Job's Tears Grass Coix Lacryma-Jobi is an ornamental, tufted perennial grass native to Southeast Asia. Job's Tears Grass seeds have to be soaked overnight in warm water before planting, and Coix is perennial only in USDA zones 9-12, so it is grown as an annual anywhere else. Job's Tears Grass grows up to 4 feet tall forming graceful clumps of slender, ribbon-like leaves and producing spikes of teardrop-like seeds.
Job's Tears Grass provides its own unique beauty to a garden or landscape, and this highly attractive ornamental grass is known for its seeds. In Asia, Coix can be found growing along roadsides as well as cultivated for the grain that is edible and used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Also, the hard Coix seeds are natural beads and have been used for centuries to to make bracelets, necklaces and rosaries. It takes 2 to 6 weeks for Coix Lacryma-Jobi seeds to germinate.
PLANT PROFILE
Season: Perennial/Annual
Height: 36-48 Inches
Bloom Season: Summer/Fall
Environment: Sun/Partial Shade
Soil Type: Rich/Moist well-drained, pH 6.1-7.8
USDA Zones: 9-12 (As Perennial) All regions of North America (As Annual)
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Sow Indoors: Winter/Spring (6-8 weeks before last frost)
Sow Outdoors: Spring
Seed Depth: 1/4 - 1/2 Inch
Germination Time: 14-42 Days
