Troubleshooting
String of Tears problems — and how to fix them
String of Tears (Curio herreanus) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Root and stem rot
The most common and lethal issue, caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil. Stems and beads turn soft, mushy, yellow, or translucent. Cut away healthy strands to propagate and start over in a grittier mix.
Shrivelled, deflated beads
Wrinkled or flattened beads usually mean underwatering or prolonged drought. Give a thorough soak and they should plump back up within a day or two; persistent shrivelling can also signal damaged roots.
Leggy, sparse growth
Long gaps between beads and loss of purple colouring indicate too little light. Move to a brighter spot with bright indirect light and trim leggy strands to encourage fuller growth.
Mealybugs
White, cottony clusters hide between beads and at leaf joints, sapping the plant. Dab them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or treat with insecticidal soap, repeating until clear.
Aphids and spider mites
Sap-sucking aphids and spider mites can cause yellowing, stippling, or fine webbing, often on new growth. Rinse off, improve airflow, and treat with insecticidal soap or neem if they persist.
Sunburn
Harsh, direct midday sun scorches the beads, leaving bleached, brown, or papery patches that do not recover. Provide bright but filtered light and acclimatise gradually to any stronger sun.
Prevent string of tears problems before they start
Most string of tears issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
String of Tears problems — FAQ
Why is my string of tears root and stem rot?
The most common and lethal issue, caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil. Stems and beads turn soft, mushy, yellow, or translucent. Cut away healthy strands to propagate and start over in a grittier mix.
Why is my string of tears shrivelled, deflated beads?
Wrinkled or flattened beads usually mean underwatering or prolonged drought. Give a thorough soak and they should plump back up within a day or two; persistent shrivelling can also signal damaged roots.
Why is my string of tears leggy, sparse growth?
Long gaps between beads and loss of purple colouring indicate too little light. Move to a brighter spot with bright indirect light and trim leggy strands to encourage fuller growth.
Why is my string of tears mealybugs?
White, cottony clusters hide between beads and at leaf joints, sapping the plant. Dab them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or treat with insecticidal soap, repeating until clear.
Why is my string of tears aphids and spider mites?
Sap-sucking aphids and spider mites can cause yellowing, stippling, or fine webbing, often on new growth. Rinse off, improve airflow, and treat with insecticidal soap or neem if they persist.
Why is my string of tears sunburn?
Harsh, direct midday sun scorches the beads, leaving bleached, brown, or papery patches that do not recover. Provide bright but filtered light and acclimatise gradually to any stronger sun.