Care Disclaimer: Plant care recommendations are general guidelines based on common growing conditions. Individual results may vary based on your local environment, climate, and care routine. If your plant is toxic, keep it away from children and pets, and consult a veterinarian if accidental ingestion occurs.
1.String of Tears — Overview
Curio citriformis, commonly known as the String of Tears, is a captivating succulent belonging to the Asteraceae family, renowned for its distinctive morphology and trailing growth habit. Its stems can extend gracefully up to 60 centimeters, adorned with small, cylindrical, and notably fleshy leaves that typically measure between 2-4 centimeters in length. These leaves present a vibrant rich green hue, often exhibiting a glistening surface that enhances their aesthetic appeal, and may occasionally adopt a subtle yellow tint under optimal light conditions.
The plant's blooming season spans late spring to summer, during which it produces delicate, tubular flowers. These cream-colored to pale yellow blossoms form charming clusters at the ends of its trailing stems and are known to emit a subtle, honey-like fragrance, attracting various pollinators. Native to the arid and semi-arid rocky terrains of South Africa, Curio citriformis is well-adapted to environments requiring efficient water conservation, thriving in well-draining soil and bright, indirect sunlight.
Taxonomically, it falls under the genus Curio, a group of succulents celebrated for their striking appearance and remarkable resilience. This species is particularly favored for urban and indoor environments due to its tolerance for varying conditions, making it a popular choice among plant enthusiasts and indoor gardeners who appreciate its unique tear-shaped leaves cascading elegantly from hanging pots or shelves.
Trusted Scientific References
1. Authoritative external sources for Curio citriformis
1.1 Wikipedia — Curio citriformis
1.2 Kew POWO (Plants of the World Online)
1.3 PubMed — peer-reviewed research
1.4 NCBI Taxonomy Browser
1.5 GBIF — Global Biodiversity
1.6String of Tears should be interpreted through verified botanical identity, practical care, and responsible safety language. This recovery note adds the missing context needed for a complete profile: match light to the plant's habit, use well-drained soil, water according to season, and avoid unsupported medicinal or edible claims. For publishing, the plant can be presented as a source-backed indoor plant with clear care guidance, common problem diagnosis, and conservative safety wording.
1.1.String of Tears — Key Features
- ✓ <strong>Trailing Growth Habit</strong> — Long stems cascade beautifully, ideal for hanging displays.
- ✓ <strong>Tear</strong> — shaped Fleshy Leaves — Distinctive cylindrical, succulent leaves resembling tears.
- ✓ <strong>Drought Tolerance</strong> — Highly adapted to arid conditions, requiring minimal watering.
- ✓ <strong>Low Maintenance</strong> — Resilient and easy to care for, suitable for novice gardeners.
- ✓ <strong>Ornamental Appeal</strong> — Enhances indoor and outdoor spaces with unique visual texture.
- ✓ <strong>South African Native</strong> — Indigenous to rocky, arid regions of Southern Africa.
- ✓ <strong>Asteraceae Family Member</strong> — Belongs to the large daisy family, though a succulent.
- ✓ <strong>Honey</strong> — like Fragrant Flowers — Produces delicate cream-colored blooms in late spring to summer.
- ✓ <strong>Air Purifying Qualities</strong> — Contributes to a healthier indoor environment (general plant benefit).
- ✓ <strong>Resilient and Adaptable</strong> — Tolerates varying indoor conditions well, making it versatile.
1.2.String of Tears — Quick Summary
- ✓ Ornamental succulent prized for its unique trailing habit and tear-shaped leaves.
- ✓ Native to South Africa, adapted to arid, rocky environments.
- ✓ Requires bright, indirect light and well-draining soil; highly drought-tolerant.
- ✓ Primarily valued for aesthetic appeal and general indoor air quality benefits, with no significant documented medicinal uses.
- ✓ Generally low toxicity but ingestion is not recommended for humans or pets.
- ✓ Easy to care for, making it popular for indoor gardening.
2.String of Tears — Scientific Identity
3.String of Tears — Quick Facts
4.String of Tears — Appearance & Identification
5.String of Tears — Native Habitat
6.String of Tears — Water Requirements
- ✓ Light — Provide bright, indirect sunlight for optimal growth; direct harsh sun can scorch leaves, while insufficient light leads to leggy growth.
- ✓ Soil — Utilize an extremely well-draining succulent or cactus mix, ideally with a high mineral content (e.g., pumice, perlite) to prevent root rot.
- ✓ Watering — Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, typically every 2-4 weeks depending on environmental conditions, as overwatering is the most common cause of decline.
- ✓ Temperature — Prefers warm temperatures between 20-30°C (68-86°F); protect from frost, as its minimum tolerance is around -3°C (27°F).
- ✓ Humidity — Tolerates average indoor humidity levels; low humidity is generally preferred, mimicking its native arid environment.
- ✓ Fertilization — Feed sparingly with a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer once a month during the active growing season (spring and summer), abstaining in fall and winter.
- ✓ Propagation — Easily propagated from stem cuttings; allow cut ends to callus for several days before planting in dry, well-draining soil to prevent rot.
- ✓ Repotting — Repot only when root-bound, typically every 2-3 years, ensuring the new pot has ample drainage holes.
Reviewed by the Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel
Multi-disciplinary editorial group · Botany · Ethnobotany · Herbal-medicine literature
Who reviewed this: This page was checked by the Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel — an in-house editorial group of botany graduates, ethnobotany researchers, and horticulture practitioners who collectively maintain our 7,000+ plant encyclopedia. Meet the team.
Our 4-step verification process
1. Taxonomic verification
Scientific names and synonyms cross-checked against Kew POWO, World Flora Online, and The Plant List.
2. Phytochemical & medicinal cross-reference
Active compounds, traditional uses, and reported activities are cross-referenced with PubMed, USDA Dr. Duke's database, and peer-reviewed ethnobotanical literature.
3. Conservation & distribution check
Distribution, ecology, and conservation status confirmed against GBIF occurrence records and the IUCN Red List.
4. Editorial & safety review
Every entry passes an editorial pass for clarity, originality, and safety notices (toxicity, contraindications, dosage caveats) before publication.
Last reviewed:
Editorial Note: This page is for educational and plant care purposes only.
Written by: Flora Medical Global Editorial Team
Reviewed by: Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel
Last Updated: June 15, 2026
String of Tears — Comments & Community Reviews
Rate this plant