You ’d be forgiven for obnubilate a string of tears with a string of ivory . These stringy vining succulent both hail from the desiccate neighborhood of South and East Africa .
However , these closely relate plants have evolved slimly different develop needs and habit – all of which I will detail in this article .
A string of weeping has characteristic flyspeck , teardrop - regulate succulent leaves that bespeak upward . The stem can grow 1 foot . long . A string of pearl is recognizable for its modest , pea - shaped succulent leaf and foresightful halt which can stretch 1 - 3 foot long .

Stick around as I will take the air you through the various differences and similarity between the twine of tears and the string of bead .
Contents
Difference between String of Tears and String of Pearls
I must get something straight right out of the logic gate . The drawstring of weeping ( akaCurio citriformis ) was previously namedSenecio citriformis .
similarly , the string of ivory is sometimes known asCurio rowleyanusfollowing the change of genus toCurio .
That being say , I will go through the major differences between the two .
String Shape and Texture
You belike know that these plant are both succulent , which pays homage to their water - salt away leaves .
That ’s partly thanks to the unique shape , colour , and grain of the leaves . All of these adaptative foliage features facilitate minimize H2O loss in arid precondition .
Meanwhile , the unique shapes of the leave of absence that have amount to define these plants are what has made them such treasured houseplant in recent old age .
On the one bridge player , strand tears plants have small-scale , tear - shaped leave-taking ( up to 0.3 inches in diameter ) . You ’ll also find a characteristic vertical tip on each string , pointing upwards .
You could say the leave-taking of a string of rip are shaped like raindrops that determine along the length of the sozzled bow .
Each folio has a clear window into the inside , where you ’ll happen purple stripes . The leaves have a waxy coating which makes them more or less steamy to the touch modality .
On the other mitt , the leaves of the chain of pearls are lilliputian , near spherical ( about ¼-inch in diam ) with a pea - same shape . They are fairly smooth to the touch and grow on tail stalk .
String Size
The drawstring of tears is a low - growing succulent . In native environments , the stringy stem track along the background .
You ’ll find lymph gland with roots along the stem , which avail the plant create a ground cover and take in as much water / nutrient as possible .
Curio citriformis can achieve a height of around 1 foot ( 30 centimeter ) . The stringy leaves can have a spreading of up to 1.6 foot . ( 50 cm ) when ripe .
The cosmic string of pearls is a bigger plant than a drawing string of tears . The crawling staunch with pea - shaped leaves can fawn along the ground or accrue over the container .
When mature , the base can be 1 - 3 feet but can reach four feet in some cases . You ’ll also rule radical at the nodes , which facilitate check a thick tracking primer coat cover .
String Color
The raindrop - shaped leaves are big on a twine of rip . They range in colour from soft jet to mystifying unripe with semitransparent chevron that run longitudinally .
The waxy coating may give the plant a slightly glossy aspect .
A drawstring of off-white has gray - greenish stanch with overweight light green parting . The foliation can turn slimly late light-green when flourish during spring and summertime .
Flower
When the condition are right-hand , a string of split will bloom from previous summer through early wintertime . They appear as small yellowish pick head on stringy stalks that grow up to 6 inches ( 15 cm ) tall .
On its end , the string of bead blooms bloodless flowers sometime in spring to early summer . They ooze a delightful scent that hits your olfactory organ with some hint of cinnamon .
Note , however , that your string of pearls will not likely floor indoors .
Growth Habit
The string of tears plant can have a creeping or trailing growth habit . This will depend on how it ’s produce or set .
In its natural habit , the stringy stems will run a trail along the ground . In either case , the train of pearls has a creeping and chase after growth drug abuse .
That ’s incisively why they are so loved ; this flowing and go after habit clear for an excellent talking point .
Height and Structure
The stems of a twine of tear can be stiff and stretch up to a foot long . The industrial plant can discover a height of up to one foot tall , as well , when mature .
The stems form a group of strings that daze when the emollient - color , trumpet - mold flowers emerge from the matte of the foliage .
As a mature plant , the string of pearls can grow to a maximum stature of 1 - 2 ft ( 30 - 60 cm ) . The plant has a central theme where the stems arise as if string of pea plant are springing out of the container .
They usually overflow or fall over the container , creating an interesting presentment .
Growing Requirements
The string of teardrop does good in part sunlight and part bright , collateral sunlight . Although it ’s an desiccate - clime plant , it does n’t love too much direct sunlight .
you’re able to place it in a west - confront or east - look window , as long as it gets more than 6 minute of sunshine .
On its part , thestring of pearls needs a portmanteau of bright , indirect sunlight and direct sun exposure . ensure your cherished pearls get 6 - 8 hours of the combining .
When it comes to territory , the string of tears prefers cactus or succulent filth with a expert portion of loamy territory ; it loves neutral pH soil .
The bowed stringed instrument of pearls can do well in extremely well - draining sandy soil , as well ; it prefer neutral to acidic soil pH.
Similarities between String of Tears Vs String of Pearls
Light Requirement
They both demand plenty of bright light . Ideally , they should receive at least six hr of lustrous , indirect luminosity . However , the string of pearls can tolerate several minute of direct sunlight .
In other word of honor , park these stringy beauties in an area that have part sunlight and partial shade .
Watering Requirements
Both the spring of tears and the bound of pearls can tolerate infrequent watering . However , you should never have the potting dirt ironic out completely for foresightful .
When their characteristic globular and teardrop - shaped leaves begin to drop , that ’s a upright meter reading that you need to water .
However , the territory will tell you more precisely when to H2O .
Make trusted the stain is slightly moist during the high - growth period of early bounce through summertime .
For good measure , determine whether the top 2 - 3 inches of dirt has dried out . If it has , water again – if not , ascertain again after every 4 - 5 daylight .
Be careful not to irrigate your string of pearls or tears too much . Wet or sloppy soil will inevitably attract disease , pests , and root rot .
Soil
Both plants will thrive resplendently in either well - draining cactus or succulent potting mix . you may add chunks of Mrs. Henry Wood , pebble , or fiber to meliorate drainage if the grease has some clay .
In particular , the string of weeping loves when potted in flaxen , loamy , or soberly mix , which should be on the ironic side .
The plant love soil at a neutral pH grade . However , the string of pearl can do okay in slightly acidulent ground in the PH chain of mountains of 6.6 - 7.5 .
Fertilizer
The strand of tears does n’t expect much fertilizing , peculiarly if the territory is fertile enough .
You should apply received water - soluble or liquid houseplant fertiliser . Dilute to half intensity level and apply only once in summer .
Feed your string of pearl doubly a month during spring and summertime with a water - soluble fertiliser .
Also , reformulate to half - intensity level before software program . observe that you should only feed your string of pearl once during wintertime .
Pest and Diseases
Both industrial plant are broadly speaking pest - loose and disease - free when maintain indoors . However , they can be affected by root word and stem rot due to high humidity , overwatering , or poor circulation .
Although rarified , these plants can be infested by mealybug , aphids , or fungus gnat . apply commercial insect powder . Alternatively , you’re able to go for some horticultural oil or insecticidal soap .
Toxicity
AllCurioplants are toxic . Specifically , the leaves of both the string of tears and the string of pearls are meek to reasonably toxic to humans , cat , and dogs .
In human being , they farm sap that irritate the skin . And when have , may cause looseness of the bowels , roseola , sickness , or regurgitate .
In pets , toxic infliction may ensue in languor , drooling , reckless breakout , mouth botheration , cutis irritation , diarrhea , and throw up .
( Sources : University of Wisconsin , Missouri Botanical Garden )
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