Having plants in your apartment is an excellent way of enhancing its overall appearance. Studies have also shown that indoor plants are a great source of pleasure known to boost creativity, relieve stress, elevate moods, and improve indoor air quality. Having a string of tears in your apartment is a great way to relieve stress.
The String of Tears is one plant that should be right there on top of the list when picking in-house plants. In this guide, we share with you everything you need to know about caring for this plant to ensure it grows strong and healthy.
Overview
String of Tears, historically known as Senecio herreianus, is a perennial succulent plant from the Asteraceae family. The plant, which hails from Namibia in South Africa, is close to the String of Banana (Senecio Radicans) and String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) plants.
The plant gets its name from its spherical, tear-shaped foliage with slightly pointed tips and creeping stems covered by silver or white hairs. Its stems sprawl over the edges of hanging baskets or containers resembling a beaded necklace and can grow up to one foot in length. When the stems touch the ground, they root and form some dense mats. The low-growing plant may have colorful stamens and produces white trumpet-shaped flowers.
Other common names for the String of Tears plant include:
- Curio herreaeus
- String of Beads
- String of Teardrops
- String of Raindrops
- String of Watermelons
Unique Features of String of Tears
- An indoor plant whose ideal position is on the East or West facing window.
- A potted plant that looks best in hanging baskets.
- Its attractive-looking leaves are succulent and able to survive dry spells.
- If growing the plant outdoors, bring it indoors for the winter season.
- The plant is cultivated for its ornamental properties, with its tear-shaped leaves beautifully cascading over the handing basket or container’s edges.
- String of tears flowers in summer and has a mild cinnamon-like fragrance.
- The plant takes two years to reach maturity, with the expected size being 10cm high, 30cm spread (minimum) and 30cm high, 50 cm spread 9maximum)
Caring for String of Tears plant (Senecio Herreianus)
It is easy to grow and take care of the String of Tears plant indoors. Here are a few facts you need to pay attention to as you plant and care for the plant.
Soil requirements
The first step in caring for the String of Tears plant is getting the soil type right. The plant does well in well-draining loamy, gravelly, or sandy soil rich in organic matter and has a neutral PH level. You should never plant it in poorly drained soils like clay soil, as the plant’s roots are prone to root rot. A cactus soil mix or a sharply draining succulent soil would be perfect. Remember always to use containers with a good number of drainage holes.
Potting and repotting
The String of Tears plant does not require changing the pots often. Just like other vining succulents, it has a shallow root system and will be okay in a shallow container that is just deep enough for the roots. A smaller well-draining pot is preferred instead of a larger one to prevent waterlogging that can cause root rot.
When the roots begin to come out through the bottom holes of the current pot, then you know it is time for repotting, which may be every three years or so. It does well as a hanging plant where the baskets have strings or wires for cling support. The best time to transplant String of Tears is in over fall or winter seasons.
Propagating
Senecio Herreianus isn’t very hard to propagate. Naturally, the plant’s stems trail along the ground, forming dense mats and setting down roots as they go. You can make cutting at any time of the year, but the spring and early summer seasons have the fastest and quickest rooting and healing chances.
Set a cutting on top of some loose soil or poke the cutting’s end into the loose soil to propagate. Ensure you press the cutting down a bit to have good contact with the soil, and it will begin setting down roots in a few days. Ideally, your cutting should be about three to four inches long.
You can also propagate the plant through leaf cuttings. To do this, dry off the leaf thoroughly and cut off a healthy 25mm section. Put this section into some moist soil and cover it slightly, with the cut end upward facing. Place this in an area with indirect sunlight, water it often, and see some roots sprouting soon.
Light and Temperature
Senecio Herreianus does not do well in direct or too little sunlight. For best chances of survival, position the plant on a bright, sunny window facing the East or West. If you place the plant on the south-facing window that’s brightly lit, there are high chances the plant can get sunburnt.
A position of indirect bright light or partial shade is most preferred. Bring it in before the cold winter season sets in when growing the plant outdoors. This plant is susceptible to frost, thriving well in temperatures between 18-24 degrees Celsius. Humidity requirements are average, which must be retained at about 50%.
Watering Requirements
The super laid-back Senecio Herreianus plant does not like too much water. However, you shouldn’t leave it dry for long periods. Water it every once or two weeks, but only when the soil is dry. You can feel the soil to check if you need to water it. If you can poke about an inch of your finger into the soil with ease and it doesn’t feel moist, it is time to water it.
The plant can store water in its leaves and stems and go for long periods without needing water. It doesn’t tolerate being overwatered, and its roots can quickly rot, so watch on that.
Fertilizing
The best frequency for fertilizing the String of Tears plant is once a year, preferably over summer. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer is most preferred, diluted to a half-strength solution. The plant isn’t a heavy feeder and will do okay with a less-frequent feeding schedule. Over-fertilizing can soften up the plant making it lose its shape.
Grooming and Maintenance
It is necessary to prune this trailing houseplant regularly to maintain its shape. The best time to prune and trim the String’s leaves is between September to October before new sprouts start forming. Poke some of the stem cuttings that you prune into the same potting to fill up any empty spots in the pot and get a better covering. Care should be taken that you don’t cut off the healthy leaves.
Pruning will help improve air circulation around the plant’s foliage and reduce humidity build-up. Trim it up to the level new String leaves are growing, but be careful not to over-trim it. Under trimming will have the String plant’s stems grow too tall for its pot in a very short time. Trimming leaves fewer String leaf sheaths, which translates to more flowers in the next season.
Pests and Diseases
When String of Tears is well taken care of, it is usually pest-free. However, the plant is prone to certain pests like aphids, spider mites, whitefly, mealybug, and scale insects. The plant can also develop diseases like botrytis blight, verticillium wilt, and fungal disease.
Pathogens like rust and powdery dew infect Senecio herreianus over the periods when the plant isn’t receiving proper care or is under stress. Treat plants affected by these pathogens using fungicides, or they will remain affected throughout their lives. The best way to stop pests and diseases from attacking your String of Tears plant is by giving it proper care. Ensure your plant receives ample light, high humidity, and good air circulation.
If these alternatives fail to work, take some healthy cuttings to start over and discard the diseased plant. The container should be thoroughly cleaned, and fresh perlite mix and potting soil used. Rinse these cuttings thoroughly and then allow them to air dry before setting them in the soil.
Q&A
Q: Why is my String of Tears plant dying?
A: Planting your String of Tears plant in soils that retain excessive moisture and watering it too often can cause the plant to die. Also, failing to water the plant and exposing it to extreme sunlight can cause it to shrivel and die.
Q: What is the lifespan of the String of Tears plant?
A: With enough care, light, and fertilizer, the String of Tears plant can grow quite vigorously and survive for an average of five years. If you keep propagating new cuttings from the plant, you can keep the plant alive indefinitely.
Q: Is the String of Tears plant toxic?
A: Senecio herreianus is mildly toxic to pets and humans and should never be consumed. Wear gloves when handling it and keep it away from children and pets.
Q: Is Senecio herreianus invasive?
A: Care should be taken with the Senecio herreianus plant as it can become very invasive. When planted outdoors, ensure it isn’t near other plants, properties, or roads as it spreads easily and quickly.
Final Thoughts
String of Tears cascades over the edges of a hanging basket, serving an ornamental purpose in your home. It also provides your home with a soothing ambiance, helping promote good health and wellness. When grown outdoors in conducive climates, the plant can trail over rocks and become an interesting addition to your rock garden.