Repotting guide

When & how to repot String of Raindrops (Curio citriformis (syn. Senecio citriformis))

Also called String of Raindrops, String of Tears, Tear-drop Senecio, Lemon Bean Bush.

More about string of raindrops

About String of Raindrops

Curio citriformis (syn. Senecio citriformis) · also called String of Raindrops, String of Tears · houseplant

String of raindrops is a trailing African succulent (Curio citriformis, formerly Senecio citriformis) grown for its plump, blue-green teardrop leaves that spill over a pot like falling rain. Its one defining need is sharp drainage: it stores water in those leaves and rots quickly in soggy compost, so let the mix dry out fully between drinks.

Mature size: Trailing stems reach around 60-90 cm (2-3 ft) long indoors over time; individual leaves are about 1-2 cm.

Watch for — Root rot from overwatering: The single biggest killer. Soggy or slow-draining compost turns stems and leaves soft, yellow and translucent. Always let the mix dry fully, use a gritty medium and a pot with drainage holes.

How to tell string of raindrops needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For string of raindrops, 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 string of raindrops

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. String of Raindrops's growth habit — a fast-growing, trailing succulent with slender stems that creep and cascade, studded with small, glaucous blue-green teardrop leaves. ideal for hanging pots, high shelves or wall planters where the stems can spill downward. in late summer to early winter it can produce small, daisy-like pale-yellow to white flowers with a faint cinnamon-like scent. — sets the pace. String of raindrops is a trailing African succulent (Curio citriformis, formerly Senecio citriformis) grown for its plump, blue-green teardrop leaves that spill over a pot like falling rain. Its one defining need is sharp drainage: it stores water in those leaves and rots quickly in soggy compost, so let the mix dry out fully between drinks.

What size pot to step string of raindrops up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. String of Raindrops 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 string of raindrops

Spring or summer, while string of raindrops 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 string of raindrops

Repot dry. Do not water string of raindrops 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 free-draining cactus or 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 string of raindrops 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 string of raindrops 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 string of raindrops

String of Raindrops wants free-draining cactus or succulent mix. Use a gritty, fast-draining medium: a bagged cactus and succulent compost loosened with extra perlite, coarse sand or fine grit (roughly one part grit to two parts compost). The aim is a mix that holds a little moisture but drains in seconds, since this species is very prone to root rot. Always plant in a pot with drainage holes. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting string of raindrops — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot string of raindrops?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for string of raindrops. Repot string of raindrops every 2–3 years into a snug pot of free-draining cactus or 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 string of raindrops need?

When is the best time of year to repot string of raindrops?

Should you water string of raindrops after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot string of raindrops 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 string of raindrops after repotting?

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