The ‘Ruby Slipper Plant’ (Echeveria harmsii ‘Ruby Slippers’) is a popular succulent, prized for its distinctive foliage and vibrant coloration. It is a favorite for both indoor and outdoor cultivation, appealing to enthusiasts and those seeking unique beauty.
Identifying the Ruby Slipper Plant
The ‘Ruby Slipper Plant’ is readily identifiable by its unique physical characteristics. It features fleshy, paddle-shaped leaves that are typically green or grayish-green. The leaves are often covered with a soft, silvery fuzz, contributing to its common name “Plush Plant.” This velvety texture helps protect the plant from intense sun. A defining feature is the striking red or deep pink-red coloration that develops along the edges and tips of its leaves. The plant grows in a rosette form, with leaves arranged in a circular pattern, and can develop into a shrub-like succulent with woody stems, reaching heights of up to 10-12 inches and spreading up to 15 inches.
Essential Care for Your Ruby Slipper Plant
Providing the right environmental conditions helps ensure the health and vibrant coloration of your ‘Ruby Slipper Plant’. As a succulent, it has specific requirements for light, water, and soil that differ from many common houseplants. Understanding these needs allows the plant to thrive.
Light Requirements
‘Ruby Slipper Plants’ require abundant bright, direct sunlight to develop their characteristic red tips. Providing approximately six hours of direct sunlight daily, particularly morning sun, helps enhance these vibrant colors. Insufficient light can lead to a less vibrant red coloration and may cause the plant to stretch, a condition known as etiolation. While it thrives in bright light, extremely harsh, unfiltered afternoon sun can potentially scorch the delicate leaves, appearing as brown or white patches.
Watering Needs
This succulent requires infrequent but thorough watering. The “soak and dry” method is effective, where the soil is allowed to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering can lead to issues such as bloated leaves, yellowing, and root rot, which can harm the plant. During cooler winter months when the plant enters dormancy, watering frequency should be significantly reduced.
Soil and Potting
A well-draining soil mix is important for the ‘Ruby Slipper Plant’ to prevent waterlogging and root rot. A sandy mix or a specialized succulent/cactus potting mix is recommended. Pots must have drainage holes to allow excess water to escape. Repotting is generally infrequent, needed only when the plant becomes root-bound, and is best done during its growing season, typically every one to two years.
Temperature and Humidity
‘Ruby Slipper Plants’ prefer warm temperatures, thriving within average indoor temperature ranges, typically between 65-80°F. If grown outdoors in regions with cold winters, they should be brought inside or protected from freezing temperatures. These succulents are well-adapted to dry air, as high humidity is generally not required and can be detrimental, potentially leading to fungal issues.
Fertilization
Fertilization is not strictly necessary for the ‘Ruby Slipper Plant’, as these succulents are quite hardy and can grow without additional nutrients. However, a light application of diluted succulent fertilizer during the growing season can encourage flowering and enhance the intensity of the red leaf tips. Over-fertilization can harm the plant, so any feeding should be done sparingly, perhaps once a year.
Propagating Ruby Slipper Plants
Propagating ‘Ruby Slipper Plants’ is a straightforward process, primarily achieved through stem or leaf cuttings. To propagate from a leaf, carefully remove a healthy leaf from the stem, ensuring the entire leaf base is intact. Allow the cutting to callus by letting it dry for a day or several days until the cut end forms a dry seal. Once callused, place the leaf or stem cutting on top of or slightly inserted into well-draining soil. Provide bright, indirect light and mist the soil periodically to maintain slight moisture until roots begin to form, which typically occurs after a couple of weeks.
Common Problems and Troubleshooting
Several common issues can affect the ‘Ruby Slipper Plant’, but most are easily remedied with proper care adjustments. A common concern is the loss of the plant’s signature “ruby” coloration, which typically indicates insufficient light exposure. Moving the plant to a brighter location with more direct sunlight will usually restore the vibrant red hues. If leaves appear soft, mushy, or the stem shows signs of rot, overwatering and poor drainage are often the culprits. Adjusting watering practices to allow the soil to dry completely between waterings and ensuring adequate drainage can resolve these issues. Pests such as mealybugs and aphids can occasionally infest ‘Ruby Slipper Plants’. These can be treated by gently wiping the affected areas with rubbing alcohol or by applying a diluted neem oil solution. Scorched leaves, appearing as brown or white patches, result from too much intense, direct sunlight without proper acclimatization. Providing slight shade during the hottest parts of the day or gradually introducing the plant to higher light levels can prevent this.
Is the Ruby Slipper Plant Toxic?
The ‘Ruby Slipper Plant’, Echeveria harmsii ‘Ruby Slippers’, is generally considered safe for pets and children. While ingestion is not expected to cause severe toxicity, it is advisable to prevent pets and children from eating the leaves, as ingesting plant material can damage the plant itself.