Although Joseph's coat and calico plants differ in height, they spread to cover an area of about 18 to 23 inches, with some variation among cultivars. However, if the roots are dried up, it may be time to accept defeat. One of the first signs your plant is dying will be its leaves. Additionally, prolonged contact with the milky sap from the Ficus elastica Rubys leaves may result in skin irritation. Using glass containers such as small jars, vases, or thrifted glass containers will help you to keep an eye on the root development. You will need to do this a few times to remove all the fertilizer from the potting mix. String of rubies can be easily propagated by stem cuttings. Also, make sure to take extra care of the plants in the morning when the soil is warmed by sunlight. Again, dont accidentally shock the plant by moving it to full sun. These weeds can look like smaller plants you did not plant. After a week or two, once plants have adjusted to conditions indoors, pinch back or trim stems to keep plants tidy, but only cut back one or two stems per plant each week, to minimize stress. and see if its waterlogged or bone dry. This plant is not a heavy feeder, but you should fertilize at least a couple times during the growing season. In shade the foliage and stem elongate and the plant is less compact, Fertile, moist, free draining soils are best. Othonna capensis likes to grow in full sun to partial shade outdoors. When grown outdoors, a string of rubies does best in full sun to partial shade conditions. While overwatering is a common problem, underwatering is also a common cause of death for rubber plants. Size: 30-40cm x 60-90cm. The more cuttings you add to your pot, the better so that you can have a nice, full plant from the start. Copyright For a year-round houseplant, trim back stems whenever the plant begins to look leggy. It is also important to weed out the pot from time to time. Order arrived next day and plants were in great condition. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. However, they can soak up your plants nutrients and make it feeble. Simply take stem cuttings, let them air dry for a few days (this allows the cut to callous over and prevent rotting), and then insert the cuttings in a pot of soil. Do this by watering the plant until the water runs out of the drainage hole. Extremely good quality tube stock. Ficus elastica Ruby plants like to have a routine when it comes to their watering. What Does a Snapdragon Look Like? Tube stock plants were in perfect condition. Water again only when the soil has completely dried out. Rubber plants are native to tropical regions and prefer high humidity. These diseases, however, are avoidable. . Give your succulent a deep watering; give the plant a slow steady stream of water and wait for the excess to drain out of the bottom of the pot. This causes the leaves to turn yellow and die back. If youre seeing this in your plants it's probably one of three things: a, due to a harsh winter or drought. The Rubber Tree Ruby is not very demanding when it comes to humidity. However, the middle of the pot looks empty. If you've done bottom watering, have you waited long enough? The string of rubies succulent requires well-draining, acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. These little pests are very common and they love to eat the sap from plant leaves. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Garden's Whisper is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Since I moved it, the leaves are more green, but the stems maintained a beautiful purplish color. Wondering how our customers feel about working with Livspace? Please note we will be closing down for 2 weeks over the christmas period. Keep going until about a half inch of water has gone through the pot and collected in the sink or bowl. Choose a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. When I had my own plant just a few inches below a very bright LED grow light, it was a beautiful red color. Ruby Necklace, whose scientific name is Othonna capensis, is a trailing and fast-growing succulent plant. The plant will start to die if it is not replanted in a larger pot. This makes them super easy to propagate. True to its name, when a string of rubies is grown in direct sun, the leaves will turn ruby red. Then let the plant soakmaybe even a full day. Do you have any suggestions? I'm thinking I need to repot it, but I would like to propogate as well. its container. Reasons Houseplants Die If your indoor plants keep failing, it's most likely due to cultural issues, many of which can be easily fixed. Ruby necklace plant originates from the African rainforest and has been used by indigenous tribes for a variety of purposes. Two types are widely available: one that's usually called Joseph's coat is about 1 foot tall (Alternanthera ficoidea) and comes in cultivars with multi-colored leaves, while the other, sometimes called calico plant (Alternanthera dentata), can be 3 feet tall and usually has purple leaves, advises Missouri Botanical Garden. The subreddit moderation team has implemented a number of new tools to help users both give and receive the best help possible. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Watering your Ficus elastica Ruby is an important part of care. When grown indoors, the Rubber Tree Ruby will likely only grow to about 13 feet (4 meters) tall. When you start fertilizing again, only use half of the recommended amount and only fertilize every other month during the growing season. Hence, you should keep this plant out of their reach. Little Ruby is best suited to warm climates and is ideal for humid coastal gardens. Allow the water to seep down to the roots, and be sure to empty any drainage tray afterward. You can also make your own fungicide by mixing 1 part baking soda with 9 parts water. If you see any of the following, its a good indication that you need to move your plant: If you think your rubber plant is getting too much sun, the best thing to do is to move it to a new location. Cut away any affected roots with a sharp knife to avoid harming the healthy roots. Then replant the plant in the new pot with fresh potting mix. Here are 5 reasons your plant may be dying and what you can do about it. Root rot and fungal issues are the most pressing diseases to affect the Rubber Tree Ruby. The best way to save a dying rubber plant is to identify the problem and take corrective action. If your plant is potted and the roots are dry, give it a good soak and monitor it. Here are 5 reasons your plant may be dying and what . Gently squeeze the sides with your hands to loosen up the soil. In some cases, the leaves will even get sunburned and peel. Instead, make small changes and monitor the plant to see if it's getting better. You can do this by hand. Too much direct sun exposure will burn or scorch its delicate leaves. It is known simply as the Rubber Tree Ruby. And maybe top water at the end if you don't feel any moisture on the surface. Keep the soil barely moist as the cuttings are rooting. "@type": "Answer", Beeblossom 'Ruby Ruby'. Place the plant into the new pot. They grow exceptionally well in pots. The entire plant from stem to leaf may be dramatically wilting as a defense mechanism to retain moisture because its. These pests are easily dealt with provided they have not infested your plant. The flowers of this plant may actually detract from its ornamental features, so they can be removed as they appear. While youre at it, read up on How Not to Kill Your Succulents. They need nitrogen for growth, phosphorus for flowering, and potassium for overall health. Use one hand to gently break up the soil and loosen the roots. However the stems near the roots have grown very woody and brittle and I have had three 4-6 inch stems break off at these woody spots. We consulted our friends at Lazy Gardener and they told us that despite what we may think, plants need extra care and attention. String of rubies cuttings can be rooted in soil and in water, although the success rate is usually higher with soil than with water because they are less likely to rot. This will help hydrate the plant quickly and remove any dust from the foliage." Advertisement. A third potential cause is a high level of salts in the soil, which can cause wilting on its own or simply contribute to the plants inability to absorb water by affecting the process of osmosis. Although it is not necessarily difficult to care for, it can be quite demanding. First, stop watering the plant and let the soil dry out completely. For outdoor plants, see if the plant is overcrowded by other vegetation and needs to be moved to a different spot. However, when grown in low light conditions, the leaves will revert to green and the plant is more likely to become leggy. Move your plant to a spot where it will receive bright, indirect light for as long as possible throughout the day. The method is not hard to do, and the results are quite fast. In this case, you'll have to water several times in a row until you can feel the weight difference and you know that the medium has absorbed water. It is important that your plants soil is rich in nutrients, especially when kept as a houseplant. Remove damaged, yellowing, or dead leaves as necessary with a pair of sharp, clean, gardening shears. It may be a hassle to place a pebble tray under every plant you have or if only some of your plants need higher humidity, a microclimate created by placing the plants together may not be possible. Only water your plant if the top layer of soil has dried out. Joseph's coat and calico plant are native to moist, tropical areas, so it's important to keep their soil evenly moist, never allowing it to dry out completely, notes Fine Gardening. The good news is the soil is very healthy and fertile! Thankyou! Hi David! You can check out the Livspace reviews here! However, the string of rubies has a unique characteristic that sets it apart from other trailing succulents. Planting Density: 3-5 plants per m, 2-3 plants per linear metre. Similar to overwatered roots, adjust the soils drainage and remove the mushrooms to prevent them from growing back. Humidity is not an issue but temperatures below 60 (16) are undesirable. At the first signs of mildew, apply a sulfur-based fungicide to the leaves to prevent the fungus from spreading. Be the first to rate this post. Excellent. Completely dried out roots are usually a clear sign that your plant is dead, or really. With proper care, your indoor plant will soon be back to its healthy self. These plants respond well to regular trimming, and only need basic care to thrive. Ficus elastica Ruby plants need rich soil that drains freely. This will prevent the disease from spreading. Is the Ficus elastica Ruby a toxic plant? Plant at 1 to 1.5 metre centres. Hi Ashley. If you give it too much water, the roots won't have enough oxygen. What does this translate to indoors? Brown leaves are one of the most obvious signs your plant is dying. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. You need to make sure that your plants are at an optimal capacity to soak as much sunlight as possible. For an indoor-grown plant, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, but ensure the pot drains well after every watering by removing its saucer until all water has drained away. "text": "Plain or dull-looking leaves are a sign that your Ficus elastica ‘Ruby’ is not getting enough sun. Thanks, David. The name Ruby relates to the plants bright, pinkish-red foliage variegations. How is Livspace Better Than Your Carpenter? Spray the plant with the fungicide every week for 3 weeks. Its best to gradually move the plant to a brighter location over time and see how it responds. Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. Common with most houseplants, mealybugs and scale insects are known to pester the Ficus elastica Ruby. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your purchase we will either replace the plants or provide a full refund, no questions asked. Repotting every two to three years should be adequate. There are a few key signs that your rubber plant is root-bound. Roots that are soft, pale, have a musky smell, or look like theyre rotting means they have been sitting in. Avoid fertilizing this plant altogether in the autumn and winter months. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates and exclusive offers! Plain or dull-looking leaves are a sign that your Ficus elastica Ruby is not getting enough sun. "mainEntity": [ I just purchased a small cutting. Without the correct light exposure, the Rubber Tree Ruby will not be able to live up to its name. "@type": "FAQPage", It looks like these May be dying too!!! 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