Job's Tears
Coix lacryma-jobi
- Native to:
- Andaman Is., Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, Guam, Hainan, India, Laos, Malaya, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicobar Is., Palau, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
Roger Culos
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Coix
- Species:
- Coix lacryma-jobi
- USDA Symbol:
- COLA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 180 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia citrana)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers areas with high rainfall
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 10–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm, moist conditions. Prefers soil temperatures above 65°F for optimal germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI