How to Grow Ruby Necklace Plant
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Ruby Necklace Plant
Delosperma nubigenum
flowerDelosperma nubigenum is a tender, trailing succulent groundcover native to South Africa, prized for its distinctive bead-like foliage that turns vibrant ruby-red in cool temperatures and bright light. It produces delicate magenta-pink flowers in summer and grows as a spreading mat, making it ideal for containers, hanging baskets, and rock gardens. This cold-hardy ice plant thrives in arid conditions and requires minimal maintenance once established.
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Example Ruby Necklace Plant timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Ruby Necklace Plant
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Ruby Necklace Plant blooms
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Ruby Necklace Plant dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9-11; hardy to zone 8 in well-draining soil with winter protection
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Get my Ruby Necklace Plant timeline →Growth Stages
Propagule/Establishment
2-4 weeksTiny succulent rosettes with 2-4 pairs of bead-like leaves, pale green to light pink coloration
Keep soil barely moist (not wet) for first 2-3 weeks. Provide bright indirect light initially, then gradually move to full sun. Use well-draining propagation mix. Roots develop quickly from leaf nodes.
Vegetative/Rosette Development
4-8 weeksExpanding rosettes forming dense mats, foliage gradually accumulates pearl-like beads, green to bronze coloring depending on light and temperature
Increase light to full sun exposure. Begin regular but sparse watering—allow soil to dry completely between waterings. Do not fertilize; excess nutrients reduce hardiness. Thin overcrowded areas if needed. Provide cool nights (50-60°F) to enhance coloration.
Pre-Flowering/Color Development
3-6 weeksMature rosettes displaying intense ruby-red or deep magenta coloration in cool temperatures and bright light, foliage becomes compact and jewel-toned
Maintain full sun and cool temperatures (below 70°F at night when possible) to maximize red pigmentation. Reduce watering to minimal levels in fall. Do not overwater as this diminishes color intensity and increases disease risk. Suspend all fertilizing.
Flowering
4-10 weeksDelicate 5-petaled magenta-pink flowers (0.5-0.75 inches diameter) emerging from the center and upper leaf nodes of rosettes, appearing in clusters
Maintain dry conditions with minimal watering. Flowers last 1-2 days each but are produced continuously through summer-early fall. Deadheading not necessary as plant remains attractive without it. Continue full sun exposure. Cooler temperatures extend flowering season.
Post-Flowering/Dormancy Preparation
8-16 weeksFlowering diminishes in late fall as temperatures drop; foliage deepens to dark ruby-red or burgundy, growth slows dramatically
Reduce watering to almost none during winter dormancy (cold-hardy to zone 8 but growth stops). In warm zones (10-11), continue minimal water. Protect from hard freezes below 25°F with frost cloth or move containers indoors. No fertilizing during dormancy. Resume normal watering and care in spring.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with 70% isopropyl alcohol or insecticidal soap; isolate affected plants; improve air circulation and reduce humidity
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Rinse with water spray; use neem oil or miticide in severe cases; maintain air circulation; avoid overwatering
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Prevention is critical—use well-draining soil and reduce watering. Remove affected plants and discard soil. Repot in fresh, sterile succulent mix. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
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Remove manually with a soft brush; spray with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap; isolate and monitor treated plants
Uses
Container Gardens & Succulents
CraftDelosperma nubigenum is highly prized for mixed succulent container arrangements, living walls, and hypertufa planters due to its dramatic color-changing foliage and trailing habit. Its bead-like leaves create striking visual texture in contemporary and modern garden designs. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe delicate pink flowers attract pollinators including bees, butterflies, and small insects during the long summer-to-fall blooming period. This provides a late-season nectar source in arid and rock gardens. [source]
Low-Maintenance Groundcover
HouseholdIdeal for xeriscaping, rock gardens, alpine troughs, and hanging baskets, requiring minimal water, fertilizer, or pruning. Perfect for coastal gardens, urban containers, and areas with poor soil quality. [source]
Edible Succulent
CulinaryLike many Delosperma species, the leaves and flowers are technically edible and mildly succulent, though rarely harvested for culinary use. Some gardeners use them sparingly as garnishes for their striking appearance and subtle tangy flavor. [source]
Traditional Use in Ethnobotany
MedicinalNative to South Africa, ice plants have been used traditionally in folk medicine as cooling topical preparations. Modern research is limited, but the plant's succulent nature suggests potential anti-inflammatory properties consistent with other Delosperma species. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Delosperma nubigenum is ornamental; harvest is not applicable. For propagation, pinch off healthy rosettes or individual leaves in spring-summer and allow to callus for 2-3 days before placing on dry succulent soil. Leaves will root within 2-4 weeks in bright light without watering until roots form.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The common name 'Ice Plant' refers to the glistening, ice-like bladder cells (papillae) covering the leaves that catch light and water droplets, making the plant appear to shimmer like frozen crystals.
- 🌱 Delosperma nubigenum's foliage transforms from pale green or bronze to deep ruby-red or magenta in response to high light intensity and cool temperatures—a pigment production response similar to how leaves turn red in autumn.
- 🌱 This species is native to the high-altitude regions of South Africa (Lesotho area), where it grows among rocks and experiences cold winters, making it one of the hardiest ice plants and capable of surviving brief freezes to 25°F (-3.9°C).
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