The Baby Tears plant (Soleirolia soleirolii) is a delicate perennial known for its lush, moss-like appearance and tiny, round leaves. Also called Angel’s Tears or Mind-Your-Own-Business, this fast-growing plant is popular for creating a vibrant green carpet effect in terrariums, hanging baskets, or as a dense groundcover.
Basic Care Needs
Caring for the Baby Tears plant involves providing specific environmental conditions. Attention to light, water, humidity, soil, temperature, and fertilization ensures its robust growth.
Light
Baby Tears plants thrive in bright, indirect light conditions. Placing them near a window that receives filtered sunlight, such as a north or east-facing window, is ideal. Direct, intense sunlight can scorch its delicate leaves, causing them to brown or yellow. While it can tolerate lower light, growth may be slower and less vigorous.
Water
Consistent moisture is crucial for Baby Tears; keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. The plant wilts quickly if the soil dries out, though it often recovers once watered. Ensure proper drainage to prevent root rot. Watering every 5 to 7 days during the growing season is generally sufficient, allowing the top inch of soil to feel slightly dry before rewatering.
Humidity
High humidity is a significant requirement for Baby Tears. Maintaining humidity levels between 60% and 80% is beneficial. Methods to increase humidity include placing the plant on a pebble tray, regular misting, or housing it in a terrarium. Bathrooms or kitchens often provide naturally higher humidity levels that suit this plant well.
Soil
A well-draining, rich, and slightly acidic potting mix is preferred for Baby Tears. A suitable blend often includes peat moss, perlite, and loamy soil to ensure good aeration while retaining adequate moisture. The ideal pH range for optimal growth is between 5.0 and 6.0, or slightly acidic to neutral (6.0 to 7.0). Incorporating compost or well-rotted manure can further improve soil structure and nutrient content.
Temperature
Baby Tears plants prefer average room temperatures, typically ranging from 60°F to 75°F (16°C to 24°C). They are sensitive to extreme temperature fluctuations and cold drafts, which can cause leaf browning. Protecting the plant from sudden changes helps maintain its health and vibrant appearance.
Fertilizer
Light feeding during the active growing season (spring and summer) encourages lush foliage. A balanced liquid fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 formula, diluted to half strength and applied every two to four weeks, is generally sufficient. Over-fertilization should be avoided, as it can lead to burnt foliage and yellowing leaves.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Regular maintenance helps Baby Tears maintain its dense, attractive form and promotes healthy growth.
Pruning
Pruning Baby Tears improves its appearance and encourages bushier growth. Regularly trimming back leggy or overgrown stems helps maintain a compact shape and prevents the plant from becoming too dense. Removing any yellowed, brown, or dead leaves directs the plant’s energy towards new, healthy foliage. Prune throughout the growing season.
Repotting
Baby Tears grows quickly and may require repotting every 1-2 years, or when roots begin to emerge from drainage holes. When repotting, choose a container only slightly larger than the current one, as the plant prefers to be somewhat root-bound. Gently loosen the soil and transfer the plant to its new home, ensuring it sits at the same soil depth. Early spring or winter are optimal times for repotting to accommodate new growth and refresh the soil.
Placement
Strategic placement benefits Baby Tears, especially indoors. Its preference for high humidity makes it an excellent choice for terrariums, humid bathrooms, or kitchens. Hanging baskets allow its trailing stems to cascade attractively. When grown as groundcover outdoors in suitable climates, it thrives in shaded areas, softening pathways or covering soil.
Addressing Common Problems
Even with diligent care, Baby Tears plants can sometimes exhibit signs of stress. Recognizing common problems and their causes allows for timely intervention, helping the plant recover and thrive.
Browning or Crispy Leaves
Brown or crispy leaves often indicate insufficient watering or low humidity. They are sensitive to drying out; even slight underwatering can lead to leaf damage. Increasing watering frequency and boosting ambient humidity through misting or pebble trays prevents further browning. Too much direct sunlight can also scorch leaves, causing them to turn brown.
Wilting or Drooping
Wilting or drooping foliage can signal either under- or overwatering. If the soil is dry, wilting is due to lack of moisture and often recovers quickly after watering. However, persistent wilting with soggy soil or a foul smell suggests root rot due to overwatering. Check soil moisture to differentiate and adjust watering.
Pests
Baby Tears plants are generally resistant to pests, but occasionally, pests like spider mites or aphids may appear. Signs of infestation include tiny webs, sticky residue, or visible insects on the foliage. Non-chemical solutions such as gently wiping the leaves with a damp cloth or using insecticidal soap manage these pests without harming the plant. Maintaining good air circulation also deters pests.
Propagating Baby Tears
Propagating Baby Tears is easy. The plant readily roots from stem cuttings or through division, especially during its active growing season.
Stem cuttings are the simplest propagation method. Select healthy stems at least two inches long and remove the lower leaves to expose a node. Place cuttings directly into moist potting mix, ensuring at least one node is buried; they will root within a few weeks. Alternatively, divide a mature plant by gently separating root ball sections and replanting each cluster in its own pot with moist, well-draining soil.