String of Tears

String of Tears (Senecio herreianus or Curio herreianus), a succulent from the Asteraceae family, originates from the dry regions of Namibia and South Africa. In its natural habitat, this plant cascades over rocky outcrops and sandy soils, developing long trailing stems adorned with distinctive teardrop-shaped leaves. This is a beginner-friendly plant that rewards minimal effort with maximum visual impact. 🌿 Here's a fun fact: the tiny transparent "windows" on each teardrop leaf allow sunlight to penetrate deep into the leaf tissue, an adaptation that helps the plant photosynthesize efficiently in its harsh native environment.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This plant grows as a trailing succulent with thin, wiry stems that can reach several feet in length when mature. The leaves are shaped like small teardrops or elongated beads, roughly the size of a pea, and grow alternately along the stems. Leaf colour ranges from bright green to blue-green depending on light exposure, and each leaf has a semi-translucent quality with visible striping. The texture is smooth and plump, typical of water-storing succulents.
FLOWER DETAILS
String of Tears produces small, white to cream-coloured flowers that resemble tiny daisies or dandelion puffs. The blooms appear at the ends of stems and carry a mild, sweet fragrance reminiscent of cinnamon or cloves. While not the main attraction, the delicate flowers add unexpected charm to an already interesting plant. Flowering typically occurs in late summer or early fall when the plant receives adequate light and experiences slight temperature fluctuations. To encourage blooming, provide bright indirect light and allow the plant to experience cooler nighttime temperatures during fall months.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Bright indirect light for 4-6 hours daily. Can tolerate some morning sun but avoid harsh afternoon rays which can scorch leaves.
💧 Water: Water deeply but infrequently. In spring and summer, water when soil is completely dry, usually every 10-14 days. In fall and winter, reduce to once every 3-4 weeks. Water at the soil level to avoid wetting the stems and leaves.
🌡️ Humidity: Thrives in low humidity, 30-40% is ideal. Tolerates typical dry indoor conditions without issue.
🪴 Soil: Well-draining cactus or succulent mix. Add perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage if needed.
🏺 Potting: Shallow pot with drainage holes, terracotta or ceramic preferred. Pot should be 1-2 inches larger than root ball. Repot every 2-3 years in spring.
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate growth. Stems extend 6-8 inches over 6 months, 12-18 inches annually. Mature plants can trail 2-3 feet or more.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed monthly during spring and summer with diluted (half-strength) succulent fertilizer. Skip fertilizing in fall and winter.
🐾 Pet friendly: No. String of Tears is toxic to cats and dogs. Ingestion can cause vomiting, drooling, and gastrointestinal upset due to toxic compounds common in Senecio species.
WHERE TO PUT IT
String of Tears looks stunning in hanging baskets near bright windows, on high shelves where stems can cascade freely, or in mixed succulent arrangements. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, home offices, or sunrooms with good natural light. Display it anywhere you want to add vertical interest or soften hard edges. Avoid placing it in dimly lit bathrooms, dark corners, or areas with high humidity like near kitchen sinks or shower stalls, as these conditions promote rot and leggy growth.