Ruby Necklace

What you'll need:

A pot with drainage holes (around 4-6 inches wide for starters is perfect)

Well-draining soil mix (cactus or succulent soil works great, but you can also mix regular soil with sand or perlite to improve drainage)

Watering can or spray bottle

• Ruby Necklace plant (either as cuttings or a small potted plant)
• A bright spot that gets plenty of indirect sunlight
• Pebbles or gravel (optional, for decorative top layer)

When to start:

Ruby Necklace plants are pretty adaptable and can be planted or propagated at any time of the year. However, spring or early summer is ideal because they grow quickly during warmer months.

Choosing a location:

This plant loves bright light, but not direct, harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch its leaves. If you're growing it indoors, a windowsill that gets morning sun and some shade in the afternoon is perfect. Outdoors, a spot with filtered sunlight will work well.

If using cuttings:

1. Take a healthy cutting from an existing Ruby Necklace plant (about 3-4 inches long).
2. Let the cutting sit out for a day or two so the cut end "calluses over" (this helps prevent rot when planting).
3. Fill your pot with well-draining soil.
4. Make a small hole in the soil with your finger or a pencil and gently place the calloused end of the cutting into the hole.
5. Lightly press the soil around the base of the cutting so it stands upright.
6. Don’t water right away! Wait about 3-4 days before giving it a light watering to allow the roots to start forming without rotting.

If transplanting a young plant:

1. Choose a pot slightly larger than the current one, ensuring it has drainage holes.
2. Fill the bottom of the pot with your soil mix, leaving enough room for the plant’s root ball.
3. Carefully remove the plant from its original container, loosen the roots gently if they’re compacted, and place it in the new pot.
4. Add more soil around the plant, pressing lightly so it stays stable.
5. Give it a small amount of water immediately after planting, just enough to settle the soil.

Tip: Ruby Necklace doesn’t like to sit in soggy soil, so make sure your pot has good drainage!

Watering:

• Ruby Necklace is a succulent, so it doesn’t need much water. Water only when the soil feels completely dry—usually every 1-2 weeks, depending on the weather.
• When you do water, soak the soil thoroughly until water drains out of the bottom, but never let the plant sit in standing water.
• During the winter, reduce watering to once a month or even less, as the plant goes dormant.

Light requirements:

• Aim for bright, indirect sunlight. Too much direct sun can burn the leaves, while too little light may cause them to lose their vibrant ruby color.
• If grown indoors, placing it near an east- or west-facing window is ideal. Rotate the pot occasionally to ensure all sides get some light.

Fertilizing:

• You don't need to fertilize often; once or twice during the growing season (spring and summer) with a diluted cactus fertilizer will do.
• Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can harm the plant.

Temperature and humidity:

• This plant likes warm temperatures between 60-80°F (15-27°C). It's not a fan of frost, so bring it indoors if temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C).
• Normal indoor humidity levels are fine; no need to mist or increase humidity.

Pruning and maintenance:

• Ruby Necklace can grow quite long and trailing, making it great for hanging baskets. Trim back any leggy or overgrown stems to encourage bushier growth.
• Remove any yellow or dried-up leaves to keep the plant looking tidy and healthy.

Does Ruby Necklace produce flowers?

Yes! In the right conditions, Ruby Necklace produces small, daisy-like yellow flowers. These typically appear in the spring and sometimes in the fall if the plant is happy and healthy.

How to encourage blooming:

• Make sure your plant gets plenty of bright, indirect light.
• Don’t overwater—succulents like Ruby Necklace tend to bloom better when they experience a slight dry period between waterings.
• Keep it in a cooler spot during the winter (around 50-60°F/10-15°C), which mimics its natural resting phase and encourages flowering in spring.

Enjoying your blooms:

Once the flowers appear, they’ll last a few weeks. After blooming, you can snip off the spent flowers to keep the plant looking neat. No need to harvest anything unless you want to propagate more Ruby Necklace plants by taking cuttings!

Pro Tip: The flowers attract pollinators like bees if kept outdoors, which is a bonus for your garden ecosystem!

Q: Why are my Ruby Necklace leaves turning green instead of red?

A: The rich ruby-red color comes from bright light! If the leaves are green, the plant might not be getting enough sunlight. Try moving it closer to a brighter spot, but avoid harsh direct sunlight.

Q: My plant looks droopy and wilted, what’s wrong?

A: Overwatering is the most common issue. Check if the soil is staying too wet and adjust your watering schedule. Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.

Q: Can I propagate Ruby Necklace easily?

A: Yes! You can take stem cuttings, let them callous for a day or two, then plant them in soil. They root fairly quickly and are a great way to expand your collection or share with friends.

Q: Why are the leaves falling off?

A: Falling leaves can happen due to overwatering, underwatering, or sudden temperature changes. Make sure the plant is not sitting in water and is kept in a stable environment.

Q: How fast does Ruby Necklace grow?

A: Given the right conditions, it grows relatively quickly, sending out long, trailing stems. You can trim it back to maintain a fuller shape.