Watering schedule

How often to water String of pickles (Othonna capensis 'Little Pickles' (syn. Crassothonna capensis)) — the schedule

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

More about string of pickles

Watering at a glance

Base rhythm	When the soil is fully dry, roughly every 2-3 weeks
Spring / summer	Spring and summer: soak fully, then leave it alone until the soil is dry all the way down — usually around every 2-3 weeks.
Autumn	Autumn: ease off as growth slows; stretch the gap noticeably longer than the summer rhythm.
Winter	Winter: water sparingly, roughly once a month or even less in a cool room. The thick leaves carry it through.
Light	Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

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.

Ideal humidity: 30-50%

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

The watering schedule, season by season

String of pickles stores water in its thick leaves and stems, so when in doubt, wait — it survives drought far better than soggy soil. The base rhythm for string of pickles is when the soil is fully dry, roughly every 2-3 weeks, but the real interval moves with the season, the light and the pot — so treat the figures below as a starting point and always confirm with the plant itself.

Spring & summer (active growth): Spring and summer: soak fully, then leave it alone until the soil is dry all the way down — usually around every 2-3 weeks.
Autumn (slowing down): Autumn: ease off as growth slows; stretch the gap noticeably longer than the summer rhythm.
Winter (rest / dormancy): Winter: water sparingly, roughly once a month or even less in a cool room. The thick leaves carry it through.

Use the soak-and-dry method: water thoroughly, then let the mix dry out completely before watering again. Shrivelled, wrinkled leaves signal thirst; soft, mushy, translucent leaves signal overwatering. Cut back sharply in winter when growth slows.

Want this turned into a live reminder that adjusts to your home and the weather? The Growli watering calculator takes your pot size, light and season and returns a starting interval for string of pickles in seconds.

How to tell string of pickles needs water

A calendar is the worst way to water string of pickles. Check the plant and the soil instead — for this species, look for these signals in order:

The lower or oldest leaves feel slightly soft or look a touch wrinkled.
The pot is noticeably light when lifted.
Soil is dry several centimetres down, not just at the surface.

The most reliable single check is the first one on that list. When two signals agree, water; when they disagree, wait a day and look again — under-watering string of pickles for a day is almost always safer than over-watering it.

Overwatering vs underwatering string of pickles

The two failure modes can look alike at a glance, so check the soil weight and wetness before you decide. For string of pickles specifically:

Signs you are overwatering

Leaves turn translucent, yellow, soft and mushy — classic overwatering.
Lower stem darkens or goes squishy at soil level.
Whole rosettes or sections drop at the lightest touch.

Signs you are underwatering

Leaves pucker, wrinkle or curl inward — a harmless thirst signal that reverses fast after a soak.
Older leaves dry crisp from the tips first.

Overwatering is the number-one killer of string of pickles. The thick leaves are a water tank — a slightly thirsty plant recovers in a day; a waterlogged one rots from the roots up.

Water quality notes

Tap water is generally fine for string of pickles; the soak-and-dry rhythm matters far more than water type.

Seasonal and environmental adjusters

Every figure above shifts with the conditions in your home. For string of pickles, the levers that matter most are:

A gritty, free-draining mix is essential — ordinary potting soil holds too much water for this plant.
Terracotta dries faster and is more forgiving than plastic or glazed ceramic.
More light and warmth speed drying, so the interval shortens in peak summer — always check, never assume.

Pot choice is part of this too — work out the right size with the pot size calculator, since a pot that is too big stays wet long enough to rot the roots of string of pickles.

String of pickles watering — frequently asked questions

How often should I water string of pickles?

Water string of pickles when the soil is fully dry, roughly every 2-3 weeks. Spring and summer: soak fully, then leave it alone until the soil is dry all the way down — usually around every 2-3 weeks. Winter: water sparingly, roughly once a month or even less in a cool room. The thick leaves carry it through.

How do I know when string of pickles needs water?

The lower or oldest leaves feel slightly soft or look a touch wrinkled. The pot is noticeably light when lifted. Soil is dry several centimetres down, not just at the surface. The single most reliable test for string of pickles is the first signal on that list — checking the soil or the plant directly always beats watering by the calendar.

What does an overwatered string of pickles look like?

Leaves turn translucent, yellow, soft and mushy — classic overwatering. Lower stem darkens or goes squishy at soil level. Whole rosettes or sections drop at the lightest touch. Overwatering is the number-one killer of string of pickles. The thick leaves are a water tank — a slightly thirsty plant recovers in a day; a waterlogged one rots from the roots up.

What are the signs of an underwatered string of pickles?

Leaves pucker, wrinkle or curl inward — a harmless thirst signal that reverses fast after a soak. Older leaves dry crisp from the tips first.

Can I use tap water on string of pickles?