Harvesting Baby Tears Plant: Timing and Techniques

The dainty trailing stems and tiny leaves of baby tears plant lend a delicate charm to gardens and containers. But did you know this petite perennial can also be harvested for decorative uses? Learning the optimal timing and techniques for harvesting baby tears ensures you can enjoy its beauty without harming the plant.

As an avid gardener and baby tears enthusiast, I’ve gathered the best tips through research and personal experience for harvesting baby tears successfully. Read on to discover when to snip stems, how to encourage regrowth, and creative ways to display baby tears harvests

Overview of Baby Tears

First, let’s cover some quick basics about this sweet little plant. Baby tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) is a creeping evergreen perennial in the nettle family. Also called angel’s tears polka dot plant, and mind-your-own-business, it is native to the Mediterranean.

In the garden, baby tears forms a dense, carpet-like mat of tiny round leaves on slender stems The foliage emerges light green and develops a pinkish-bronze tint in cooler weather or bright light Delicate white flowers occasionally appear but are rare indoors.

Thanks to its spreading habit, baby tears works beautifully as a ground cover or cascading from containers and hanging baskets. The plant thrives in humid conditions and bright, indirect light. Once established, it tolerates some foot traffic and light pruning or harvesting.

When to Harvest Baby Tears

Timing is an important factor for harvesting baby tears successfully. Here are tips on when to snip stems:

• Spring to Summer – Harvest lighter to avoid trimming new growth. Only take pieces from dense, established areas.

• Early Fall – Harvest more freely, as growth slows for winter. Trim trailing stems back by a few inches.

• Anytime – Very light harvesting that removes only a few stems here and there can be done anytime.

• After Flowering – Old flowering stems can be removed anytime to encourage new growth.

• Avoid Mid-Summer – Limit harvesting during active growth periods in peak summer.

Pay attention to your plant’s growth habits and adjust timing accordingly. Trimming just a few pieces at a time prevents harming the plant.

Harvesting Techniques

When harvesting baby tears, use these gentle techniques:

• Snip stems using clean, sharp pruners or scissors to avoid tearing.

• Make cuts at an angle to mimic natural stem shapes.

• Avoid removing more than 20% of foliage at once to limit stress.

• Prune back uneven or bare spots to encourage fuller regrowth.

• Always cut stems just above a leaf joint to help new shoots emerge.

• Handle stems gently to prevent bruising and damage.

• Rinse harvested pieces in cool water before use.

With care and precision, you can maintain an attractive baby tears planting after harvesting.

Encouraging Regrowth

To help your baby tears thrive after harvesting, follow these tips:

• Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Baby tears prefers humid conditions.

• Mist foliage daily or use a pebble tray for added humidity.

• Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during growth periods.

• Ensure adequate indirect sunlight for photosynthesis.

• Remove any dead leaves or spent flowers to focus energy on new growth.

• Avoid foot traffic on freshly harvested areas until regrowth is full.

Proper care after harvesting helps baby tears fill back in beautifully. Monitor closely and adjust as needed.

Creative Uses for Harvested Baby Tears

The tiny trailing stems of baby tears are perfect for bringing delicate beauty to floral designs and home decor projects. Here are some creative uses:

• Make miniature terrariums by layering stems in clear glass containers. Mist occasionally.

• Weave harvested stems into wreaths, rings, and garlands. Spritz with water to stay flexible.

• Line a shallow bowl with stems and float candle votives for a natural centerpiece.

• Edge cake stands, platters, or signage with gathered baby tears stems.

• Decorate handmade paper, bookmarks, invitations, and more with pressed baby tears leaves.

• Embellish potted orchid and succulent plants by tucking in baby tears cuttings.

The options are endless for showcasing your harvested baby tears!

Storing Your Harvest

For best results, use baby tears harvests promptly after cutting. But you can store the stems for 1-2 weeks by:

• Placing cut ends in water, like a bouquet. Change water every 2-3 days.

• Lightly misting leaves and storing in a perforated plastic bag in the fridge.

• Submerging smaller pieces fully in water in the fridge.

Avoid storing baby tears long term, as leaves will eventually fade and drop. For maximum freshness, use immediately or within a week.

Answers to Common Baby Tears Questions

To summarize key points about harvesting baby tears, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How often can I harvest baby tears?

Harvest lightly but frequently, removing small amounts of growth each time instead of cutting back large sections all at once.

Do I need to prune my baby tears plant?

Occasional pruning by harvesting 10-20% of top growth at a time encourages dense regrowth. Just be conservative.

How fast does baby tears grow back after harvesting?

With proper care, baby tears will show signs of new growth in 1-2 weeks. Full recovery takes 4-6 weeks.

Can I cut back baby tears to the soil?

It’s best to avoid cutting back entirely to the soil line. Instead, prune selectively by snipping stems back by a few inches.

Do I need special tools for harvesting baby tears?

Sharp pruners or embroidery scissors work well. Avoid tearing stems by using clean, precise cuts.

Enjoy Your Baby Tears Harvests

With the right techniques and timing, harvesting baby tears can provide beautiful accents for crafty DIY projects or floral designs. Just be selective in how much you trim, and care properly for regrowth. Soon you’ll have an abundant supply of angel’s tears to highlight!