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Ruby Ball

5.0 out of 5 (1 experiences)

Survivor

Also known as

Red Cap Cactus, Red Hibotan and Moon Cactus

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Gymnocalycium mihanovichii 'Hibotan'

Genus

Gymnocalycium

Family

Cactaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

How to care for Ruby Ball

💦 Water

How often to water your Ruby Ball

Ruby Ball needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Ruby Ball in your home

Ruby Ball love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Ruby Ball does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Ruby Ball in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Ruby Ball

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Ruby Ball: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Ruby Ball after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #RubyBall

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Ruby Ball thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Ruby Ball Water Frequency →

Ruby Ball Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Ruby Ball requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Ruby Ball Light Requirements →

Ruby Ball Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Ruby Ball is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

💨 Humidity

Ruby Ball prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Ruby Ball Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Ruby Ball is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Ruby Ball →

When and How to Successfully Repot Ruby Ball →

💩 Fertilizer

Ruby Ball grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Ruby Ball →

🌎 Native Region

Ruby Ball is native to South America.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Ruby Ball can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Ruby Ball Temperature Tolerance →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Ruby Ball. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!