You would be forgiven for confusing a necklace of tears with a necklace of pearls. These stringy succulents are native to the arid regions of southern and eastern Africa.
However, these closely related plants have developed slightly different growing needs and habits, all of which I will describe in this article.
A teardrop has characteristic small teardrop-shaped succulent leaves that point upwards. The stem can reach 1 foot in length. A pearl necklace is recognizable by its small, succulent, pea-shaped leaves and longer stem that can reach 1 to 3 feet in length.
Stick around as I walk you through the various differences and similarities between the teardrop series and the pearl necklace.
| a series of tears | Pearl necklace | |
| USDA hardiness zone | Areas 10a-11b | Areas 9-12 |
| Scientific name | Citriform curio That is Senecio citriformis | Senecio Rowleyanus That isCurio Rowleyanus |
| adult size | 1 foot (30 centimeters) | 1-2 feet. (30-60cm) |
| adult width | 1.6 feet (50cm) | 1-3 feet (30-90cm) |
| Rate of growth | 2 years to maturity | 1 to 2 inches per month |
| Habit | Creeping or creeping habit | A persistent or progressive habit |
| Light requirement: | Partial shade or bright indirect light | 6-8 hours a day a combination of direct and indirect sunlight |
| the type of soil | Extremely permeable soil for succulents or cacti. | Succulent, cactus or sandy soil with inorganic lumps |
| soil pH | pH neutral | 6.6-7.5 |
| Water frequency: | 7-10 days | 7 to 14 days (or when the first centimeter of soil is dry) |
| harmful | Scale insects and fungus gnats | Mostly pest free, but watch out for aphids and scale insects |
| Diseases | fungal root rot | fungal root rot |
Difference Between Teardrop Yarn and Pearl Yarn
I need to get something straight out the door. The Tears Series (aka Citriform curio) was previously called Senecio citriformis.
Similarly, the pearl necklace is sometimes called: Curio Rowleyanus after sex change Curiosity.
That said, I will discuss the main differences between the two.
Rope shape and texture
You probably know these plants are succulents, which pays homage to their water-storing leaves.
This is partly due to the unique shape, color and texture of the leaves. All of these adaptive leaf characteristics help minimize water loss in dry conditions.
Meanwhile, the unique leaf shapes that define these plants are what have made them such popular houseplants in recent years.
For one, string plants have small teardrop-shaped leaves (up to 0.3 inches in diameter). You will also find a characteristic vertical point on each string, pointing upwards.
You could say that the leaves of a series of tears are shaped like raindrops that fall along the rigid stem.
Each sheet has a transparent window inside, where you will find purple stripes. The leaves have a waxy coating that makes them slightly sticky.
In contrast, pearl necklace leaves are small, almost spherical (about ¼ inch in diameter) in the shape of a pea. They are quite soft to the touch and grow on hanging stems.
chain size
The teardrop series is a low growing succulent. In native environments, the filamentous stem runs along the ground.
You will find root nodes along the stem, allowing the plant to cover the ground and absorb as much water/nutrients as possible.
Curio citriformis can reach a height of about 30 cm. Filamentous leaves can be up to 50 cm long when mature.
The pearl necklace is a taller plant than a teardrop necklace. Creeping stems with pea-like leaves can trail on the ground or fall into the container.
At maturity, the stem can be 1 to 3 feet long, but can reach four feet in some cases. You will also find roots at the nodes, which form a dense, creeping ground cover.
rope color
The raindrop-shaped leaves are prominent in a chain of teardrops. Its color varies from light green to dark green with translucent stripes all over.
The waxy coating can give the plant a slightly shiny appearance.
A pearl necklace has gray-green stems with light green fleshy leaves. In spring and summer, the foliage may turn slightly dark green when flowering.
Flower
If the conditions are right, a series of tears will sprout from late summer to early winter. They appear as small, creamy yellow heads on fibrous stalks up to 15cm long.
At the tip, the pearl necklace blooms with white flowers from spring to early summer. They spread a wonderful aroma that hits your nose with a hint of cinnamon.
Keep in mind, however, that your pearl necklace probably won’t be placed on the floor indoors.
growth habit
The teardrop plant series can have a trailing or trailing habit. It depends on how it was grown or planted.
In their natural habitat, the stringy stems crawl along the ground. In either case, pearl necklace has creeping and trailing growth.
This is exactly why they are so loved; this fluid and persistent habit is a great conversation starter.
height and structure
The stalks of a tear cord can be stiff and stretch up to 30 cm in length. The plant can also reach a height of up to a foot tall at maturity.
Stems form a tuft of sprigs that dazzle as cream-colored trumpet-shaped flowers emerge from the carpet of foliage.
As a mature plant, pearl necklace can reach a maximum height of 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm). The plant has a central base from which stems emerge as if strings of peas are jumping out of the container.
They usually step or fall on the container, creating an interesting display.
growing demands
The teardrop series works best in part sun and part indirect sunlight. Although it is a dry climate plant, it does not like direct sunlight too much.
You can put it in a west- or east-facing window as long as it receives more than 6 hours of sunlight.
For its part, the pearl necklace needs a mixture of indirect sunlight and direct exposure to the sun. Be sure to give your gemstones 6-8 hours of mixing.
As for soil, the teardrop series prefers cacti or succulent soil with a generous helping of clay soil; likes neutral pH soils.
Pearl necklace can also thrive in extremely well-drained sandy soils; prefers neutral to acid pH soil.
Similarities Between String of Tears and String of Pearls
Light requirement:
They both need lots of bright light. Ideally, they should be given at least six hours of bright, indirect light. However, the pearl necklace can tolerate direct sunlight for several hours.
In other words, park these stringy beauties in an area of partial shade and partial sun.
irrigation needs
Fountain of Tears and Fountain of Pearls cannot be watered frequently. However, never let the potting soil completely dry out for a long time.
When its characteristic teardrop-shaped globose leaves begin to flatten out, it’s a good sign that you need to water.
However, the soil will tell you more precisely when to water.
Keep the soil slightly moist during the heavy growth period from early spring through summer.
For good measure, check to see if the top 2-3 inches of soil have dried out. If so, water again; if not, recheck every 4-5 days.
Be careful not to overwater your pearl or teardrop necklace. Wet or soggy soil will inevitably attract disease, pests and root rot.
Usually I
Both plants thrive in well-drained cacti or succulent potting soil. You can add wood chips, pebbles or fiber to improve drainage if the soil contains clay.
The teardrop variety especially likes it when planted in a mix of sand, loam or gravel, which should be on the dry side.
Plants like soil with a neutral pH. However, pearl necklace can do well in slightly acidic soils in the PH range of 6.6 to 7.5.
fertilizer
Teardrop doesn’t need a lot of fertilizing, especially if the soil is fertile enough.
Use a standard liquid or water-soluble fertilizer for indoor plants. Dilute half and apply only once in summer.
Feed your pearl necklace twice a month in the spring and summer with a water-soluble fertilizer.
Also reformulate at half strength before application. Keep in mind that you only need to feed your pearl necklace once in the winter.
Plagues and diseases
Both plants are generally pest and disease free when kept indoors. However, they can be affected by root and stem rot due to high humidity, excess water or poor circulation.
Although rare, these plants can be infested with scale insects, aphids or fungus gnats. Use commercial insecticides. Alternatively, you can apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
Toxicity
All Curiosity the plants are poisonous, especially the teardrop and pearl necklace leaves are slightly to moderately toxic to humans, cats, and dogs.
In humans, they produce a sap that irritates the skin. And if ingested, it can cause diarrhea, rashes, nausea or vomiting.
In pets, toxic administration may cause lethargy, drooling, rashes, mouth irritation, skin irritation, diarrhea and vomiting.
(Sources: University of Wisconsin, Missouri Botanical Garden)