The baby tears plant, also known by its botanical name Soleirolia soleirolii is a low-growing creeper that is cherished for its delicate, lush green leaves. With its cascading habit, it makes a beautiful addition to hanging baskets terrariums, and as a ground cover outdoors.
Propagating your own baby tears plant is an easy and rewarding way to make more plants for free. In this article, we’ll walk through the simple process of propagating baby tears from stem cuttings or divisions. Soon you’ll have baby tears offspring to share with friends or expand your own collection.
Gather Your Propagation Supplies
Propagating baby tears is simple. but you’ll need a few supplies
- A healthy parent plant
- Sharp, clean shears or scissors
- Small pots or trays with drainage holes
- Potting mix
- Rooting hormone (optional)
- Clear plastic bags or doming covers
- Water mister
Be sure to sanitize your tools before making any cuts to avoid transmitting diseases between plants. Rubbing alcohol works well for this.
Select Healthy Stems
Examine your parent plant and select healthy stems to use for cuttings. Look for stems that are at least 2 inches long and have several leaves toward the tip. Avoid stems that are very thick and woody or overly thin and leggy.
Make sure the parent plant is vigorous, free of pests/disease, and hasn’t been recently trimmed. This will ensure the highest success rate for your cuttings rooting.
Make Your Cuttings
Use your sterile shears to cut each stem just below a leaf node. The node is the point where a leaf meets the stem. Make your cut at an angle to maximize the surface area for roots to emerge later.
Carefully strip off the lower set of leaves from each cutting, leaving just a few leaves at the top. More leaves mean more transpiration, which can lead to dehydration before roots form.
Optionally, you can dip the bare end of each cutting in rooting hormone before planting, which encourages quicker root formation.
Plant and Cover the Cuttings
Make small holes in your potting mix with a pencil about 2 inches apart. Place your cuttings into the holes and firm the soil around them. Bury them just deep enough to cover one node on the stem.
Water the soil before and after planting your cuttings. You want it moist but not saturated.
Cover the pot with a plastic bag or dome to maintain very high humidity around the cuttings. This prevents drying out. Place the pot where it will receive bright, indirect light.
Rooting and Growth
In about 2-4 weeks, you should see roots begin to form. You’ll notice new leaves and growth as the cutting becomes established.
Once roots are filling out the pot, it’s time to uncover and transition your new baby tears plant to normal care. Well-rooted cuttings can be repotted or used as transplants in the garden.
Dividing Established Plants
Mature baby tears plants can also be propagated by division:
- Carefully remove the plant from its pot. Tease apart the root mass, dividing it into smaller sections.
- Make sure each divided section has some roots attached. Trim any excess growth.
- Re-pot the divisions in small pots using fresh potting mix.
- Water well and grow on as normal. New plants will establish quicker than cuttings.
Dividing overgrown plants helps rejuvenate them while yielding new plants. It’s best done in early spring.
Tips for Propagation Success
Follow these tips to ensure your baby tears cuttings root successfully:
- Keep humidity very high under domes/bags until roots form
- Provide bright, indirect sunlight
- Keep soil moist but not soaked
- Remove flowers/buds which sap cutting’s energy
- Pinch off any wilted leaves
- Transfer to soil once roots are 1-2 inches long
With proper care, your propagated baby tears will mature into lush, full plants. Enjoy sharing these elegant creeper with fellow gardeners!
Frequently Asked Questions About Propagating Baby Tears
Here are answers to some common questions about propagating baby tears plants:
How long does it take for baby tears cuttings to root?
With proper humidity and care, baby tears cuttings typically root in 2-4 weeks. Rooting time can vary based on factors like temperature and quality of the cutting.
Can baby tears be propagated in water?
Yes, baby tears can be rooted in water instead of soil. Place cuttings in a jar of clean water, changing it out every few days. Transition to soil once roots are 1-2 inches long.
Should I use rooting hormone on baby tears cuttings?
While not required, dipping the cut ends in rooting hormone can shorten rooting time by a week or so. Use a powder or gel product designed for houseplants.
What are signs baby tears cuttings have successfully rooted?
Signs of rooting include new leaf growth, roots visible emerging from the node, and improved vigor/less wilting of the cutting. Gently tug the cutting to feel resistance from root formation.
How big do baby tears plants get from cuttings?
Given proper care and time to mature, baby tears plants grown from cuttings reach a similar size and habit as those from seed, spreading into a thick ground cover.
Propagating your own baby tears plants is an easy and rewarding way to expand your collection of this elegant houseplant creeper. With a bit of patience for rooting, you’ll have baby tears aplenty to enjoy or share with other plant lovers.
Identifying Common Problems
Wilting cuttings can signal dehydration. Ensure your Babys Tears arent drying out due to being pot-bound. If wilting persists, repot to rejuvenate.
Root rot is the bane of many plants, and overwatering is often the culprit. Blackened leaves and a nasty smell? Its time to intervene. Unpot the plant, trim away the rot, and repot in well-draining soil with added perlite.
Propagation Method 1: Stem Cuttings
Selecting healthy stems is your starting line for stem cuttings. Look for vigorous growth and no signs of pests or disease. Snip below a node using sterilized shears, because who wants to introduce bacteria to a fresh wound?
Rooting in water is like giving your cuttings a swimming lesson. Submerge the node, but keep those leaves high and dry. Transition to soil once youve got a nice little root system going. Alternatively, go straight to soil, keeping it moist until roots take hold.