Watering schedule

How often to water String of Teardrops (Senecio citriformis) — the schedule

Also called String of Teardrops, String of Tears, String of Lemons.

More about string of teardrops

Watering at a glance

Base rhythm	Every 2–3 weeks in the growing season (autumn–spring); once a month or less in summer dormancy
Spring / summer	Spring and summer: soak fully, then leave it alone until the soil is dry all the way down — usually around every 2–3 weeks.
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 Teardrops

Senecio citriformis · also called String of Teardrops, String of Tears · houseplant

A South African trailing succulent bearing small, teardrop-shaped, glaucous leaves on slender cascading stems up to 3 ft long. Best grown in a hanging basket with bright indirect light and very infrequent watering. Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Dormant in summer; actively grows in autumn and winter.

Ideal humidity: 20–40%

Watch for — Root rot from overwatering: The most frequent cause of plant death. Stems turn mushy and leaves drop. Allow soil to dry completely between waterings and ensure the pot has excellent drainage.

The watering schedule, season by season

String of Teardrops 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 teardrops is every 2–3 weeks in the growing season (autumn–spring); once a month or less in summer dormancy, 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 2–3 weeks.
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.

Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Use the soak-and-dry method: water thoroughly until it drains freely, then wait for the mix to become bone dry before watering again. Overwatering is the primary cause of root rot and plant collapse.

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 teardrops in seconds.

How to tell string of teardrops needs water

A calendar is the worst way to water string of teardrops. 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 teardrops for a day is almost always safer than over-watering it.

Overwatering vs underwatering string of teardrops

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

String of Teardrops watering — frequently asked questions

How often should I water string of teardrops?

Water string of teardrops every 2–3 weeks in the growing season (autumn–spring); once a month or less in summer dormancy. Spring and summer: soak fully, then leave it alone until the soil is dry all the way down — usually around every 2–3 weeks. 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 teardrops 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 teardrops 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 teardrops 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 teardrops. 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 teardrops?

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 teardrops?