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Job's Tears
Seed Packet

Job's Tears

Coix lacryma-jobi
Looking for all the world like small corn plants when sprouting, Job's tears grows into a bold grass with loose sprays of pearly grey seeds ripening in fall. Believed to be one of the oldest grasses in cultivation, this heirloom was ground into flour or strung for rosaries, necklaces, and teething beads. Offered in a seed list of 1810.
SKU #S314
$3.25
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Details
Approximate Seeds Per Packet
20
Lifecycle
Annual
Annual Hardiness
Half Hardy Annual
Mature Size
2-3' h x 2' w
Sun
Full sun
Soil
Rich, well-drained
Season
Summer to fall
Color
Yellow-green seeds on arching stems
Features
Great Cut Flower
SOWING INSTRUCTIONS
Depth:
1/2"; nick seed with file prior to sowing
Sprout Time:
14-21 days
Seed To Bloom:
14 weeks
Starting Indoors:
Recommended. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before planting out. Keep at 60-70°F.
Starting Outdoors:
Direct sow after last frost.
WHEN TO SET OUTSIDE
After last frost.
PLACEMENT & CULTIVATION
Job's Tears is a handsome grass with a long history in gardens—utilized variously for food and crafted into necklaces, rosaries, and teething beads. Native to Southeast Asia, it prefers a warm, protected spot well supplied with moisture. Enjoy its lush tropical growth and, later summer and fall, the dangling shiny black seeds that age to pearly grey.
Final Spacing:
1.5'
Water Requirements:
Medium Water Use
Watering Details:
About 1" per week.
Soil pH:
Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline
Fertilizer:
Mix in a few inches of compost prior to planting. If soil is not fertile, supplement with an organic granular or liquid feed once per month.
Diseases & Pests:
No major problems.
When to Cut for Bouquets:
Cut when green "beads" have appeared.