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Chinese Pearl Barley

About Chinese Pearl Barley

The Job grass is a tropical perennial grass native to Southeast Asia, but has naturalized in the southern United States. Some varieties have seeds with hard pseudocarps and are used for jewelry, while others have softer ones used for cereal crops and folk medicine. In the Cherokee Nation and Eastern Band of Cherokee the beads of Job's tears are used in personal attire.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Coix lacryma-jobi

Genus

Coix

Family

Poaceae

Order

Poales

Also known as

Job's Tears, Job's Tears, Job's-tears, Adlay, Adlay millet, Coixseed, Tear grass, Yi yi and Chinese pearl barley

How to care for Chinese Pearl Barley

💦 Water

How often to water your Chinese Pearl Barley

Chinese Pearl Barley needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 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
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Job's Tears in your home

Chinese Pearl Barley love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Chinese Pearl Barley does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Chinese Pearl Barley in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Chinese Pearl Barley

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Chinese Pearl Barley: 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 Chinese Pearl Barley after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Chinese Pearl Barley prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Job's Tears Water Frequency →

Job's Tears Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Chinese Pearl Barley 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 🏡.

Job's Tears Light Requirements →

Job's Tears Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

Job's Tears Toxicity to Cats →

Job's Tears Toxicity to Dogs →

Job's Tears Toxicity to Humans →

🪴 Soil

Chinese Pearl Barley does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Job's Tears →

When and How to Successfully Repot Job's Tears →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Chinese Pearl Barley can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Job's Tears Temperature Tolerance →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Chinese Pearl Barley can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Job's Tears →

🧐 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.