Overview

Introduce a touch of vibrant elegance to your indoor garden with the stunning string of rubies succulent (Othonna capensis). This captivating live plant is renowned for its unique cascading growth habit and brilliantly colored foliage, making it a favorite among succulent enthusiasts and plant lovers alike. Also commonly known as the Ruby Necklace plant, Othonna capensis features long, slender stems adorned with bean-like leaves that can range in color from lush green to deep purple or burgundy, especially when exposed to ample sunlight. The stems themselves are a striking ruby red, adding to its allure. Originating from South Africa, this fast-growing, trailing succulent is perfect for hanging baskets, elevated planters, or as a vibrant accent on shelves, allowing its beautiful ‘strings’ to drape gracefully. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a low-maintenance yet visually impactful houseplant.

The Othonna capensis is a truly distinctive succulent that promises to be a conversation starter. Its easy-going nature makes it suitable for both seasoned plant parents and beginners eager to add a splash of color to their collection. The ‘String of Rubies’ name perfectly captures its appearance, with each stem resembling a delicate necklace of precious gems. Beyond its ornamental value, this resilient plant adapts well to various indoor environments, provided its basic care requirements are met, ensuring a long-lasting display of its unique beauty. Cultivating a string of rubies succulent is not just about owning a plant; it’s about embracing a living piece of art that continuously evolves and brightens its surroundings.

Key Benefits

The string of rubies succulent offers a myriad of benefits beyond its undeniable beauty, making it a highly desirable addition to any plant collection. Its unique characteristics contribute to a more vibrant and engaging indoor environment, while its robust nature ensures enjoyment for years to come.

• Stunning Visual Appeal: The most striking feature of the Othonna capensis is its dramatic color transformation. The bean-like leaves shift from green to deep purples and reds, especially with good light exposure, creating a dynamic visual display. The contrasting ruby-red stems further enhance its ornamental value, making it a true showstopper.
• Elegant Trailing Habit: This trailing succulent live plant is ideal for hanging baskets, tall shelves, or macrame hangers, where its long, cascading stems can truly shine. Its graceful drape adds a soft, organic touch to any space, creating a sense of natural elegance and flow.
• Low Maintenance & Drought Tolerant: As a succulent, the String of Rubies is incredibly forgiving and requires minimal attention. It thrives on neglect, preferring to dry out between waterings, making it a perfect choice for busy individuals or those new to plant care.
• Year-Round Interest with Flowers: While primarily grown for its foliage, the Othonna capensis also produces small, cheerful yellow daisy-like flowers. These charming blooms can appear throughout the year on tall red stems, adding an unexpected pop of color and texture.
• Unique Foliage Texture: The distinctive bean-shaped leaves provide an interesting textural element that sets it apart from other succulents. This unique foliage contributes to a diverse and engaging plant display.
• Compact & Versatile Size: Despite its trailing nature, the plant remains relatively compact in its root system and initial growth, making it suitable for smaller spaces or as part of a larger succulent arrangement. Its adaptable nature allows for various display options.
• Easy Propagation: The ruby necklace plant is known for being relatively easy to propagate from stem cuttings, allowing enthusiasts to expand their collection or share with friends without much effort. This makes it a rewarding plant for those who enjoy growing new plants.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your string of rubies succulent is straightforward, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced plant parents. Understanding its basic needs will ensure your Othonna capensis thrives and displays its most vibrant colors. This succulent prefers bright, indirect light to full sun. For the most intense ruby-red coloration, aim for at least 4-6 hours of direct morning sun or very bright, filtered light throughout the day. If grown indoors, a south or west-facing window is ideal. Insufficient light may result in greener foliage and leggy growth, so adjust its position as needed to encourage compact and colorful development. Proper light exposure is key to achieving the striking hues of this beautiful plant.

When it comes to watering, the ‘String of Rubies’ follows typical succulent rules: less is more. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, then water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Overwatering is the most common cause of problems, leading to root rot. During winter dormancy, reduce watering frequency significantly. A well-draining soil mix is crucial, ideally a specialized succulent or cactus blend. You can also create your own by mixing potting soil with perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage. The plant is quite hardy and can tolerate temperatures between 40-80°F (4-27°C), making it suitable for USDA zones 9-11 outdoors, and a robust indoor plant year-round. Fertilize sparingly during the growing season (spring and summer) with a diluted succulent fertilizer, roughly once a month. This othonna capensis care guide emphasizes minimal intervention for optimal growth.

While generally low-maintenance, keep an eye out for common succulent pests like mealybugs or spider mites, though they are not frequent visitors. Good air circulation also helps prevent fungal issues. Trimming your string of rubies succulent as needed will encourage bushier growth and can be done to maintain its desired shape and length. These cuttings can then be used for propagation, allowing you to easily multiply your collection. Ensure that the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, which is detrimental to the plant’s health. With these simple guidelines, your charming String of Rubies will flourish, bringing continuous beauty to your home.

Size & Details

This offering is for one string of rubies succulent (Othonna capensis) live plant, delivered in a 2.5 inch pot. At the time of shipping, the plant will have established roots and healthy trailing stems, ready to continue its growth in your home. While the exact length of the trailing stems will vary, they typically arrive with a good start, allowing for immediate visual impact. The Othonna capensis is a fast-growing succulent, capable of producing long trails that can extend several feet over time, especially when given optimal conditions and space to grow.

When mature, the plant itself typically maintains a low profile in height, usually not exceeding 2-3 inches before its stems begin to trail downwards. The vibrant ruby-red stems and variable green to purple foliage create a striking contrast. It will be shipped in its nursery pot with well-draining soil, carefully packaged to ensure its safe arrival. Expect continuous growth and the potential for small yellow daisy-like flowers throughout the year, adding an extra layer of charm to this already captivating plant. This succulent houseplant for sale is a fantastic way to add unique texture and color to your living space.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The String of Rubies (Othonna capensis) itself grows to about 2-3 inches in height before its stems begin to trail. The trailing stems can grow quite long, often several feet, depending on conditions and age, creating a beautiful cascading effect.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: This string of rubies succulent is shipped in a 2.5 inch pot, providing a good starting point for its continued growth and development in your home. You can repot it into a slightly larger pot as it grows.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: While it can be grown outdoors in USDA zones 9-11, the String of Rubies is widely cherished as an indoor houseplant in most climates. It thrives indoors with sufficient light, making it a versatile choice.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This succulent prefers bright, indirect light to full sun. For the best coloration of its ruby stems and leaves, provide at least 4-6 hours of direct morning sun or very bright, filtered light throughout the day.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the othonna capensis care requirements are relatively simple, making it an excellent choice for beginners. It’s a drought-tolerant succulent that thrives on minimal watering and bright light.
• Q: Is it good for beginners? A: Absolutely! Its forgiving nature and low maintenance needs make the ruby necklace plant an ideal succulent for those new to plant care or anyone looking for an easy-to-grow yet visually stunning plant.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your succulent houseplant for sale will arrive as a healthy, established live plant in its nursery pot, carefully packaged to minimize stress during transit and ensure it reaches you in excellent condition.
• Q: When is the best time to plant or repot? A: The best time to repot your String of Rubies is during its active growing season, typically spring or early summer. This allows the plant to quickly establish itself in its new container.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature it can tolerate? A: The String of Rubies can tolerate temperatures down to about 40°F (4°C). If growing outdoors, it should be brought inside or protected from frost when temperatures drop below this range.
• Q: How often should I water my String of Rubies? A: Water thoroughly only when the soil has completely dried out. This could be every 2-4 weeks depending on humidity, light, and pot size. Always err on the side of underwatering rather than overwatering.