Ruby Necklace

Ruby Necklace (Othonna capensis)

Ruby Necklace, also known as Little Pickels, is a trailing succulent that turns a simple pot into a cascading, color-shifting display with very little effort. The beadlike leaves stay compact and tidy while the stems drape gracefully, making it a natural fit for shelves, hanging planters, and sunny windows. In brighter light, the foliage can blush from green into burgundy tones, giving you a built-in color upgrade without changing anything else. It is also sold as String of Rubies or String of Pickles, and it thrives when you keep the routine simple, bright light, sharp drainage, and patient watering.

Distinctive Features

This plant forms slender, trailing stems lined with small, plump leaves that look like tiny pickles, with color ranging from green to purple-red depending on light and dryness. It produces small, yellow, daisy-like flowers on short stalks in the warmer months, adding a cheerful contrast above the succulent foliage. The habit is low and spreading, then cascading as stems lengthen, creating a dense, layered look over the rim of a pot. The foliage is the main feature, and it stays attractive year-round indoors with consistent light.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to partial shade outdoors, or very bright light indoors for best color and compact growth.
• Soil: Very fast-draining cactus or succulent mix, ideally with added grit, in a pot with drainage.
• Water: Water thoroughly, then let the soil dry out well before watering again, and reduce watering in winter.
• USDA Zones: 9 to 11.
• Mature Size: About 2 to 4 inches tall with trailing stems commonly 2 to 3 feet long over time in containers.
• Habit: Low, spreading, trailing succulent with cascading stems.

Ideal Uses

• Hanging Baskets: Let stems spill freely for a full cascade that looks finished and intentional.
• Shelves And Plant Stands: Place it high so the trailing texture adds movement and softens hard lines.
• Bright Windows: Grow near strong light to encourage richer burgundy tones and tighter growth.
• Patio Containers: Use outdoors in warm months to boost vigor, then bring indoors before cold weather.
• Focal Point: Feature a single pot in a simple hanging planter so the trailing strands and yellow blooms become the main visual statement.
• Succulent Arrangements: Pair with upright succulents in separate pots to balance vertical structure with trailing texture.

Low Maintenance Care

• Drainage: Keep the mix fast-draining and never let the container sit in standing water.
• Watering Rhythm: Avoid frequent small waterings and water only after the mix dries well.
• Light Management: Increase light gradually if growth stretches, and provide some afternoon shade in extreme heat.
• Pruning: Trim long stems to shape the plant and encourage branching for a fuller look.
• Propagation: Root stem cuttings after the cut end dries briefly, then place in a dry, gritty mix and water lightly once rooted.

Why Choose Ruby Necklace?

• Color That Responds: Bright light can shift foliage from green to burgundy for easy, noticeable contrast.
• Cascading Texture: Trailing stems create instant movement and soften containers and shelves.
• Low Water Needs: A dry-between-waterings routine keeps care simple and consistent.
• Seasonal Flowers: Yellow daisy-like blooms add a bright accent above the foliage in the warm season.
• Space Efficient: Trails downward to add volume without taking up extra tabletop space.
• Easy To Multiply: Cuttings root readily, making it simple to build a fuller pot over time.

Ruby Necklace performs best with bright light, sharp drainage, and patience between waterings. Keep it on the drier side, protect it from frost, and it will reward you with a dense cascade of colorful stems that looks styled all season long.