Propagation guide

How to propagate String of pickles (Othonna capensis 'Little Pickles' (syn. Crassothonna capensis)) — step by step

Also called ruby necklace, string of rubies, little pickles, string of pickles.

The best way to propagate string of pickles

The reliable, beginner-friendly way to propagate string of pickles is trailing strand cuttings laid on the soil surface. It suits this species because of how it grows: trailing/creeping evergreen succulent. Very easy from stem cuttings. Snip a 10-15 cm (4-6 in) length with a clean, sterile blade, let the cut end callus for a day or two, then lay it on or insert it into barely moist gritty mix. Roots form at the nodes within a few weeks. Strands also root where they touch soil.

For the wider picture of which technique suits which plant, our guide to plant propagation methods compares water, soil, leaf, division and offset propagation side by side.

Step-by-step: propagating string of pickles

Cut a healthy strand. Snip a 10–20 cm length of healthy string of pickles just below a node. Several strands in one pot give a full plant fastest.
Strip the rooting section. Pull the beads/leaves off the lowest few centimetres so bare nodes will contact the soil.
Lay it on the soil. Coil the strand across barely-moist succulent mix so as many nodes as possible touch the surface. Pin it down with bent wire or a hairpin.
Keep nodes in contact. Mist lightly to settle it. Roots grow from every node touching soil within 2–4 weeks, and the strand pulls itself in.
Water-route option. One strand can also be hung with its lower nodes in a little water, then potted once roots reach 2–3 cm.

The alternative method

If the main route does not suit your plant or setup, water propagation of a single strand is the next best option for string of pickles. Suspend a single long strand with just its lower nodes touching a little water; pot it once the roots reach 2–3 cm. Soil-laying is still the higher-success route.

Timeline to roots

Realistically: roots from the nodes in 2–4 weeks. These numbers assume spring or summer warmth and bright indirect light. In a cold, dark room — or in winter dormancy — the same string of pickles propagation can take twice as long or stall completely, so do not panic if progress looks slow out of season. Patience beats poking: disturbing a forming root system to “check” on it is a common way to set it back.

Common failure points

Not letting the cut/leaf callus before it touches soil or water — the number-one cause of rot.
Over-watering propagations: mist or barely moisten, never soak, until real roots form.
Pulling a leaf that tears rather than detaching cleanly at the base — a torn leaf will not produce a baby.
Propagating off a stressed, pest-ridden or recently-repotted string of pickles — always take material from a healthy, established parent.

When to do it

The best window is spring and summer. Propagation is energetically expensive for a plant, and it only has the spare resources to build new roots when it is already growing actively, warm and well-lit. Out-of-season attempts are not pointless, but expect lower success and a longer wait.

Aftercare

Keep new string of pickles propagations bright but out of fierce direct sun, and water only lightly until a real root system has formed — overwatering now is fatal. Once established, switch to the parent's normal lean, dry rhythm. Match the parent's needs as the new string of pickles settles: Bright light with several hours of direct sun. A south or west-facing window is ideal; strong light is what turns the leaves and stems from green to vibrant ruby-red. In low light the plant grows leggy, stays green, and rarely flowers.

String of pickles propagation — frequently asked questions

What is the best way to propagate string of pickles?

Trailing strand cuttings laid on the soil surface is the most reliable method for string of pickles. Propagate string of pickles by laying trailing strands on the soil surface. Cut a healthy strand, lay it across moist succulent mix so the nodes touch the soil, and pin it down. Roots form from every buried node within 2–4 weeks. No glass of water needed.

Do you need a node to propagate string of pickles?

For string of pickles the rooting structure is trailing strand cuttings laid on the soil surface, so a classic "node" matters less than starting with the right plant material — Cut a healthy strand, lay it across moist succulent mix so the nodes touch the soil, and pin it down.

How long does it take string of pickles to root?

Roots from the nodes in 2–4 weeks. Timing varies with warmth and light — propagations move fastest in spring and summer when the plant is in active growth, and can stall almost completely in a cold, dark winter.

What is the best time of year to propagate string of pickles?

Spring and summer. Root and shoot development is metabolically demanding, so propagating during the active growing season gives noticeably higher success rates and faster results than attempting it in dormancy.

Can you propagate string of pickles in water?

Water propagation is not the ideal route for string of pickles. Succulent leaves and strands rot easily if they sit wet — callus the cut, then root on barely-moist gritty mix instead. A single strand can be suspended with only its nodes touching water if you prefer.