Repotting guide

When & how to repot String of pickles (Othonna capensis 'Little Pickles' (syn. Crassothonna capensis))

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

More about string of pickles

About String of pickles

Othonna capensis 'Little Pickles' (syn. Crassothonna capensis) · also called ruby necklace, string of rubies · houseplant

String of pickles (Othonna capensis 'Little Pickles') is a trailing South African succulent with bean-shaped leaves on purple stems that flush ruby-red in strong light, plus small yellow daisy flowers. It needs bright light, gritty soil, and sparse soak-and-dry watering. Not on the ASPCA list, so treat as mildly toxic and verify with a vet.

Mature size: Slender stems trail up to about 2 m (6 ft); spreads readily in a hanging pot or as ground cover.

Watch for — Mushy, translucent, or yellowing leaves: Overwatering and poor drainage causing root rot — let the soil dry fully and use a grittier mix.

How to tell string of pickles needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For string of pickles, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot string of pickles

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. String of pickles's growth habit — trailing/creeping evergreen succulent — sets the pace. String of pickles (Othonna capensis 'Little Pickles') is a trailing South African succulent with bean-shaped leaves on purple stems that flush ruby-red in strong light, plus small yellow daisy flowers. It needs bright light, gritty soil, and sparse soak-and-dry watering. Not on the ASPCA list, so treat as mildly toxic and verify with a vet.

What size pot to step string of pickles up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. String of pickles stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot string of pickles

Spring or summer, while string of pickles is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting string of pickles

Repot dry. Do not water string of pickles for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty gritty, sharply draining cactus/succulent mix ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set string of pickles at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep string of pickles completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for string of pickles

String of pickles wants gritty, sharply draining cactus/succulent mix. A fast-draining blend such as cactus mix cut with extra coarse sand, perlite, or pumice (roughly 1:1 grit to organic matter). Excellent drainage is essential — the fleshy roots rot quickly in dense, water-retentive soil. Plant in a pot with drainage holes. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting string of pickles — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot string of pickles?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for string of pickles. Repot string of pickles every 2–3 years into a snug pot of gritty, sharply draining cactus/succulent mix, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does string of pickles need?

When is the best time of year to repot string of pickles?

Should you water string of pickles after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot string of pickles into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise string of pickles after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting string of pickles. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.