Necklace FAQs
Embarking on the journey of Ruby Necklace plant care is a rewarding experience.
These charming succulents, with their color-changing leaves, are a topic of excitement.
Below are some frequently asked questions that can shed light on nurturing your Ruby Necklace plant to its full glory.
Q. How much sunlight does a Ruby Necklace plant require?
A. Ruby Necklace plants thrive in full to partial sun. They can become more colorful with increased light, turning pink, purple, or red.
While they can tolerate lower light levels and remain green, a south-facing window is ideal to provide the sunlight they need to exhibit their vibrant colors.
Q. How often do you water a ruby Necklace plant?
A. Water the Ruby Necklace plant thoroughly, allowing the soil to dry out completely before the next watering.
The frequency will depend on the climate and the environment, but ensuring the soil is dry before re-watering will help prevent over-watering and root rot.
Checking the moisture level by sticking your finger into the soil is a good practice to determine when it’s time to water again.
Q. How large does Ruby Necklace grow?
A. The Ruby Necklace plant typically has a trailing or cascading growth habit rather than a tall or wide one.
It can trail over the edges of its container and reach lengths of up to 2 to 3 feet.
Its spread or width will depend on the size of the container it’s in and whether it’s been pruned or pinched back to encourage fuller growth.
The plant itself doesn’t grow very tall, as it’s more of a spreading and trailing plant.
Q. Is a ruby Necklace plant a succulent?
A. Yes, the Ruby Necklace plant (Othonna capensis) is a succulent.
It stores water in its leaves, stems, and roots which allows it to thrive in arid conditions.
Its succulent nature is also what makes it a relatively low-maintenance plant, requiring less frequent watering compared to other houseplants.
Ruby Necklace Plant Care Final Thoughts
If you are looking for an easy-to-care-for succulent, the Ruby Necklace Plant is a great option.
This plant does not require a lot of water or maintenance and has a beautiful two-toned stem and leaves.
So if you are new to gardening or just want an attractive addition to your home, the Ruby Necklace Plant is definitely worth considering.
