How to Grow Job's Tears
Coix lacryma-jobi
Tender Warm Season Single Harvest
Job's Tears is a tall, dramatic warm-season grass grown for its ornamental seed heads and edible grain. Sow indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost, or direct sow once soil reaches 18°C. Give it full sun, a sheltered spot, and fertile moist soil. Space plants 50–60 cm apart. It grows fast once established, reaching 1–1.5 m. The hard, shiny seed beads ripen from late summer and can be harvested, dried, and used in cooking or crafts. Not frost-hardy; treat as an annual in temperate climates.
When to Start
Plant directly outdoors once soil temperature reaches 10°C. No seed starting needed — grow from bulbs, tubers, or sets.
Care Essentials
- Apply a balanced fertiliser at planting and a nitrogen-rich feed once plants reach 30 cm. A top-dress of compost mid-season supports the heavy seed heads.
- Job's Tears is a tall, corn-like grass grown both as a grain crop and an ornamental. The hard, tear-shaped seeds have been used for jewellery and prayer beads for thousands of years. Easy to grow from seed in warm weather.
Growing Conditions
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- Direct sow
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 60 cm |
| Row spacing | null cm |
| Mature height | 150 cm |
| Mature spread | 60 cm |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Job's Tears?
- Plant Job's Tears 60cm apart with nullcm between rows.
- Is Job's Tears frost hardy?
- Job's Tears is classified as Tender.
