The dense, lush and rich green leaves of the baby tears plant look incredible when falling from a hanging basket. However, the thought of maintaining these delicate-leaved plants can be intimidating! Do they look difficult to plant and care for to you as well?
Well, you don’t have to worry about planting or taking care of these charming baby’s tear plants. They are easy to maintain and can serve as an excellent houseplant.
Scientifically, they’re known as Soleirolia soleirolii or Helxine soleirolii, baby tears is delicate looking, featuring bright yellow leaves with tiny white flowers. Outdoors, you’ll usually find them as a ground cover or in ornamental gardens.
They’re native to southern Europe, mainly Italy, Sardinia, and Corsica. These moss-looking plants are often regarded as environmental weed in Western Europe and California. If you’re looking for a plant to enhance the appeal of your home’s interior décor, Soleirolia soleirolii is a great option to choose.
Read on to learn more about how to plant dwarf baby’s tears plant and take care of them properly.
Adding a touch of greenery to your home or garden can do wonders for brightening up the space. And if you’re looking for a petite plant with delicate foliage baby tears is a top choice. But with different varieties to pick from how do you choose the right baby tears plant for your needs? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the key factors to keep in mind when selecting baby tears for your landscape.
An Overview of Baby Tears
Baby tears, also known by names like angel’s tears or Paddy’s wig is a creeping perennial in the nettle family. It has tiny rounded leaves on trailing stems that spread to form a mat-like carpet of foliage. While it can grow aggressively outdoors in warm climates indoors baby tears stays compact and tidy when contained in a pot.
There are a few varieties to choose from with subtle differences in leaf color and shape
- Soleirolia soleirolii – The most common type, with lime green leaves.
- S. soleirolii ‘Aurea’ – Lime leaves with yellow edges.
- S. soleirolii ‘Albomarginata’ – Green leaves edged in white.
- Pilea depressa – Slightly oval leaves with pointed tips.
No matter which you choose, baby tears needs similar care: indirect light, high humidity, and consistently moist soil. It’s not prone to pests or diseases. Now let’s look at how to select the right variety for your needs.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Baby Tears
Here are the key considerations when deciding which baby tears is best for your landscape:
Where Will You Grow It?
- Indoors – All varieties do well indoors. Choose based on the look you prefer.
- Outdoors – Some tolerate more sun than others. Aurea and Albomarginata can handle some direct sun.
What Look Do You Want?
- Green foliage – Soleirolii offers classic lime green leaves.
- Colorful foliage – Aurea has yellow edges, Albomarginata has white.
What’s Your Climate?
- Cool climates – Most varieties do well indoors here. Outdoors opt for standard Soleirolii.
- Warm climates – You have more options for outdoor growing.
How Much Space Do You Have?
- Limited space – Baby tears stays compact in pots indoors.
- Large areas – Use outdoors as a ground cover.
How Much Maintenance Are You Willing to Do?
- Lower maintenance – The green Soleirolii requires less trimming.
- Higher maintenance – Aurea and Albomarginata may need more pruning.
By taking these factors into account, you can zero in on the right baby tears plant for your unique needs.
Growing and Caring for Baby Tears
Once you’ve chosen the perfect baby tears for your landscape, it’s time to get growing! Here are some tips for caring for these petite charmers:
- Light – Bright indirect light indoors. Dappled shade outdoors.
- Water – Keep the soil consistently moist. Never let dry out.
- Humidity – Prefers 60% humidity or higher. Use a humidifier or pebble tray.
- Temperature – Average room temperature. Avoid cold drafts.
- Soil – Use a loose, well-draining potting mix.
- Fertilizer – Feed monthly with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
- Pruning – Trim as needed to maintain a compact shape.
Baby tears is relatively fast growing as long as you give it the right conditions. It’s easy to propagate too – just snip off a stem tip and pot it in moist soil.
Troubleshooting Common Baby Tears Problems
While baby tears is not prone to many issues, here are some potential problems and how to fix them:
- Leggy growth – Increase light exposure.
- Leaf drop – Increase humidity and watering frequency.
- Slow growth – Fertilize regularly and increase light exposure.
- Brown leaf tips – Reduce fertilizer and allow soil to partly dry before watering.
Catching problems early and adjusting care is key to keeping your baby tears thriving for years to come.
Showcasing Baby Tears in Your Landscape
There are so many creative ways to display these petite charmers:
- Use in terrariums and bottle gardens
- Trail from hanging baskets
- Place in bright bathroom for lush greenery
- Grow as a ground cover border in shady beds
- Add to mixed planters and dish gardens
Whether you want to highlight one variety or mix several for contrast, baby tears is endlessly versatile. Let it cascade over the edges of pots and baskets to show off its trailing nature. The possibilities are endless!
The Takeaway: Choose the Right Baby Tears for You
While all varieties of baby tears feature dainty rounded leaves on trailing stems, there are subtle differences that make certain types better for specific growing conditions and gardening needs. Consider where and how you want to grow it, how much maintenance you prefer, and the look you wish to achieve. Then select the baby tears that best fits your landscape vision! With a little care, these petite charmers will thrive indoors or out.
Baby’s Tear Plant Look-Alikes
If you are wondering how to care for Soleirolia soleirolii (baby’s tears) plants, it is important that you delve deeper into understanding the family of Urticaceae to which it belongs.
Pilea or Pilea depressa is a native of Mexico and Brazil. It belongs to the Urticaceae family and looks largely similar to the original baby’s tears plant. Though both types are not closely related, they can be confused with each other. Pilea has leaves smaller than a fingernail and are round in shape.
If you are looking to grow baby tear plant for terrariums or container gardens, Pilea ‘Baby’s Tear’ can be the best option. With their small and delicate structure, they look beautiful hanging from the containers or draped on the wall. However, you have to make sure that this type of Soleirolia soleirolii does not dry out.
Aurea is another variety of Soleirolia soleirolii. It is commonly known as Golden Baby’s Tears plant. They are perennial plants used for groundcover. These baby’s tears plants have the ability to grow as high as two inches and as wide as 18 inches.
The growing conditions for these baby’s tears plants remain the same: they need well-draining soil with even moisture. It can grow in shady locations and places without direct light. Aurea baby tears has broad leaves and is golden in color.
All About Baby Tears Plants
Baby tears has small round leaves in lush green and yellow leaves on rather fleshy stems. They are low growing plants that give off a moss-like look. Belonging from the Urticaceae family, Soleirolia soleirolii grows vigorously and is likely to outgrow its container. It can be easily grown indoors near bright sunlight windows, patios or even in shady spots.
If you are looking for an alternative to grass, baby tears is an excellent option, especially because this is an evergreen plant. This mat-forming creeping member of the nettle family is perfect for subtropical and temperate areas. Baby’s tears originates in the Mediterranean — specifically in coastal Italy. Today, baby’s tears plants are common in many other parts of the world.
The baby tears plant is similar to other members of the nettle family, and even shares a common name with Sagina subulata, called Irish moss. However, the baby’s tears plants has a completely different botanical structure and belongs to another family.
SUPER STYLISH & FAST Growing Plant For Hanging Basket – Baby’s Tears Plant Care 101
FAQ
How big do baby tear plants get?
How do I make my baby tear plant bushy?
Can baby tears grow in the sun?
Where to plant baby tears?
Can baby tears grow in potting soil?
A rich soil amended with humus, compost, or manure is sufficient for baby’s tears plants. It will also help to regulate the moisture level for plants. Commercial potting soil is suitable for growing baby tears as a houseplant or in a container garden. Baby’s tears plants are thirsty plants that never like to dry out.
How to use baby tears in landscape design?
As mentioned above, there are many ways you can utilize this baby tears plant in your landscape. In an outdoor landscape design, this plant can be grown as a ground cover because it grows fast, therefore occupying a lot of horizontal space. It may also be planted in pots and turned into topiaries.
Are baby tears a perennial?
Yes, Baby tears are known for their rapid growth under optimal conditions. Conclusion In conclusion, the baby’s tears plants are a wonderful creeping perennial perfect for indoor settings. As a plant that originally came from the Mediterranean regions, this plant prefers to be planted in areas with the same climatic conditions.
Do baby’s tears flower?
Baby’s tear plants produce tiny, creamy white, fragrant, otherwise insignificant flowers. These petal-less blossoms are less than an inch in size. Baby’s tears rarely flower when kept indoors or cultivated. The best chance of plentiful blooms is to plant them outdoors as an evergreen cover or filler plant for rock gardens.