1/10

String of Tears

5.0 out of 5 (1 experiences)

Fast grower

Large, lush leaves

About String of Tears

String of tears evolved their signature shape as an adaptation to store water in dry environments. In place of leaves, cells in the green tears perform photosynthesis to feed the plant. Translucent crescents act like windows to allow sunlight to reach cells on the inside of the tear and increase their ability to capture the sun! 🪟☀️

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Curio citriformis

Genus

Curio

Family

Asteraceae

Order

Asterales

How to care for String of Tears

💦 Water

How often to water your String of Tears

String of Tears 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 String of Tears in your home

String of Tears love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

String of Tears does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize String of Tears

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for String of Tears: 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 String of Tears after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Curio

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

String of Tears 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.

☀️ Sunlight Needs

String of Tears 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 🏡.

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

String of Tears 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

String of Tears 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.

🪴 Soil

String of Tears 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 Pots for String of Tears →

What Are Healthy String of Tears Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

String of Tears 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!

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for String of Tears to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

String of Tears is native to Southwestern Africa.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
String of Tears can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

String of Tears Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with String of Tears →

When to Plant String of Tears →

How to Plant String of Tears →

Where to Plant String of Tears →

Winter Care for String of Tears →

Best Companion Plants for String of Tears →

Is String of Tears a Weed? →

🧐 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.

What Eats String of Tears? →