Can I grow this in a pot?

Yes, it grows well in large containers if kept consistently moist.

Is it an annual or perennial?

It is a tender perennial often grown as an annual in cooler climates.

Plant guide

Job's tears.

Coix lacryma-jobi

Pronounced KO-iks lak-RY-muh JO-bee

Also known as Jacob's Tears, Job's Tear, Job's Tears, Job's-tears, adlay, adlay millet

Coix lacryma-jobi — Photo by Damien Wallace (CC0) via gbif

Job's tears is a unique tropical grass known for its hard, bead like seeds. It grows quickly and adds a lovely texture to gardens or containers. You will love how the pearl like grains develop as the plant matures.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Annual grass
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 2 to 4 days
Mature size: 3 to 6 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist because this plant loves water. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal that the soil has dried out too much. Ensure it gets plenty of warmth to thrive.

Watering: Keep the soil damp at all times as this plant is semi aquatic.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back dead or damaged foliage to keep the plant looking tidy.
Repotting: Since it is typically grown as an annual, you usually do not need to repot it.
Soil: Rich, loamy, moisture retentive soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 10 to 35°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Tender perennial, typically 1 to 3 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but the seeds are extremely hard and pose a choking hazard.
Children: The hard, bead-like seeds are a significant choking hazard for small children.
Contact allergens: The leaves have sharp, serrated edges that can cause minor skin abrasions.
Airborne allergens: The pollen may cause mild seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: The hard outer shell of the seed must be removed before consumption to avoid dental damage.

How to identify it

Broad, lance shaped green leaves
Hard, shiny, tear shaped seeds
Tall, clumping grass habit
Sturdy, bamboo like stems

Height: 1 to 2m
Spread: 0.6 to 1m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, green, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: white, grey, blue, Autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
RustCommon
Root RotUncommon
SmutUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your job's tears from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: Spring
Overwintering: In cold climates, treat as an annual and compost after the first frost. If in a pot, move to a frost-free area and keep the soil barely moist.
In containers: It grows well in large pots of at least 30 centimeters in diameter, provided you keep the soil very wet.

Seed

Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours to soften the hard shell.
Plant seeds 1 centimeter deep in moist, rich potting soil.
Maintain a temperature of 20 to 25 Celsius until germination occurs.
Transplant outdoors once all danger of frost has passed.

Group this grass with other moisture-loving plants to maintain a consistent microclimate.

Grows well with

Canna Lily · They share similar moisture requirements and create a lush tropical look.
Elephant Ear · Both plants thrive in wet, high-humidity environments.

Similar species

Maize · They are both members of the grass family with similar growth habits.

Science

Family: Poaceae
Genus: Coix
Order: Poales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical Asia
Conservation: This species is widely naturalized and not of conservation concern.

It naturally inhabits marshy areas and stream banks where it can access constant moisture.

Value to wildlife: seeds provide food for birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental grass, jewelry making, culinary grain, traditional medicine

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 8/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in a pot?: Yes, it grows well in large containers if kept consistently moist.
Is it an annual or perennial?: It is a tender perennial often grown as an annual in cooler climates.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Coix is an ancient Greek term for a type of palm, while the specific epithet lacryma-jobi translates to Job's tears.

Good to know

It is often called Job's Tears because the seeds resemble teardrops.
The seeds are used in some cultures to make tea or porridge.
It thrives in wet, boggy soil where other grasses might struggle.

Keep your job's tears growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.