Repotting guide

When & how to repot Curio Citriformis (Curio citriformis)

Also called string of teardrops, lemon bean plant.

More about curio citriformis

About Curio Citriformis

Curio citriformis · also called string of teardrops, lemon bean plant · houseplant

Curio citriformis, the string of teardrops (formerly Senecio citriformis), is a compact South African trailing succulent with plump, lemon- or teardrop-shaped blue-green leaves dusted in a fine waxy bloom and marked with faint translucent lines. Slower and tidier than string of bananas, it spills gently from hanging pots and needs bright light, lean draining soil and careful watering.

Mature size: Stems trail to about 30-60 cm long.

Watch for — Overwatering and root rot: Mushy, yellowing teardrops and collapsing strands mean too much water. Let the gritty mix dry fully and ensure the pot drains freely.

How to tell curio citriformis needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For curio citriformis, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot curio citriformis

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Curio Citriformis's growth habit — compact, moderately trailing succulent with stems of teardrop leaves that spill over a pot edge; roots at nodes and forms tidy cascades over time. — sets the pace. Curio citriformis, the string of teardrops (formerly Senecio citriformis), is a compact South African trailing succulent with plump, lemon- or teardrop-shaped blue-green leaves dusted in a fine waxy bloom and marked with faint translucent lines. Slower and tidier than string of bananas, it spills gently from hanging pots and needs bright light, lean draining soil and careful watering.

What size pot to step curio citriformis up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Curio Citriformis stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot curio citriformis

Spring or summer, while curio citriformis is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting curio citriformis

Repot dry. Do not water curio citriformis for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty gritty, fast-draining succulent mix ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set curio citriformis at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep curio citriformis completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for curio citriformis

Curio Citriformis wants gritty, fast-draining succulent mix. Use a cactus/succulent blend with added pumice or perlite for sharp drainage. Shallow, quick-drying pots suit the shallow, rot-prone root system. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting curio citriformis — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot curio citriformis?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for curio citriformis. Repot curio citriformis every 2–3 years into a snug pot of gritty, fast-draining succulent mix, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does curio citriformis need?

When is the best time of year to repot curio citriformis?

Should you water curio citriformis after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot curio citriformis into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise curio citriformis after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting curio citriformis. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.