The ruby necklace plant is a surprising delight to have in your home or office. Though it is a succulent, it has a few behaviors that make it seem like other types of plants, and though you will likely buy it green, it is a bit of a shapeshifter under the right conditions.
It is also a hardy, trailing plant that can fit in with virtually any decor or be used to center other plants and decor around. Good for the air, good for your energetic flow, and good for you. You can’t go wrong with a ruby necklace plant in your home.
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A Ruby Necklace Plant Is Good for Homes and Offices
Native to South Africa, the ruby necklace plant also goes by the nicknames “string of rubies” and “string of pickles” as the succulent leaves resemble the shape of a small pickle, and when it is exposed to plenty of bright light the green leaves will turn a vibrant red, which recall the glorious ruby gem.
The vines of the plant are a deep purple, creating an instant magnetic attraction to anyone walking by. You can’t help but stop and look.
Known also by its Latin name, Othonna capensis, ruby necklace looks incredibly delicate, and in some ways it is, but it more than makes up for its precious nature by cleaning the air in your room (up to 87% of toxins) and providing positive feng shui vibes.
Are Ruby Necklace Plants Good for the Feng Shui Flow of a Room?
Introducing, or maintaining, feng shui in a room means paying close attention to the balances of energy in the room. We want to keep energy flowing, positive vibes coming in, and negativity flowing right out. The string of rubies plant is an ideal plant for encouraging feng shui in your home or office.
Succulents not only clean the air, but they also symbolize enduring love, tenacity, and strength. When it comes to color, purple represents nobility and honor, and red sparks passion. Thus, the ruby necklace is ideal to keep near a bright bedroom or office window.
So much great information is available on the concepts of flow and energy for your home or office, including this master class article on how to use feng shui.
Are Ruby Necklace Plants Easy to Grow and Maintain?
Ruby necklace plants are incredibly hardy as long as you follow a few steps. They call for plenty of light as well as enough shade and require just the right amount of water. They also don’t need fertilizer, making them easier to care for.
How Do Ruby Necklace Plants Grow?
This gorgeous purple and green, shapeshifting plant grows like most succulents, from cuttings, and will thrive outdoors in partial sun with plenty of warmth and indoors in a pot with enough light. The ruby necklace plant will look great with its leaves trailing along the outer reaches of the pot or hanging down from a suspended basket or pot.
What Kind of Soil Does a Ruby Necklace Plant Need?
The biggest thing to consider when buying soil to plant your string of rubies is to make sure it is not too absorbent and will not hold onto water for long. You’ll want a light, well-draining soil that allows water to pass through.
You can invest in any household or succulent soil or mix your own soil with two parts indoor potting soil and one part sand then place pebbles at the bottom of your pot to ensure adequate drainage.
How Much Light Does a Ruby Necklace Plant Need?
The ruby necklace plant will thrive in a bright indoor space that also offers plenty of shade during the afternoon light when the sun is at its harshest.
Keep it near or in a window that gets plenty of morning sunlight but then no afternoon light. If you don’t have that as an option, you can keep it near a window that gets a ton of indirect afternoon light.
How Much Water Does a Ruby Necklace Plant Need?
As a succulent, the Othonna capensis loves occasional watering but will start to fade quickly with too much water.
The worst for a succulent is root rot, which can take hold easily for plant owners who water their succulents alongside other plants that require more water. A succulent has to be given its own schedule.
If you’d like to learn more about watering mistakes you might be making with your plants, you can check out my other article for signs, tips, and tricks to avoiding these watering mistakes.
Other Conditions that Are Important to a Ruby Necklace Plant
Perhaps the most important issue outside of what we’ve discussed here already is a greater emphasis on watering. Root rot can destroy a ruby necklace plant quickly.
Signs include soggy soil and pests hovering around your plant. Watch your watering schedule and keep an eye on the plant’s light needs when you first move it into your home.
Ruby Necklace Plant Decorating Ideas
The ruby necklace plant is so pretty you will want to give it a prominent position in your home or office. Ideally, you will pot it in a neutral-colored plant, like gray or white, so the plant’s colors and geometric shapes can really pop.
A hanging pot at a low enough level can help bring attention to this plant’s loveliness. You could also position the ruby necklace on its own side table to give it prominence.
Do Fake Ruby Necklace Plants Look Real?
If you’re still concerned that you won’t be able to keep a ruby necklace plant alive, or if you feel you won’t have time to water the plant when it calls for it, you can always go artificial. Succulents already look slightly artificial, so going with a fake ruby necklace plant is a sure thing.
Still, the ruby necklace plant is so easy to care for that, if you haven’t tried it yet, it’s definitely worth a try.
If you do decide to go fake, and you’re wondering if it might not be trendy, check out my piece on whether artificial plants and flowers are tacky.
No matter which way you go, the ruby necklace plant is a win/win. Bring one into your home or office to brighten up your space.
How about you? Have you introduced a string of rubies into your home or office plant life? Tell me about your decor in the comments.
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