Babys tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) is a mat-forming tropical perennial with myriad tiny leaves. Often confused as a type of moss, it comes from the nettle family. What makes babys tears special is its dense, delicate mat of fine round or bean-shaped leaves on short, fleshy stems. Lower-light conditions, a warmer climate, and rich, moist soil will enable this plant to thrive. Babys tears plants are easy to grow for beginners, but they require regular attention to look their best.
The baby tears plant, also known as pilea glauca, pilea microphylla, or friendship plant, is a popular houseplant known for its tiny round leaves that creep along the soil like a moss. With its trailing stems covered in delicate foliage, it’s easy to see why this plant is called “baby tears.”
Though relatively easy to grow, baby tears plants can fall victim to rotting if their care needs are not properly met. In this article, we’ll look at what causes rot in baby tears and how to prevent it through proper watering, humidity, light conditions, airflow, and more
What Causes Rot in Baby Tears Plants?
Here are the most common causes of rot in baby tears plants
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Overwatering – The #1 cause of rot is too much moisture. Baby tears like evenly moist soil but not wet or soggy conditions.
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Poor drainage – Excess water that can’t drain away from the roots will lead to decay
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Low humidity – Baby tears thrive in high humidity. Dry air can cause browning leaf tips and an environment ripe for fungal or bacterial rot.
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Poor air circulation – Stagnant, stale air provides the perfect conditions for fungal or bacterial rot organisms to take hold.
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Dense foliage – When stems and leaves grow too dense, moisture gets trapped, encouraging rot.
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Cool temperatures – Consistently cool temps below 65°F (18°C) can make baby tears prone to rotting.
7 Tips to Prevent Rot in Baby Tears
Here are some tips to keep your baby tears healthy and prevent rot from taking hold:
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Water properly – Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Ensure the soil drains well and never stays soggy.
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Increase humidity – Use a humidifier, pebble tray, or weekly misting to keep humidity above 50%.
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Give bright, indirect light – Low light discourages air circulation. Place in a bright spot but avoid direct sun.
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Promote airflow – Gently turn or rotate plants weekly to prevent dense growth. Use a small fan to increase air movement.
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Avoid overcrowding – Thin stems to open up airflow and light penetration. Repot when rootbound.
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Keep temperatures moderate – Avoid drafty areas. Maintain temperatures above 65°F (18°C).
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Use well-draining soil – Repot in a mix containing perlite or bark to allow drainage.
Early Signs of Rot in Baby Tears
Catching the early signs of rot gives you the best chance to take action before major damage occurs:
- Leaves start yellowing or browning at the tips
- Soft, mushy stems or leaves
- Foul odor from the soil
- White fungal growth on soil or roots
- Black or brown, mushy roots
At the first sign of rot, you can prune off any affected stems and transition the plant to a better draining soil mix to allow its roots to dry out. Remove any rotting sections of roots and repot in sterile, well-draining soil.
How to Treat and Stop Rot Once It Starts
If rot has already taken hold, treating it requires swift action:
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Remove the plant from its pot and wash off as much soil as possible from the roots to inspect them. Clean off any rotting roots or stems.
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Prune off any affected leaves, stems, or roots, cutting at least an inch below the rotted area. Sterilize pruning shears between each cut.
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Repot in fresh potting mix, ensuring the pot has drainage holes. Choose a heavier mix containing more perlite or bark.
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Move the plant to a location with increased sunlight and airflow.
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Allow the soil to dry out more between waterings. Water sparingly just to moisten the soil until new growth emerges.
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Apply a fungicide according to label instructions if fungal rot is present.
With prompt treatment at the first sign of rot, baby tears can often bounce back. Just be sure to address any care issues like overwatering that led to the rot in the first place.
How to Prevent Rot Going Forward
Here are some great tips to keep your baby tears thriving and rot-free in the future:
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Check soil moisture frequently, watering only when the top inch is dry.
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Always pour off excess water from saucers after watering. Never let plants sit in water.
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Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly to help plants outgrow rot issues.
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Consider adding a grow light if natural sunlight is low to aid air circulation.
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Propagate healthy stems to start fresh, rot-free plants as needed.
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Discard and replace soil annually or whenever any rot has occurred to prevent recontamination.
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Increase air circulation with fans. Rotate plants and open windows on warm days.
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Monitor humidity levels and increase if needed through pebble trays or a humidifier.
While no plant is 100% immune to rot, following these tips diligently can help prevent most cases in baby tears. Check plants often for early signs of trouble, and act immediately at the first hint of rot to get your baby tears back to good health.
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Water
Babys tears plants are thirsty plants that never like to dry out. If you allow your plants to dry out, youll notice a dramatic wilting. Water as soon as you notice wilting, and within a day, they should recover. Babys tears houseplants will require slightly less water in the winter months. Its fine for the soils surface to be dry, but the soil around the roots should be moist. However, do not let the roots sit in water, which can promote root rot. Make sure the soil stays moist but drains well.
Light
Babys tears plants dislike intense direct sunlight, which may scorch leaves. They look their best in bright, filtered light. Baby tears plants can thrive under artificial lights indoors. Outdoors, place it in a shadier location.
Baby Tears Plant Care (How Not To Kill Your Baby Tears Plant)
FAQ
How do you save a baby plant from root rot?
How do you prevent plant rot?
How do you save a dying baby tears plant?
What is a natural anti rot for plants?
Why is my baby’s tears plant rotting?
The baby’s tears plant can experience root rot if they are overwatered. Keep the soil just moist enough to ensure proper watering, but not too moist to waterlog the roots. Botrytis and southern blight are also common when baby’s tears plant growing conditions are off, and foliage sits in moisture for too long.
Should baby’s tears plants be soggy?
However, baby’s tears plants should never be soggy. The first rule of baby’s tear plant care is to give it a moist soil environment but the level of water must not go overboard. Overly damp soil will cause the root rot on your baby’s tears plant. Usually watering every 5 to 7 days during the growing season is enough.
How do you care for baby’s tears?
Common diseases to watch out for in Baby’s Tears Plants are root rot from overwatering, leaf spot disease, and powdery mildew. To prevent root rot, make sure not to overwater your plant, and always check that the top inch or so of soil is dry before watering again.
How do you plant baby tears?
Light: In outdoor settings, place Baby Tears in a spot that receives partial to full shade. Too much direct sunlight can damage the leaves. Soil: If planting in the ground, ensure the soil is rich in organic matter and drains well. For container gardening, use a high-quality potting mix similar to indoor plants.