Asteraceae
String of Tears – Curio citriformis
Curio citriformis
A low-maintenance succulent that thrives with bright light and excellent drainage. Water every 2-3 weeks in the growing season, and reduce to once every 4-6 weeks in winter. Always allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. Do not mist — succulents are sensitive to moisture on their leaves. Fertilize once a year in spring with a diluted balanced fertilizer.
Every 21 days
Bright indirect
5° - 27°C
30% - 50%
Categories
What is String of Tears?
String of Tears (Curio citriformis) is a easy-care plant from the Asteraceae family. String of Tears (Curio citriformis) is a charming trailing succulent native to the arid regions of South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini. Its slender, arching stems bear plump teardrop- or lemon-shaped leaves with a characteristic translucent stripe called a window that channels light for internal pho...
String of Tears grows up to 10cm, spread of 90cm, watering every 21 days, 5°C – 27°C, 30–50% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, String of Tears tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 42 days.
How to Care for String of Tears?
TLDR: String of Tears needs Bright indirect, watering every 21 days, and temperatures between 5-27°C with 30-50% humidity.
How Often Should You Water String of Tears?
Use the soak-and-dry method: water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom, then wait until the top inch of soil is completely dry before watering again. In winter dormancy, reduce watering significantly. Overwatering is the most common cause of death — when in doubt, wait.
How Much Light Does String of Tears Need?
Place in a spot with 6-8 hours of bright, direct to bright indirect sunlight daily. A south- or west-facing window is ideal indoors. Outdoors, provide partial to full sun. Avoid intense midday sun in summer, which can scorch leaves.
What Is the Best Soil for String of Tears?
Use a well-draining succulent and cactus mix. Amend with equal parts perlite and coarse sand for added drainage. Target a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Never use regular garden soil — it retains too much moisture and will cause root rot.
What Pot Should You Use for String of Tears?
Unglazed terracotta or ceramic hanging planter with a drainage hole. The porous nature of terracotta helps wick away excess moisture, reducing the risk of root rot. Hanging or elevated pots allow the trailing stems to cascade beautifully.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 365 days
Repot
Every 730 days
What Is String of Tears and Where Does It Come From?
String of Tears (Curio citriformis) is a charming trailing succulent native to the arid regions of South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini. Its slender, arching stems bear plump teardrop- or lemon-shaped leaves with a characteristic translucent stripe called a window that channels light for internal photosynthesis — a remarkable adaptation to its dry native habitat. A slow-growing plant with a graceful cascading habit, it is ideal for hanging baskets and elevated planters where its long, trailing stems can drape freely. In late summer and fall, it produces small daisy-like flowers in creamy yellow to white, attracting bees and butterflies.
How to Propagate String of Tears?
Stem Cutting
Use clean, sharp scissors to avoid crushing the stem. Do not overwater during rooting — excess moisture is the number one cause of failure.
- 1 Cut a healthy stem 2-4 inches long with clean, sterile scissors
- 2 Remove leaves from the bottom half of the cutting
- 3 Allow the cut end to callous for 1-2 days in a dry spot
- 4 Plant in barely moist, well-draining succulent mix
- 5 Place in bright indirect light and water lightly after one week
Materials needed:
How Big Does String of Tears Grow?
TLDR: String of Tears can reach up to 10cm tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
10cm
Spread
90cm
Growth rate
Slow
Foliage
Evergreen
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect String of Tears?
TLDR: String of Tears is susceptible to 6 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Overwatering
Overwatering occurs when plants receive too much water, depriving roots of oxygen and causing root rot. This environmental stress is one of the most common causes of houseplant death, as waterlogged soil prevents roots from breathing and functioning properly.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cottony material. They are common pests of houseplants and outdoor plants in mild climates. These sap-sucking insects feed on plant tissue, causing damage, stunted growth, and can lead to plant death if left untreated. They produce sticky honeydew which attracts sooty mold.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease caused by various fungi species including Erysiphe, Podosphaera, Oïdium, and Leveillula. It affects over 10,000 plant species worldwide. The disease thrives in warm, dry climates with high humidity and appears as a distinctive white powdery coating on plant surfaces.
Meaning & Symbolism
Symbolizes resilience, quiet beauty, and the ability to thrive under hardship. Its teardrop leaves are often associated with emotional strength and perseverance.
Fun Facts
The distinctive translucent stripe on each teardrop leaf, called a window, is a rare adaptation that allows sunlight to reach inner photosynthetic tissue, helping the plant photosynthesize with minimal exposed leaf surface in its arid homeland.
Trailing stems can grow up to 90 cm (3 feet) long, creating stunning living curtains in hanging planters.
Although it looks very different from daisies and sunflowers, String of Tears belongs to the Asteraceae family — one of the largest plant families on Earth.
Curio citriformis was reclassified from the genus Senecio following molecular phylogenetic studies that distinguished it as part of a separate clade.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water String of Tears?
Is String of Tears toxic to cats and dogs?
How much light does String of Tears need?
Why are my String of Tears leaves shriveling?
Can I grow String of Tears indoors?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Cushion Bush | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Wild Lettuce | Medium | Direct sun | 7d | ⚠️ |
