Description
Job’s tears, scientific name Coix lacryma-jobi, also known as adlay or adlay millet, is a tall grain-bearing perennial tropical plant of the family Poaceae (grass family). It is native to Southeast Asia, but introduced to Northern China and India in remote antiquity, and elsewhere cultivated in gardens as an annual. It has been naturalized in the southern United States and the New World tropics. In its native environment it is grown at higher elevation areas where rice and corn do not grow well. Job’s tears are also commonly sold as Chinese pearl barley.
There are two main varieties of the species, one wild and one cultivated. The wild variety, Coix lacryma-jobi var. lacryma-jobi, has hard-shelled pseudocarps, very hard, pearly white, oval structures used as beads for making prayer beads or rosaries, necklaces, and other objects. The cultivated variety Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen is harvested as a cereal crop, has a soft shell, and used medicinally in parts of Asia.
Germination Guide
🌍 Southeast Asia (India to peninsular Malaysia and Taiwan)
Easy
Coix lacryma-jobi, commonly known as Job's Tears, is a tropical perennial grass valued for its distinctive tear-shaped seeds with hard, glossy shells used for centuries in jewelry, beads, and traditional Chinese medicine. The species germinates reliably within 2-4 weeks when provided warm temperatures and moist conditions, making it accessible for both ornamental and culinary cultivation. Pre-soaking seeds overnight in warm water significantly improves germination rates, achieving up to 90% viability under optimal conditions.
Germination
Germination time
Expect germination in
10 – 28 days
Temperature
Min 15°C
Ideal 21°C
Max 25°C
🌡️ Temperature alternation recommended
— Fluctuating temperature of 75°F (24°C) during day and 50°F (10°C) at night may help with slow or erratic germination
Substrate moisture
💧💧 High
Seed Pre-treatment
-
💧
Soaking — 12 hours
Soak seeds overnight in warm water (36°C optimal) for 10 hours to improve germination
-
🔨
Mechanical scarification
Removing endocarp improves germination if seeds do not swell after soaking
-
📋
Additional notes
Pre-soak seeds in warm water overnight. Optimal soaking temperature 36°C for 10 hours; germination temperature 29°C optimal.
Substrate & Container
Recommended substrate
Well-drained seed compost or sterile starting mix; suitable for light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with pH 6.1-7.8
Recommended container
Peat pots or individual pots for indoor germination; flats for mass sowing
Growing Tips
For best results, soak seeds overnight in warm water (36°C) before sowing 1/4 inch deep in moist, well-drained soil. Maintain temperatures around 70-75°F (21-24°C) with high light exposure and consistently moist substrate. Light is required for germination—provide at least 12 hours daily. Seedlings should be kept in bright conditions and can be transplanted when large enough to handle. Remove dull-colored seeds as they will not sprout. If germination is slow or erratic, consider mechanical scarification of the seed coat or alternating day/night temperatures (75°F/50°F). Requires warm conditions; transplant outdoors only after last frost danger has passed. Space plants 10-12 inches apart.
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.