String of Tears

Curio herreanus is native to southern Africa.

• Found in Namibia and the Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa
• Occurs at elevations of approximately 200 to 1,000 meters
• Grows in rock crevices, on cliff faces, and among boulders in partial shade
• The species typically inhabits sheltered, shaded positions where it receives filtered light rather than direct sun
• The region receives winter rainfall, with annual precipitation of 100 to 300 mm
• First described by the German botanist Moritz Kurt Dinter in 1932 as Senecio herreanus
• Reclassified to the genus Curio by the botanists Bertil Nordenstam and Pieter van Jaarsveld based on molecular evidence
• Southern Africa is the center of diversity for the genus Curio, with numerous trailing and creeping species

A trailing, mat-forming succulent with pendulous stems and distinctive teardrop-shaped leaves.

Stems:
• Thin, wiry, trailing or pendulous, rooting at nodes where they contact soil
• Typically 1 to 1.5 mm in diameter, green to purplish
• Can reach 60 to 90 cm in length in hanging cultivation
• Producing roots at nodes, enabling vegetative spread

Leaves:
• Small, fleshy, teardrop-shaped to almond-shaped, 6 to 12 mm long and 4 to 6 mm wide
• Arranged alternately along the stems, somewhat spaced rather than dense
• Bright green to dark green, sometimes tinged purple in strong light
• Each leaf has several translucent, linear "windows" (striae) running longitudinally along the upper surface — these allow light to penetrate the interior photosynthetic tissue
• Leaf surface slightly fuzzy with tiny, soft hairs (pubescent)
• Leaves taper to a pointed tip

Flowers:
• Small, brush-like heads (capitula) typical of the Asteraceae family
• White to pale pink, consisting of numerous tiny disc florets
• Produced on short stalks in late summer to autumn
• Not particularly showy — the foliage is the primary ornamental feature

Roots:
• Fibrous, shallow root system
• Stems readily produce roots at nodes when in contact with soil

A shade-adapted succulent that occupies protected rocky niches.

Habitat:
• Rock crevices, cliff faces, and boulder piles in semi-arid regions
• Grows in shaded or partially shaded positions, protected from direct midday sun
• Often found growing on south-facing cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere, which receive less direct sun

Adaptations:
• The translucent "windows" on the leaves are a key adaptation — they allow light to penetrate deep into the leaf interior, maximizing photosynthesis in the low-light conditions of its rocky crevice habitat
• The trailing growth habit allows the plant to cascade down rock faces, seeking light gaps and moisture
• Fine hairs on the leaf surface help trap moisture from fog and dew
• CAM photosynthesis provides efficient water use in its semi-arid habitat
• Stem nodes root readily on contact with soil, enabling vegetative colonization of new areas

Ecological Role:
• Flowers attract small insects and pollinating flies
• Dense trailing growth provides microhabitat for small invertebrates
• Contributes to the unique succulent diversity of southern Africa's rocky habitats

A popular and rewarding hanging succulent that requires a specific balance of light and moisture.

Soil:
• Well-draining, gritty succulent mix — use 60 to 70% inorganic material (pumice, perlite, coarse sand) with 30 to 40% quality potting soil
• Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot
• Slightly acidic pH (6.0 to 7.0)

Light:
• Bright, indirect light — the species is naturally adapted to partial shade
• Avoid intense, direct midday sun, which scorches the leaves
• A bright east-facing window or a position receiving morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal
• Insufficient light causes the leaves to lose their plump shape and the stems to become leggy
• The translucent leaf windows are most visible in good indirect light

Water:
• Water moderately during the growing season (spring to autumn), allowing the top third of soil to dry between waterings
• Reduce watering in winter — provide just enough to prevent the leaves from shriveling
• Overwatering causes leaf drop and root rot
• Water from the bottom or at the soil line to avoid wetting the foliage

Temperature:
• Prefers moderate temperatures (15 to 25°C) year-round
• Tolerates temperatures down to approximately 5°C if kept dry
• Not frost-tolerant
• Benefits from good air circulation to prevent fungal issues

Propagation:
• Extremely easy from stem cuttings — simply cut a 5 to 10 cm stem section, remove the lower leaves, and place on moist, sandy soil
• Cuttings root within 7 to 14 days under warm, humid conditions
• Can also be propagated from seed, though this is less common