11 Reasons Why String of Rubies Plant is Dying and How to Fix Them

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String of Rubies Plant (Othonna capensis) may die due to root-rot, overwatering, underwatering, direct hot sunlight, too little light among other reasons brought about by cultural faults.

String of Rubies Plant is also called String of Pickles, Little Pickles or Ruby Necklace. It is characterized by thin oval-shaped leaves and reddish-purple stems.

Othonna capensis is easy to care for when provided with the right growing conditions. If the growing conditions are not met it may develop some problems and eventually die.

We have herebelow discussed 11 reasons why Othonna capensis may die and their solutions. Keep reading for more on these reasons.

11 Reasons why a String of Rubies Plant may die with solutions

1. Root-rot Disease

Othonna capensis is prone to root-rot disease which is brought about by soggy soil. The disease is characterized by wilted, discolored leaves, corky swellings under the leaves, dropping leaves and eventual death of the plant.

Soggy soil reduces oxygen concentration in the soil which causes the roots to die. Once the roots die, they cannot take up water and nutrients to the leaves. The leaves begin to die and eventually drop.

Solutions

Take the Othonna capensis out of its pot and inspect the roots. Brown-black mushy roots indicate root-rot, trim them off and treat the healthy roots with a fungicidal solution.

Disinfect the pot or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh free-draining soil.

Do not water the String of Rubies Plant and keep it dry for about 7 days before resuming watering. Read more on how to treat root-rot here.

To avoid getting soggy soil, ensure that the pot for String of Pickles Plant has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining.

Also, decrease watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time.

2. Too Little Light

The String of Rubies Plants require bright light with some morning sunshine to thrive. The light is needed for making food that is required for energy and growth.

Insufficient light implies that the plant cannot make enough food for energy and growth therefore it begins to drop its leaves and finally dies.

Solutions

Cut back the bare stems to rejuvenate growth and move the Othonna capensis to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with some morning sunshine or instal a grow light if you do not have adequate lighting in your home. Check out these link to Amazon for full spectrum grow lights.

Regularly turn the pot to ensure that the plant absorbs enough light for photosynthesis from all sides.

3. Overfeeding

Overfeeding a String of Rubies Plant will cause the roots to die due to fertilizer burn. When the roots die, they cannot take up nutrients and water needed for photosynthesis; the process of making food for growth and energy.

Without, adequate food for growth and energy, the Othonna capensis begins to drop leaves and eventually dies if the situation is not corrected.

Solutions

Take care not to overfeed a String of Rubies Plant. Feed the plant twice during the growing season with a Succulents Fertilizer.

String of Rubies Plant is not a heavy feeder so be careful when feeding. Follow the instructions on the label of the plant food to avoid overfeeding.

Regularly flush out excess salts from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes and repeat the process several times.

4. Underfeeding

Underfeeding a String of Rubies Plant implies that the plant is not getting enough nutrients need for growth and energy.

Inadequate nutrients in the actively growing tips causes nutrients to be withdrawn from the older lower leaves which begin to yellow, drop and eventually the plant dies.

Solutions

Feed the Othonna capensis twice during the growing season with a Succulents Fertilizer. Take care not to underfeed and follow the instructions on the label of the plant food.

5. Pest Infestations

Othonna capensis is prone to various pests infestations. The common pests include mealy bugs, aphids, scale insects and spider mites.

These pests attack the new growth from where the suck the plant sap. This causes the String of Pickles Plant to become dehydrated and results in wilting and eventual death.

Solutions

Regularly inspect the String of Rubies Plant for the pests and take timely control measures.

Treat the Ruby Necklace appropriately for the pests with appropriate products like neem oil or insecticidal soap among others.

6. Poor Quality Soil

Poor quality soil does not drain easily and therefore it easily becomes compacted or soggy which can negatively impact the growth of the plant.

Othonna capensis requires loose, free-draining soil that does not hold excessive amounts of water as soggy soil can lead to root-rot disease which is characterized by yellowing, leaf drop and eventual death of the plant.

Solutions

Pot the Ruby Necklace in good quality soil that is loose, free-draining and rich in organic matter like Cactus and Succulents Soil.

7. Underwatering

When the String of Rubies Plant is underwatered, there is little moisture in the soil. As such, the plant cannot take up nutrients and water needed for photosynthesis (food making process).

Since the plant does not get adequate food for growth and energy, it begins to die. The leaves turn yellow, drop and eventually the plant dies if the situation is not corrected.

Solutions

When you note that the leaves are yellowing and dropping, check the soil condition by inserting your index finger into the soil and feeling the soil.

If the soil feels dry, immediately water the Ruby Necklace thoroughly until the water comes out through the drainage holes and it should recover.

Thereafter, water the Othonna capensis liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce watering during the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

8. Extreme Temperatures

Othonna capensis requires average room temperatures within the range of 20-27⁰C inorder to thrive. Extreme temperatures; either too high or too low (outside the above range) will affect the normal functioning of the plant systems.

Too high temperatures will cause excessive loss of water leading to wilting, leaf drop and eventual death of the plant.

Too low temperatures cause the String of Pickles Plant stop growing and it begins to die. Leaf drop is one of the signs of a dying plant.

Solutions

Keep the String of Rubies Plant away from cold draughts like drafty windows, air conditioning vents, open doors among others.

Ensure that the Ruby Necklace is not near hot surfaces, hot air vents and other hot areas to prevent extremely high temperatures.

Maintain an average room temperature within the range of 20-27⁰C. Usually, a room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for String of Rubies Plant.

9. Too Cold Water

String of Rubies Plants are native to the tropical regions where the temperatures remain constantly warm.

Therefore, constantly watering these plants with too cold water will shock the plant, causing it to stop growing and eventually die.

Solutions

Water Othonna capensis with water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking these tropical plants.

10. Root Bound Plant

A root bound Othonna capensis is one whose roots have filled the pot and there is very little soil to hold water when you water the plant.

Therefore, the roots have no access to water and nutrients required for making food for growth. Without adequate food the plant begins to die from the leaves which turn yellow and drop.

Solutions

Check the bottom of the pot for roots growing through the drainage hole and repot the String of Rubies Plant into a pot one size larger than the current one. Check out these succulents pots available on Amazon.

You can also divide the Ruby Necklace into several sections and plant the sections in individual pots to propagate new plants.

11. Direct Hot Sunlight

Exposure of a String of Rubies Plant to direct hot sunshine can cause dehydration and sunscorch which may result in wilting and eventual death of the plant if it is not corrected.

Solutions

Do not expose Othonna capensis to hot direct sunlight before acclimatizing it. Gradually expose to brighter light for over a period of 2 weeks to acclimate it.

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