Watering schedule

How often to water String of Raindrops (Curio citriformis (syn. Senecio citriformis)) — the schedule

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

More about string of raindrops

Watering at a glance

Base rhythm	When the compost is dry right through, roughly every 10-14 days in summer and every 3-4 weeks in winter
Spring / summer	Spring and summer: soak fully, then leave it alone until the soil is dry all the way down — usually around every 10-14 days.
Autumn	Autumn: ease off as growth slows; stretch the gap noticeably longer than the summer rhythm.
Winter	Winter: water sparingly, roughly once a month or even less in a cool room. The thick leaves carry it through.
Light	Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)

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.

Ideal humidity: 30-50%

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.

The watering schedule, season by season

String of Raindrops stores water in its thick leaves and stems, so when in doubt, wait — it survives drought far better than soggy soil. The base rhythm for string of raindrops is when the compost is dry right through, roughly every 10-14 days in summer and every 3-4 weeks in winter, but the real interval moves with the season, the light and the pot — so treat the figures below as a starting point and always confirm with the plant itself.

Spring & summer (active growth): Spring and summer: soak fully, then leave it alone until the soil is dry all the way down — usually around every 10-14 days.
Autumn (slowing down): Autumn: ease off as growth slows; stretch the gap noticeably longer than the summer rhythm.
Winter (rest / dormancy): Winter: water sparingly, roughly once a month or even less in a cool room. The thick leaves carry it through.

Water thoroughly until it runs from the drainage holes, then let the mix dry out completely before the next drink; the plump leaves hold a reserve, so it copes with drought far better than with wet feet. Plump, firm leaves mean it is happy; shrivelled leaves signal thirst, while soft, translucent or mushy ones mean overwatering. Cut back sharply in the cooler, darker months.

Want this turned into a live reminder that adjusts to your home and the weather? The Growli watering calculator takes your pot size, light and season and returns a starting interval for string of raindrops in seconds.

How to tell string of raindrops needs water

A calendar is the worst way to water string of raindrops. Check the plant and the soil instead — for this species, look for these signals in order:

The lower or oldest leaves feel slightly soft or look a touch wrinkled.
The pot is noticeably light when lifted.
Soil is dry several centimetres down, not just at the surface.

The most reliable single check is the first one on that list. When two signals agree, water; when they disagree, wait a day and look again — under-watering string of raindrops for a day is almost always safer than over-watering it.

Overwatering vs underwatering string of raindrops

The two failure modes can look alike at a glance, so check the soil weight and wetness before you decide. For string of raindrops specifically:

Signs you are overwatering

Leaves turn translucent, yellow, soft and mushy — classic overwatering.
Lower stem darkens or goes squishy at soil level.
Whole rosettes or sections drop at the lightest touch.

Signs you are underwatering

Leaves pucker, wrinkle or curl inward — a harmless thirst signal that reverses fast after a soak.
Older leaves dry crisp from the tips first.

Overwatering is the number-one killer of string of raindrops. The thick leaves are a water tank — a slightly thirsty plant recovers in a day; a waterlogged one rots from the roots up.

Water quality notes

Tap water is generally fine for string of raindrops; the soak-and-dry rhythm matters far more than water type.

Seasonal and environmental adjusters

Every figure above shifts with the conditions in your home. For string of raindrops, the levers that matter most are:

A gritty, free-draining mix is essential — ordinary potting soil holds too much water for this plant.
Terracotta dries faster and is more forgiving than plastic or glazed ceramic.
More light and warmth speed drying, so the interval shortens in peak summer — always check, never assume.

Pot choice is part of this too — work out the right size with the pot size calculator, since a pot that is too big stays wet long enough to rot the roots of string of raindrops.

String of Raindrops watering — frequently asked questions

How often should I water string of raindrops?

Water string of raindrops when the compost is dry right through, roughly every 10-14 days in summer and every 3-4 weeks in winter. Spring and summer: soak fully, then leave it alone until the soil is dry all the way down — usually around every 10-14 days. Winter: water sparingly, roughly once a month or even less in a cool room. The thick leaves carry it through.

How do I know when string of raindrops needs water?

The lower or oldest leaves feel slightly soft or look a touch wrinkled. The pot is noticeably light when lifted. Soil is dry several centimetres down, not just at the surface. The single most reliable test for string of raindrops is the first signal on that list — checking the soil or the plant directly always beats watering by the calendar.

What does an overwatered string of raindrops look like?

Leaves turn translucent, yellow, soft and mushy — classic overwatering. Lower stem darkens or goes squishy at soil level. Whole rosettes or sections drop at the lightest touch. Overwatering is the number-one killer of string of raindrops. The thick leaves are a water tank — a slightly thirsty plant recovers in a day; a waterlogged one rots from the roots up.

What are the signs of an underwatered string of raindrops?

Leaves pucker, wrinkle or curl inward — a harmless thirst signal that reverses fast after a soak. Older leaves dry crisp from the tips first.

Can I use tap water on string of raindrops?