String of Tears • Variegated Form Care Guide

Care overview

Variegated growth needs brighter light to keep good colour. Avoid overwatering, especially while rooting.

Light

Bright, indirect light with some gentle morning sun. Variegation needs higher light but avoid harsh afternoon sun.

Watering

Allow soil to dry fully between waterings. Water less often in winter.

Humidity

Moderate humidity is fine. Avoid overly damp, stagnant conditions.

Temperature

18–28°C

Feeding and fertiliser

Feed lightly every 6–8 weeks during spring and summer with a dilute cactus or succulent fertiliser. Do not feed unrooted propagations.

Potting mix

50% potting mix, 30% perlite, 20% fine pumice

Propagation

Stem cuttings or tuber propagation

Support

Hanging — best for long trailing vines and classic display. Trellis — can be trained upward for a fuller pot and easier cutting management.

Mature size

Mature indoor size varies with the species, support, light and root space. Expect gradual development into a fuller specimen rather than a fixed final size.

Semi-hydro suitability

Suitability depends on the plant, root condition and the chosen semi-hydro system.

Dormancy and winter growth

No true dormancy is normally required indoors. Growth may slow during the darker UK winter, so reduce watering and feeding in line with the plant's actual growth rate.

About this plant

String of Tears (Curio herreanus) is held in the Snip & Sprout permanent collection and propagated in small batches when suitable parent growth is available.

Mealybugs

Likely cause

Mealybugs may hide in leaf joints, stems, crevices and around the root zone.

What to do

Inspect regularly, isolate affected plants and identify whether the infestation is above or below the growing medium before treating.

Pale variegated areas browning

Likely cause

White or very pale tissue with little chlorophyll can be more vulnerable to scorch and visible damage, but browning can also result from water stress, root problems, salt build-up and other growing conditions.

What to do

Provide suitable bright light without exposing sensitive pale tissue to excessive direct sun, keep watering consistent and maintain healthy roots. Diagnose repeated browning rather than assuming all damage is unavoidable.

Root or stem rot

Likely cause

Prolonged wet conditions, poor drainage and low root-zone oxygen can damage roots and favour root-rotting organisms.

What to do

Use a suitably free-draining medium, provide adequate light and allow the medium to dry to the degree appropriate for the species before watering again.

Stretched growth

Likely cause

Weak, elongated growth is commonly associated with insufficient light.

What to do

Increase light gradually to a level suitable for the species. Existing stretched growth will not become compact again.

Does String of Tears go dormant in winter?

No true dormancy is normally required indoors. Growth may slow during the darker UK winter, so reduce watering and feeding in line with the plant's actual growth rate.

How large can String of Tears grow indoors?

Mature indoor size varies with the species, support, light and root space. Expect gradual development into a fuller specimen rather than a fixed final size.

What is the most important care point for String of Tears?

Variegated growth needs brighter light to keep good colour. Avoid overwatering, especially while rooting.