How Tall Can Your Baby Tears Plant Grow? Factors that Affect Height

The delicate and trailing Baby Tears plant, also known as Soleirolia soleirolii, is a popular choice for gardens, hanging baskets, and indoor containers. This low-growing plant is loved for its tiny, rounded leaves that look like tiny droplets of water.

If you’re growing Baby Tears, you may be wondering just how tall this plant can get. The maximum height depends on several key factors. Read on to learn what affects the height of your Baby Tears and how to help it reach its full potential.

Light Exposure

One of the most important factors in determining the height of your Baby Tears is light exposure This plant does best in bright, indirect light Some morning or late afternoon sun is tolerated, but harsh midday sun should be avoided as it can scorch the foliage.

If your Baby Tears plant isn’t getting enough sunlight, it will start to stretch and become leggy as it reaches for light. Ideally, this plant should receive 4-6 hours of bright, filtered sunlight per day for compact growth.

Outdoors, look for a spot that offers morning sun and afternoon shade. Indoors, place your Baby Tears near an east or west-facing window. You can also use sheer curtains to diffuse the sunlight. Rotate your plant periodically so all sides receive equal light.

Insufficient light will limit the height and cause your Baby Tears to grow tall and sparse rather than forming a lush, dense mat of foliage.

Soil Moisture

Baby Tears requires constantly moist soil to thrive. The plant will suffer if the soil dries out completely. However, you also want to avoid overly soggy soil, which can lead to root rot.

Aim to keep the soil consistently damp but not wet. Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. The soil beneath should remain slightly moist. For outdoor plants, regular rainfall may provide sufficient moisture. Indoor plants may need watering every 4-5 days.

If your Baby Tears isn’t getting enough water, growth will slow down. The stems may start to thin and elongate as the plant gets stressed. Maintaining optimal soil moisture will ensure strong, steady growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Baby Tears flourishes in warm temperatures between 60-80°F (15-26°C). Cooler temperatures below 50°F (10°C) can cause growth to stall. If exposed to frost or freezing temperatures, the foliage will turn black and die.

This plant also appreciates high humidity. The ideal range is 60-80%. You can boost humidity for indoor plants by using a humidity tray filled with pebbles and water or with a humidifier. Mist the plant daily to supplement humidity.

If the air is too hot and dry, Baby Tears growth will suffer. The plant may wilt, and the leaves can brown and crisp around the edges. Ensure proper temperatures and humidity for lush, vibrant growth.

Pot Size

If you’re growing Baby Tears in a container, the size of the pot will impact how large the plant can grow. A small container will restrict root development, limiting nutrient and water uptake.

Use at least an 8-10 inch pot with drainage holes. For long trailing stems, pick a hanging basket or wider, shallow container to allow the plant to spread out. Avoid cramped pots, or you’ll end up with a stunted plant.

Gradually shift to a larger pot as your plant grows. Only go up 1-2 inches at a time to prevent transplant shock. This will provide enough room for root expansion and compact, bushy foliage growth.

Nutrition

While Baby Tears isn’t a heavy feeder, supplying nutrients can encourage lush, healthy growth. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half strength every 2-3 weeks during spring and summer.

Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can cause rapid, weak growth. It can also lead to salt buildup and root burn. Careful fertilizing will support your plant without pushing excessive height.

Pruning

Regular pruning and trimming your Baby Tears encourages fuller, bushier growth. Pinching or snipping back long, leggy stems directs the plant’s energy toward forming new stems and leaves.

Prune any time your plant starts to look uneven, scraggly or excessively long. It’s generally best to trim off no more than 1/3 of the plant at once to avoid shock. This technique can help manage height and shape your Baby Tears.

Growing Conditions

Your Baby Tears will thrive when you meet its preferences for lighting, temperature, humidity and care. Stressing or neglecting your plant by allowing it to dry out, keeping it in very low light or maintaining improper temperatures may cause stretched, sparse growth.

Monitor your plant and watch for signs of stress. Adjust its growing conditions as needed to maintain optimal health. A happy, established Baby Tears will grow fuller and remain compact.

Mature Plant Size

Baby Tears is prized for its petite size. Most varieties will reach just 3-6 inches tall at maturity, spreading out horizontally across the ground. However, in ideal conditions some types may reach up to 12 inches tall.

To keep your plant low and dense, provide bright indirect light, ample water, high humidity, regular pruning and an adequately sized container. With the right care, your Baby Tears will stay small and stunning.

Troubleshooting Leggy Growth

If your Baby Tears starts to grow tall and leggy, there are a few ways to troubleshoot:

• Move the plant to a spot with brighter, indirect light to encourage compact growth. Rotate the pot regularly to expose all sides.

• Check that you aren’t underwatering. Allow the soil to partially dry between waterings but don’t let it get bone dry.

• Increase humidity through misting, trays of pebbles, or a humidifier. Aim for 60% or higher.

• Switch to a pot that is 2 inches larger to give the roots more room to expand.

• Prune back any excessively long stems and leaves to promote bushiness.

• Avoid temperature extremes and protect from frost or cold drafts.

• Reduce fertilizer, which can encourage weak, lanky growth if overdone.

Achieving Maximum Height

To help your Baby Tears reach its full height potential:

• Site the plant in a warm spot with 4-6 hours of bright, indirect sun each day.

• Keep the soil consistently damp through frequent watering and humidity trays.

• Maintain temperatures between 60-80°F and provide ample humidity.

• Repot annually in late winter, sizing up the container gradually.

• Feed monthly during spring through summer with a balanced fertilizer.

• Prune lightly and often to encourage dense, bushy growth.

• Allow adequate air circulation and avoid cramped spaces.

Final Tips

• Outdoors, plant in partial to full shade in rich, moist soil.

• Indoors, use a fast-draining potting mix and water when the top inch is dry.

• Mist leaves frequently and group with other plants to boost humidity.

• Avoid cold drafts and protect from frost and freezing temperatures.

• Propagate by stem cuttings for lush, full coverage. Divide when overgrown.

By following these simple guidelines, you can help your Baby Tears reach its maximum size potential and enjoy this gorgeous plant for years to come. With the right care, it will reward you with a cascading carpet of beautiful greenery.