Ruby Necklace Plant care indoors is fairly simple once you understand how this trailing succulent grows.
Ruby Necklace plants are grown for their colorful trailing stems, bean-shaped leaves, and ability to turn shades of red, purple, and pink in brighter light.
This guide covers watering, lighting, soil mix, fertilizer, propagation, pruning, and common indoor growing problems.
What You’ll Learn
- ☀️ How sunlight affects Ruby Necklace color
- 💧 Why overwatering causes the most problems
- 🪴 The best soil mix for trailing succulents
- 🌱 How to propagate Ruby Necklace cuttings
- 🏡 Why this succulent works well indoors
What Is A Ruby Necklace Plant?
The Ruby Necklace plant (Othonna capensis) is a trailing succulent from South Africa grown for its colorful stems and narrow bean-shaped leaves.
It is closely related to the String Of Pearls plant but develops longer leaves and brighter purple-red coloring in stronger sunlight.
This succulent works especially well in hanging baskets, shelves, and bright indoor windows.
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.
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
Ruby Necklace plants grow best in bright light and develop deeper red and purple coloring with increased sun exposure.
Lower light conditions usually produce greener growth while brighter windows encourage more vibrant colors.
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.
Avoid Fixed Watering Schedules
Ruby Necklace plants should be watered based on how dry the soil becomes rather than by the calendar.
Light levels, temperature, humidity, and container size all affect how quickly the soil dries indoors.
Overwatering is one of the fastest ways to damage trailing succulents like Ruby Necklace.
Ruby Necklace TemperatureRuby Necklace plants are not frost tolerant and should be protected from cold windows and freezing temperatures indoors.
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
Ruby Necklace Plant FAQs
How often should I water a Ruby Necklace plant?
Water only after the soil dries out fully. Overwatering can quickly lead to root rot in trailing succulents.
Does Ruby Necklace need direct sunlight?
Ruby Necklace grows best in bright light and develops deeper red and purple colors with increased sunlight.
What soil is best for Ruby Necklace plants?
A fast-draining succulent mix works best. A coco coir and perlite mix also works very well indoors.
Can Ruby Necklace grow indoors?
Yes. Ruby Necklace adapts very well to indoor growing when placed near a bright window with proper drainage.
How do you propagate Ruby Necklace plants?
Ruby Necklace plants are easy to propagate from stem cuttings rooted in soil or water.
Why is my Ruby Necklace turning green?
Lower light levels often cause Ruby Necklace plants to lose some of their purple and red coloring.
Ruby Necklace Plant Care Final Thoughts
Ruby Necklace is one of the easiest trailing succulents to grow indoors thanks to its colorful stems, lower watering needs, and fast-growing vines.
With bright light, fast-draining soil, and careful watering, this succulent can thrive indoors while developing the deep purple and ruby tones that make it so popular.
If you enjoy colorful trailing succulents, you may also like learning more about the benefits of succulent plants.