11 Reasons Why String of Rubies Plant is Dying and How to Fix It
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String of Rubies Plant (Othonna capensis) may die due to inconsistent watering, too little light, root-rot, nutrients deficiency, salts buildup, temperature stress among other reasons brought about by cultural faults.
String of Rubies Plant also called String of Pickles, Little Pickles or Ruby Necklace is one of the string of plants and is characterized by thin oval-shaped leaves and reddish-purple stems.
Othonna capensis thrives in very bright light with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 20-270C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with two feedings in the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for String of Rubies Plant.
If these growing conditions are not met, String of Rubies Plant may begin to die. We have herebelow outlined for you 11 reasons why your Othonna capensis may die and their solutions to make it easier for you to save your plant.
11 Reasons why String of Rubies Plant is Dying and How to Revive It
1. Root-rot Disease
String of Rubies Plant is prone to root-rot disease which is prevalent in soggy soil due to poor drainage. The disease is characterized by wilted, discolored leaves, corky swellings under the leaves, dropping leaves and eventual death of the plant.
How to Fix It
Slip 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 as indicated by the manufacturer.
Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant.
Use a pot with a drainage hole and fast-draining soil.
Do not water the plant and keep it dry for about 7 days before resuming watering.
Cut down on watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist since growth is minimal at this time.
2. Poor Quality Soil
Poor quality soil does not drain easily; it becomes compacted or soggy and can lead to root-rot, which is characterized by yellowing, leaf drop and death of the plant.
How to Fix It
Pot Ruby Necklace Plant in good quality succulents soil as it drains easily and does not hold excess amounts of water.
3. Too Little Light
Insufficient light implies that the plant cannot make enough food for energy and growth therefore it begins to drop its leaves and finally dies.
How to Fix It
Cutback the bare stems to rejuvenate growth and move Othonna capensis to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with at least 6 hours of morning or late afternoon sunshine.
If you do not have enough lighting in your home, instal a grow light to increase it.
Once monthly, give the pot a quarter turn to ensure that the plant absorbs enough light on all sides.
4. Nutrients Deficiency
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 may die.
How to Fix It
Feed String of Rubies Plant twice in spring and summer with a succulents fertilizer for a lush growth. Ensure to follow the recommendations on the label of the plant food.
5. Salts Buildup
Excess salts in the soil will cause the roots to die meaning they cannot take up nutrients and water needed for making food for growth and energy. Without adequate food, the plant begins to drop leaves and eventually dies if the situation is not corrected.
How to Fix It
Regularly flush out accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes. Repeat the process several times to clear as much salt as possible.
Do not feed the plant in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time thus the plant does not need it.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label of the plant food.
Only water the plant with water that is free of chlorine and other dissolved chemicals.
6. Pest Infestations
Othonna capensis is prone to mealybugs, aphids, scale insects and spider mites infestations especially in dry air conditions. These pests attack the new growth from where the suck the plant sap. This causes the plant to become dehydrated resulting in wilting, yellowing and eventual plant death.
How to Fix It
Regularly inspect your String of Rubies Plant for these pests and take timely control measures.
Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
Keep the plant properly pruned and increase humidity to discourage pest infestations.
7. Being Root-bound
A root-bound plant 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. Without adequate food the plant begins to die from the leaves which turn yellow and drop.
How to Fix It
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.
You may divide the plant into several sections and plant these sections in individual pots to propagate new plants. Check out these succulents pots on Amazon.
8. Inconsistent watering
Underwatering results in too little moisture in the soil. As such, the plant cannot take up nutrients and water needed for food making.
Overwatering results in too much water in the soil which reduces the oxygen concentration in rootzone and this causes the roots to die. Therefore, the roots cannot take up water and nutrients needed for food making. Since the plant does not get adequate food for growth and energy, in a bid to save energy, it drops its leaves and begins to die.
How to Fix It
Check the soil condition by inserting your index finger into the soil and feel the soil. If the soil feels dry, immediately water the Ruby Necklace Plant thoroughly until the water comes out through the drainage holes.
If the soil feels wet, the plant is overwatered. Stop watering it and repot it in fresh, succulents soil. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil.
Thereafter, water the plant when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for too long.
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 begin to die.
How to Fix It
Water Othonna capensis with room temperature water. Avoid watering it with too cold water for a prolonged period to prevent cold shock.
10. Temperature Stress
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 plant to stop growing and begin to die. Leaf drop is one of the signs of a dying plant.
How to Fix It
Keep String of Rubies Plant away from sources of drafts like drafty windows, AC vents, open doors, hot air vents, heat sources among others.
Maintain a warmth of 20-270C; usually, a room temperature that is comfortable for you is good for the plant.
11. Hot Direct Sunlight
Exposing String of Rubies Plant to hot midday sun will result in dehydration and scorching. which can cause the plant to wilt and begin to die if it is not corrected.
How to Fix It
Do not expose Othonna capensis to hot direct sunshine before acclimating it. Gradually expose it to brighter light every day over a period of 2 weeks to acclimate it.
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