You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
Participating in seed swaps here on Dave's Garden sure has wonderful rewards. In a swap last season I received seeds for a plant called Job's Tears, Coix lacryma-jobi. A member of the Poaceae (grass) family, it is quite a fascinating plant.
Although difficult to verify, Job's Tears may get its name from the biblical Job of the Old Testament, who probably shed many tears from the suffering he endured.
Job's Tears is native to East Asia and Malaysia[1] and in the U.S has naturalized to Hawaii, Louisiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.[2] Cultivated in gardens throughout the world, it is hardy in USDA zones 9a through10b. Job's Tears grows as a perennial in areas without frost; on the east coast, it is grown primarily as an annual. It is listed as a weed in Polynesia, Italy, Korea, Hawaii, Iran, Japan, and other areas. [3]
Growing Job's Tears
Grasses such as Job's Tears are easy to germinate and can be direct sown or grown in large pots. It likes to be watered and, in the U.S., is considered a wetland indicator.[4]
Dave's Garden administrator, "Mystic" in Ewing, Kentucky recommends soaking the seeds before sowing. She and several other Dave's Garden members say their plants grew well in full sun and self-sowed for many years.
According to a post by Dave's Garden member, "Badseed" in Lynchburg, Ohio, Job's Tears can reach up to 10 feet tall in warmer climates. Normally, however, it grows 4 to 6 feet tall. Petunias or other flowers nearby make a nice enhancement to the tall, grassy foliage, which resembles a corn stalk. The inconspicuous green blooms appear in late summer to early fall, preceding the most fascinating feature of this plant: its bead-like seeds that seem to pop out in a continuous string from the stalk. As the seeds mature, their colors turn from pea green to shades of green-brown and dark chocolate.
Beads are made from the seeds
Not only are the seeds fascinating to watch as they emerge, they are really fun to use in crafts. The seed has a small hole in the center, which makes it a perfect choice for use as a bead in jewelry.
Patricia Capotosto, who designs wire art jewelry in Oak Park, Illinois, creates beautiful jewelry using wire and ancient Egyptian Art techniques. Her beautiful Job's Tears bracelets are made from plants she grows herself in her backyard. She made a bracelet for a cousin recovering from breast cancer, lovely rosaries for an aunt who lost her vision and lives in a nursing home, and for her granddaughter when she made her confirmation.
When I spoke to Patricia, she commented, "The plant grows quickly and the seeds are so plentiful that it doesn't pay to try and grow it indoors. It even produces a nice crop in a midwest summer."
Patricia's tips for making jewelry
Patricia picks the seeds for use in her jewelry when they are somewhat firm and green. She says, "After picking them they will continue to change color. Place them on a flat surface so they can dry and harden. This should take a few weeks. You need to use your own judgment, since the timing will vary with each seed--some will be ready sooner than others."
She also mentioned, "To prepare the seeds for use in jewelry, you must ream out the natural hole in the seed. Anyone who does stringing or uses beads to create jewelry, will know what a reamer is. The reed on which the seed grows remains in the hole and must first be removed, so you can place a string or wire in the hole."
Job's Tears are edible and valued in the Far East
Job's Tears are more common in products sold in Asia. During the Vietnam War, Job's Tears was a staple in the South, when supplies of rice were low. Here in the U.S. it is mainly sold in bead shops for use in jewelry and in health food stores for use as a grain. Most Americans are more familiar with cereal grains such as rice, wheat, barley and corn.
To find Job's Tears in a health food store, ask for "Hatomugi", a Japanese term for Job's Tears. Hatomugi initially came to Japan from China and is used in traditional Japanese Kampo herbal medicine. The grain is valued as a nutritious food and has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to support beautiful hair, skin and nails, and as a digestive aide, among other claims.
In some U.S. specialty markets, and China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and other parts of the world, Job's Tears is available as flakes or powder and often added to other grains and to bath products, candy, liquors, vinegar and tea.
Food scientists have found that Job's Tears are a rich source of phytochemicals, having actions of an anti-inflammatory, as well as a detoxifying agent.[5]
Nutrition Information
Like most cereal grains, Job's Tears is nutritious, containing essential amino acids, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Compared with medium grain brown rice, it has about the same amount of B-complex vitamins and food energy (360 -380 k.calories) per 100g, but has higher amounts of calcium (435mg vs 268mg) and iron (5.0mg vs 1.8mg), and double the amount of protein (15.4 g vs 7.5g)[6].
Cancer Fighting Properties
Compounds that inhibit human cancer cells were isolated from Job's Tears bran in a recent study by researchers in Taiwan.[7] Their study analyzed the bran from Coix lachrymal-jobi var. ma-yuen. Job's Tears bran is a waste product from the processing of Job's Tears.
Special thanks to jewelry designer, Patricia Capotosto. Click here to visit her website.
[3]Purdue University NewCROP Program. Duke JA. Handbook of Energy Crops. Coix lacryma-jobi L. Distribution. Accessed Sept. 28, 2008.
[5] Wu TT, Charles A, Huang T. Determination of the contents of the main biochemical compounds of Adlay (Coix lachrymal-jobi). Food Chemistry. 2007: 1509-1515.
[7] Lee MY, Lin HY, Cheng F, Chiang W, et al.. Isolation and characterization of new lactam compounds that inhibit lung and colon cancer cells from adlay (Coix lachryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf) bran. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2008: 1933-1939.
About Diana Wind
Diana enjoys writing about gardening, food and nutrition. She is a graduate from The Academy of Culinary Arts, Mays Landing, NJ and is currently studying Nutritional Science at Rutgers University, NJ ~
“I especially love gardening as part of a healthy lifestyle. Gardening engages us with nature, gives us health benefits from exercise, and rewards us with fresh, nutritious foods. To assess your food and garden activity level ~ visit http://www.mypyramidtracker.gov/ ~ Happy and Healthy Gardening!"
Posted by maad (from Bloomfield Hills, MI) on May 02, 2009 at 09:37 PM:
Hi,
I am trying to plant job's tears, but unfortunately they are not germinating yet.
What I have done so far:
The beads are only a year old.
I have some outside, and some on a damp cotton inside. I have just scarify some of the ones that are on the damp cotton.
They have been about 10 days planted.
The ones that are inside on the damp cotton are changing in color from gray to black.
Do you know how long will it take them to start germinating?
Thanks,
George
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on May 02, 2009 at 10:19 PM:
Hi George, I don't know the germination time off the top of my head. Jobs Tears does take long to germinate, if I recall. I have some seeds sown now inside that I'm waiting on too, and they are taking long. I also scarified the seed. I'll go check my garden journal from last year for my records as far as germination goes and will get back to you asap. Be patient, don't give up...
I regret tossing our plant from last year, because I think it may have possibly regrown. The root clump seemed to make it through the winter and may have still been viable when I was cleaning things up this spring; we had it growing in a pot.
I'll post back,
~Diana
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on May 03, 2009 at 05:32 PM:
OK, I checked my journal. Last year my seeds germinated in 18 days and they were not scarified. I only planted a few seeds this year and did scarify them, like you did, and it has been 47 days and nothing. I'm going to plant a few more seeds and try again without nicking them; yours may still come up since it has only been 10 or so days.
There is an interesting post in DG Plant Files with a technique for germinating the seeds by just potting them in a very moist environment without scarifying. Check out the second post by 'WUVIE': http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1868/
Good luck!
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on May 24, 2009 at 01:02 PM:
Would you believe my Job's Tears seeds are just now germinating -- took 68 days -- I'm glad I didn't toss the pot and give up
...
Subject: Job's Tears for seeds or beading
Posted by allngood (from Hilo, HI) on April 08, 2009 at 12:38 AM:
Aloha, we have Job's Tears for sell all year. You may find pricing and information here: http://www.jobstearshawaii.com. Please let me know if you have any questions. Allen Goodson
...
Subject: Beads from plants
Posted by gabesgarden (from Waynesville, NC) on March 11, 2009 at 07:21 PM:
I would love to have any plants or plant information for bead producing plants, trees, nuts, etc. My daughter and I have developed a new found curiousity toward growing our own bead products and creating jewelry or other hand made works with them.
We have about 8 Job's Tears seeds that were given to us by a wonderful lady in LA and we can't wait to actually plant them this year.
Does anyone have any additional plants related to producing beads they can share?
We appreciate the information greatly!
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on March 12, 2009 at 05:38 PM:
Hi, I'll keep an eye out for you too, and if I discover any other plants related to producing beads, I'll post it here. Enjoy your Job's Tears plants.
Happy & Healthy Gardening,
~Diana
...
Subject: Note: re Product Labeling
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on December 09, 2008 at 03:49 PM:
I just received a package of Job's tears from a Vietnamese friend and it reminded me to mention that Job's tears is not the same as "pearl barley".
Often times Job's tears, that are hulled and ready-to-cook, are mislabeled in Asian markets as "pearl barley". I haven't cooked it before, so I can't comment on the taste comparison yet. It does resemble barley and I can see how it may have evolved from a marketing standpoint. I'm sure it sells better with a more familiar name like "barley".
Although they are both in the Poaceae grass family, cultivated barley belongs to the genus Hordeum vulgare; whereas, Job's tears belong to the genus Coix L. - Job's tears.
...
Posted by sallyg (from Anne Arundel Co., MD) on December 15, 2008 at 10:42 AM:
I just came across packages of hulled Job's Tears in the big 'international' grocery store today. It sort of looks like barley- but really fat big barley; I wouldn't confuse them. I'm impressed by the nutritional comparison to brown rice above. Wow!
I grew a few stalks in a pot this summer, but probably stunted them by not potting 'up' as needed- they hadn't flowered. The frost knocked down the tops, but I've brought the pot in and they're sprouting from the base. I will get seeds next year!
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on January 28, 2009 at 05:18 PM:
Hi Sally,
I just wanted to let you know we finally cooked some Job's Tears grain. It was good; like any grain...sort of like a blank canvas waiting for whatever seasonings you want to use.
I like to add diced sauteed onion to our grain dishes and sometimes, depending on the grain, some carrots and/or celery as well with some black pepper, hot pepper, Italian herbs and a pinch of salt. That is what I added to the Job's tears; then simmered like you would rice, with a 2 to1 ratio (2 cups grain to 1 cup water).
We all liked it. It didn't taste anything like barley. My husbands friend, who bought us the grain from a specialty market, said he uses it in soups.
Be well,
~Diana
...
Posted by sallyg (from Anne Arundel Co., MD) on January 28, 2009 at 09:31 PM:
Great! I had forgotten about this thread, but I've still seen the Job's tears in that store. We'll try it! My kids have gotten tolerant enough to try new things a little.
...
Subject: Job's Tears
Posted by Ina_33 (from Durban, South Africa) on December 09, 2008 at 10:36 AM:
Amazing fruit. The search is now on to find seeds in South Africa.
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on December 09, 2008 at 03:23 PM:
Hi Ina,
It is an amazing plant, good luck finding seeds. Let me know if you have trouble, I would be glad to try and mail you some.
Speaking of amazing, I find it amazing and very educational, that we can communicate like this. South Africa sounds like an interesting subtropical place to live. I bet your gardens are beautiful. Is it summer there?
Posted by ACWinOH (from Sandusky, OH) on December 08, 2008 at 07:32 PM:
One of our girls is a very talented crafter so I think I must get her some of these seeds! I'd never heard of this one but I'm not much into grasses so that's probably why. I have so little gardening space I'm afraid of grasses needing more room than I'm willing to share! But DD has lots of room and even said she'd welcome something mildly invasive if it will hold her dirt down until she can get to it! Thanks. - Carol
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on December 09, 2008 at 03:01 PM:
Hi Carol,
I'm a bit afraid of grasses too, I've heard horror stories of invasive species. So far I've been lucky and have really enjoyed the grasses I've grown. This one was a real bonus and it really didn't take up much room at all when grown in a large pot.
Would you like me to send you some seeds? I still have some (2008) here. I was going to use them for my rosary, but Patricia (the jewelry designer) used her own seeds since she had them ready-to-go. I can't wait to see it. It is here hidden until Xmas :)
~Diana
...
Subject: Thank you,
Posted by soive2000 (from Austin, TX) on December 08, 2008 at 10:09 AM:
I was curious, but it seems it would be an excellent grass on a hill to prevent erosion.
With all the seeds it produces is this plant invasive? If so, is it easy to keep from spreading?
I have some ideas about this little beauty .
Thank you again,
Anita
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on December 08, 2008 at 05:21 PM:
Hi Anita,
It isn't invasive in Texas from what I can see; however, it really likes moisture. How is the rainfall in your area? If your hill is near a stream or in a wetland type of spot it will love it.
Posted by eddle (from Adairsville, GA) on December 05, 2008 at 11:33 PM:
I grew 4 or 5 plants last year in Georgia. I plan to grow more again this year after my move to Alabama. Nice plant.
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on December 08, 2008 at 05:34 PM:
Hi Eddle, glad you enjoyed the article.
All the best to you in your move to Alabama. After you settle in, be sure to visit some of the seed swaps here on Dave's Garden. From what I have seen, people who have moved have found many a generous DG'er to help them jump-start their new gardens :)
Best Wishes for a Happy & Healthy Holiday Season!
~Diana
...
Subject: Fascinating is the correct word!
Posted by Aunt_A (from Tulsa, OK) on December 04, 2008 at 11:57 PM:
Diana,
Now I have another plant that must be added to my want list. Thanks for a great article. If you still have any seeds left, I'd love to grow some.
What do they taste like?
Thanks,
April
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on December 05, 2008 at 04:07 PM:
Hi April,
I'll gladly send you some seeds asap. I'm not sure what it tastes like yet. A Vietnamese friend of ours is picking up some hulled "bo bo" for us any day now. I'll let you know after I cook some and find out :)
Happy & Healthy Gardening!
~Diana
...
Subject: Thank you for this article
Posted by 9kittymom (from Bartlesville, OK) on December 03, 2008 at 08:14 PM:
I had been blessed also with some seeds last year and I planted them in a pot, probably much too close together. I didn't have any idea what I was planting and I was really wanting to have seeds of my own.
At any rate, the plants grew and grew but never did make seeds. So I wanted to try again. Couldn't find any seeds, well, actually I had several offers from DG folks, but I found an ebay auction for 200 seeds from Hawaii and won that. So now I am set for next year. I am going to try things a little differently, just haven't decided exactly what I will do.
I cut my stalks down and drug the big pot into the garage. Would you believe it is sending up sprouts again. LOL
In the spring, I will pull this totally root bound thing out of the pot and chop it apart and I should be ahead of the game, right?
I really enjoyed your article!
Susan
=^..^=
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on December 03, 2008 at 09:32 PM:
Hi Susan,
Thank you for your comments. I really didn't know what I was planting either when I started out last season - I was pleasantly surprised. I hope you get seeds next time around. It is so interesting to watch them emerge.
That's a good idea you have of over-wintering in the garage. I didn't think to try that. At first, I was going to over-winter mine inside. Then, after talking with Patricia (the jewelry designer) I decided to just replant seeds in the Spring; she told me that is what she does.
It was nice to hear from you,
Good luck with your plants :)
~Diana
...
Subject: Intresting Article
Posted by phicks (from Lakeland, FL) on December 03, 2008 at 07:37 PM:
Ill have to try and find some seeds Paul
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on December 03, 2008 at 09:34 PM:
Paul, I have extra seeds if you are interested :) Just let me know, I'll gladly send you some.
Happy Gardening!
~Diana
...
Posted by phicks (from Lakeland, FL) on December 03, 2008 at 09:40 PM:
yes id like that what would you like ? Paul
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on December 03, 2008 at 11:40 PM:
Hi Paul, thanks for offering to trade, but I'll just gladly send you the Job's tears seeds. I'll send them out asap. I'm in a Cottage Garden seed swap now here on Dave's Gardens, plus I still have lots of seeds from last years seed swaps :)
All the best,
~DW
...
Subject: Fascinating article...
Posted by Sundownr (from (Bev) Wytheville, VA) on December 03, 2008 at 10:03 AM:
Diana, Thanks, I learned a lot from your article and wish I could add this plant to my Want List, but it doesn't like my zone! I really love multi-purpose plants.
Bev
This message was edited Dec 3, 2008 9:05 AM
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on December 03, 2008 at 11:09 AM:
Hi Bev,
I'm sort of close to you, I'm in zone 6b. Job's Tears grew fine from seed during the warm summer months. I'm still snipping seeds off it :) However, it is pretty much brown and has just about had it now. I plan on starting it from seed again next year.
Happy Gardening!
~Diana
...
Posted by Sundownr (from (Bev) Wytheville, VA) on December 03, 2008 at 11:36 AM:
Diana, I'll check into the plant some more then!
Thanks for the info,
Bev
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on December 03, 2008 at 11:39 AM:
You're welcome. I have extra seeds if you or anyone needs any, JLMK.
~DW
...
Posted by Sundownr (from (Bev) Wytheville, VA) on December 03, 2008 at 11:49 AM:
Diana, You can put my name on your list of Job's Tears seed recipients, lol. I'll check your Want List to see if I have anything for a trade you might like/need.
Bev
...
Posted by Sundownr (from (Bev) Wytheville, VA) on December 03, 2008 at 11:51 AM:
OK, that wasn't productive, lol.
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on December 03, 2008 at 01:56 PM:
hehehe...you mean you don't happen to have some Tacca niveahttp://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/59995/ seeds handy :))) I appreciate the offer, but not at all necessary. I still have so many seeds from last years Cottage Gardening seed swap and I'm currently in this years. I think there is still time if you want to join in.
I'll send out your Job's Tears seeds asap.
~DW
...
Posted by Sundownr (from (Bev) Wytheville, VA) on December 03, 2008 at 02:45 PM:
LOL, no I don't have any of those nice tender plants you're looking for. My Have List is full of herbs, or what some may call weeds. I'll check out the Cottage Gardening seed swap. I haven't made time to check out the forum like I wanted either.
I really appreciate the Job's Tears seeds!!! I look forward to growing and using it for beads and food.
Thanks so very much,
Bev
...
Subject: Thanks
Posted by Fitsy (from Hayesville, NC) on December 03, 2008 at 09:06 AM:
Thank you for this very interesting information!!
Fitsy
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on December 03, 2008 at 11:29 AM:
You're quite welcome, thank you for your feedback. Have a good day :)
Happy & Healthy Gardening!
~Diana
...
Posted by KyWoods (from Melbourne, KY) on December 03, 2008 at 04:05 PM:
Wow, fascinating plant, which I'd never heard of before! Thanks! I'll bet it would be good nutrition for our wildlife, too.
...
Subject: Musical seeds
Posted by jjacques (from LE TAMPON, Reunion (French)) on December 02, 2008 at 11:54 PM:
Hello
A common weed here on Reunion island, growing in most wet ravines and along creeks, the seeds are sometimes used for 'Kayamb' a local music intrument made of sugar cane flower stalk assembled in a hollow box with seeds inserted inside and rattling when you shake it. Actually seeds of Canna edulis are prefered for the job but Job's tear can do the trick though some locals will state that having Job's tears seeds in one's home may bring bad luck there...
Jean-Jacques
...
Posted by Lily_love (from Central, AL) on December 03, 2008 at 09:56 AM:
Thanks Diane for a nice article about the fascinating plant. J.J. thanks for sharing your experience with the plant from your part of the world. Fascinating!
...
Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on December 03, 2008 at 11:26 AM:
Hello,
It is so nice to hear form you both, thanks for sharing your comments. Coix lacryma-jobi L. really is a fascinating plant.
It is always interesting and a pleasure to learn of different cultural uses of the foods and plants we grow.
Happy Gardening!
~Diana
...
Posted by jjacques (from LE TAMPON, Reunion (French)) on December 04, 2008 at 10:06 AM:
Hello folks,
Job's tear although of easy access here is seldom used for ornaments as local crafts are not very developped and for most people it would not be proper jewels, gold is much more sought after...The bad luck thing is rather versatile, many old creole folks will in no way grow a banana tree in the front yard (bad luck and brings evils in!) while back yard is all right but nowadays you see banana trees anywhere there is enough room to allow it...
I never heard of people using the seeds for food here but it is more common on nearby Madagascar where people starve.
JJ
Growing Job's Tears
string from the stalk. As the seeds mature, their colors turn from pea green to shades of green-brown and dark chocolate. 
Patricia Capotosto, who designs wire art jewelry in Oak Park, Illinois, creates beautiful jewelry using wire and ancient Egyptian Art techniques. Her beautiful Job's Tears bracelets are made from plants she grows herself in her backyard. She made a bracelet for a cousin recovering from breast cancer, lovely rosaries for an aunt who lost her vision and lives in a nursing home, and for her granddaughter when she made her confirmation.
Job's Tears are edible and valued in the Far East
