Othonna Capensis String Of Rubies
Othonna capensis (String of Rubies)
Care Snapshot in Plain English
Othonna capensis, commonly called String of Rubies, is a trailing succulent perennial grown for its bead-like stems that turn red only under bright light.
Proper String of Rubies care means giving it strong sun, withholding water until the stems begin to wrinkle, and accepting that it prefers neglect over attention.
The plant contains sesquiterpene lactones, which make it toxic if chewed, causing mild irritation or stomach upset rather than serious harm. Treat it as décor, not a snack, and it will behave itself.
Introduction & Identity
At first glance, String of Rubies looks like something that should come in a velvet box, not a nursery pot.
Those glossy, jewel-toned strands tempt people to fuss over it, which is exactly the wrong instinct. This plant does best when admired more than handled.
Botanically, it is Othonna capensis, sometimes sold under trade names like Ruby Necklace or Little Pickles, all of which refer to its trailing habit and bead-shaped succulent leaves. It belongs to the Asteraceae family, the same broad plant family as daisies, which explains why its flowers look like miniature yellow daisies when it decides to bloom.
In the wild, it comes from South Africa, where it grows in bright, open conditions with dry soil and quick drainage.
Its growth habit is trailing rather than upright, with thin stems that spill over pot edges and store water internally.
Those stems contain sesquiterpene lactones, a group of bitter-tasting defensive compounds plants use to discourage grazing. In practical terms, these compounds primarily cause irritation rather than severe poisoning. If a pet or child chews on the plant, the most likely outcome is mild digestive upset or skin sensitivity, not a medical emergency.
This distinction matters, because String of Rubies is often labeled as dangerously toxic when it is more accurately described as unpleasant to eat.
Quick Care Snapshot
| Factor | Ideal Range |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright light with direct sun |
| Temperature | 65–80°F, which means normal indoor warmth |
| Humidity | Low to average household humidity |
| Soil pH | Slightly acidic to neutral, roughly pH 6–7, meaning not chalky or alkaline |
| USDA Zone | 10–11, which means frost-free outdoor climates only |
| Watering Trigger | Visible stem wrinkling |
| Fertilizer | Light feeding during active growth |
Those numbers sound technical, but in real life they translate to simple habits. Bright light means a sunny window where you could comfortably read without turning on a lamp.
A south-facing window is ideal, while west-facing light works if the plant is adjusted gradually. Temperature ranges reflect what most homes already provide, so there is no need to chase warmth or coolness unless the plant sits near a draft or heater.
What not to do is just as important as what to do. Do not assume that warmth means thirst, because higher temperatures without strong light do not increase water use. Do not raise humidity on purpose, because this plant evolved in dry air and excess moisture invites fungal problems.
Do not fertilize heavily, because fast, soft growth stretches and weakens the stems rather than improving color or health.
The watering trigger is especially important. Wrinkled stems are the plant’s way of telling you it has used up its stored water. Watering before this point keeps the soil wet while the roots are still full, which deprives them of oxygen and leads to rot.
Fertilizer should be mild and occasional during spring and summer only. Feeding in low light or winter encourages weak growth that cannot support itself.
Where to Place It in Your Home
Placement is the single biggest factor in whether String of Rubies looks ruby or just vaguely green. A south-facing window is the gold standard because it provides enough direct sun to stimulate red pigmentation.
That red color comes from anthocyanins, protective pigments the plant produces when light is strong. Without enough light, the plant stays green no matter how carefully you water.
West-facing windows can work well, especially for apartments without southern exposure, but the plant should be introduced gradually.
Sudden exposure to hot afternoon sun can stress stems that were grown in softer nursery light. East-facing windows are acceptable if expectations are adjusted, because the plant will likely stay greener and grow a bit longer between leaf nodes. North-facing windows are typically insufficient and lead to stretching and color loss.
Do not place this plant in bathrooms, even bright ones, because humidity stays high and light levels fluctuate. Do not set it far back in a room thinking ambient light counts, because it does not. Dark corners and shelves away from windows encourage weak, elongated growth that never recovers its compact look.
Also avoid cold drafts and heater vents, since rapid temperature swings stress the stems and dry them unevenly.
A simple but often overlooked habit is light rotation. Turning the pot ninety degrees once a month keeps growth even on all sides. Without rotation, stems lean toward the brightest direction, leading to one-sided trailing and uneven coloration that looks messy rather than lush.
Potting Instructions
New owners often rush to repot String of Rubies into a large decorative container, which feels generous but usually backfires. Oversized pots hold excess moisture because there is more soil than roots to absorb water.
That lingering moisture suffocates roots and invites rot. Drainage holes are non-negotiable, because water needs a way to exit the pot rather than pooling at the bottom.
Terracotta is beginner-friendly because it breathes and allows moisture to evaporate through the sides, giving roots access to oxygen. Plastic pots are not forbidden, but they require more restraint with watering because they trap moisture longer. Garden soil should never be used, because it compacts and excludes air.
Regular potting soil alone is also too dense for a trailing succulent.
A succulent mix simply means soil that drains quickly and does not stay wet. A practical blend is potting soil lightened with coarse sand or perlite so water moves through instead of lingering. Repotting is only necessary when roots fill the pot or growth slows despite good light.
Frequent repotting stresses the plant by breaking fine roots that handle water uptake.
Watering Guide
In spring and summer, String of Rubies grows more actively and uses water faster, especially under strong light. Watering during this period follows a rhythm based on the plant’s signals rather than the calendar. In fall and winter, growth slows and water demand drops, so watering must be reduced accordingly.
Continuing a summer routine in winter is the most common cause of failure.
Light intensity dictates water use. Bright light increases photosynthesis, which increases water demand.
Low light slows everything down.
Overwatering in low light is especially dangerous because the roots cannot use the water before oxygen is depleted.
Checking readiness to water involves more than touching the soil surface. Wrinkled stems indicate depleted internal reserves. Dry soil throughout the pot confirms it.
A lighter pot tells you water is gone.
A sour or musty smell signals trouble and means watering should stop, not increase.
Bottom watering is a useful technique for this plant. The pot sits in water and absorbs moisture from below, which keeps the stem base drier.
This reduces the risk of rot at soil-line nodes, a common weak point in trailing succulents.
Physiology-Based Explanation
The stems of String of Rubies act as water storage organs, swelling when hydrated and shrinking as reserves are used.
This internal firmness is called turgor pressure, which simply means how full and rigid the cells are. When turgor drops, the stems wrinkle.
The plant uses a flexible photosynthetic strategy known as CAM–C3 facultative metabolism.
In plain language, it can adjust how it exchanges gases depending on conditions, conserving water in bright, dry environments. Roots need oxygen to function, and when soil stays wet, oxygen is displaced, causing root hypoxia, which is oxygen deprivation.
Anthocyanins, the pigments responsible for the ruby color, act as sunscreen, protecting tissues from excess light.
Common Problems
Why is my String of Rubies turning green?
Green growth means light is insufficient. Biologically, the plant stops producing anthocyanins when protection is no longer needed. The fix is brighter light.
Do not compensate with fertilizer, because nutrients cannot replace light and will only weaken growth.
Why are the stems wrinkling?
Wrinkling usually means water reserves are low.
The fix is a thorough watering followed by patience.
Do not water repeatedly, because overcorrection leads to rot rather than recovery.
Why is it stretching?
Stretching, or etiolation, happens when stems elongate to reach light.
The fix is relocation to a brighter spot. Do not prune and leave it in low light, because new growth will stretch again.
Why are leaves dropping?
Leaf drop often follows sudden environmental change or chronic overwatering. The fix is stability.
Do not move the plant repeatedly or “test” new watering schedules weekly.
Pest & Pathogen Section
Aphids and spider mites feed by piercing tissues and sucking sap, which dulls the plant’s sheen.
Early signs include sticky residue from aphids or fine webbing from mites.
Spot treatment with alcohol on a cotton swab is effective when caught early. Isolation matters because pests spread easily between plants.
Root rot progresses quietly as fungi exploit oxygen-poor soil. Once stems turn mushy at the base, recovery is unlikely because the transport tissues are destroyed.
At that point, only healthy cuttings are salvageable.
Propagation & Pruning for Fullness
Each stem contains nodes, which are points where growth hormones concentrate. When a cutting is placed on soil, those hormones trigger root formation. Letting cut ends dry briefly prevents rot by sealing tissues.
Seed propagation is unreliable because indoor conditions rarely match what seeds require.
Pruning for fullness is simple. Trimming a trailing section and laying it gently across the soil allows nodes to root and thicken the crown, creating a fuller, necklace-like look over time rather than long, sparse strands.
Diagnostic Comparison Table
| Feature | Othonna capensis | Ceropegia woodii | Senecio rowleyanus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color response | Turns red in strong light | Stays green or silver | Remains green |
| Leaf shape | Bead-like, elongated | Heart-shaped | Round spheres |
| Toxicity | Mild irritation potential | Generally non-toxic | Mild irritation |
| Beginner tolerance | Moderate with light | High | Moderate |
String of Rubies stands out for its color change rather than leaf shape.
Its toxicity is mild compared to popular myths, and it demands more light than Ceropegia woodii but less precision than String of Pearls.
If You Just Want This Plant to Survive
Survival with String of Rubies comes from restraint. Start with a well-draining succulent soil and a terracotta pot that fits the root ball closely. Add a simple grow light if natural light is limited, positioning it close enough to feel bright but not hot.
Use a mild fertilizer only during active growth, and keep rubbing alcohol on hand for occasional pest control.
The temptation is to adjust something every week, but constant changes prevent the plant from settling. Roots need time to explore soil, and stems need consistent light to color properly.
Over-managing creates stress signals that look like problems but are actually reactions to instability.
Less water, more light, and fewer interventions produce stronger growth. This plant rewards patience, not effort.
When left alone in the right conditions, it becomes quietly reliable.
Buyer Expectations & Realistic Outcomes
Color intensity depends on light, not age or fertilizer.
Growth is steady rather than fast, and trailing length develops gradually.
Temporary leaf drop after relocation is normal as the plant recalibrates. Strong light produces shorter internodes and deeper color, which is the look most people want.
New Buyer Guide: How to Avoid Bringing Home a Lemon
At the nursery, look for firm stems and avoid plants with mushy soil-line nodes. Sparse crowns often indicate chronic overwatering, which weakens the plant long-term.
Assess pot weight before buying.
A very heavy pot usually means saturated soil.
Check for drainage holes, because root damage from poor drainage is hard to reverse. Set expectations early by prioritizing light and patience over frequent watering.
Blooms & Aroma
Under strong light, String of Rubies produces small yellow, daisy-like flowers. They are charming but secondary to the foliage. Blooming varies by season and light intensity.
Overfeeding does not make flowering more reliable and often reduces overall plant quality.
Is This a Good Plant for You?
This is a moderately easy plant if light is adequate.
The biggest risk factor is overwatering in low light. It suits bright homes with sunny windows and owners who can ignore it for stretches of time.
Those who want a low-light plant or enjoy frequent watering should skip it.
FAQ
Is it easy to care for? It is easy once light is correct, because watering becomes intuitive.
Most problems come from too much care rather than neglect.
Is it safe for pets? It contains bitter compounds that cause mild irritation if chewed. It is best kept out of reach but is not considered highly dangerous.
How big does it get? It trails gradually, forming longer strands over time rather than growing tall.
Size depends more on light and pruning than age.
Does it flower?
Yes, small yellow flowers appear under strong light. Flowering is unpredictable and should be treated as a bonus.
Is it rare? It is increasingly common in nurseries. Availability fluctuates, but it is not considered rare.
Can it grow in low light? It will survive for a while but lose color and stretch. Long-term health requires bright light.
Resources
The Royal Horticultural Society offers general succulent care principles that apply well to Othonna species at rhs.org.uk.
The University of California Extension explains watering and drainage science for container plants at ucanr.edu.
Missouri Botanical Garden provides botanical background on Asteraceae family plants at mobot.org. The ASPCA toxicity database discusses plant compounds and realistic risk levels at aspca.org.
Kew Gardens’ Plants of the World Online offers taxonomic verification at powo.science.kew.org.
Strong light triggers the red pigments that give String of Rubies its name.
Wrinkled stems signal depleted water reserves.
Nodes root readily when placed against soil.