The Teardrop Pilea (Pilea glauca) is a popular houseplant known for its distinctive appearance. It’s also called Silver Sparkle Plant, Pilea Aquamarine, or Grey Baby Tears, names reflecting its unique, silvery foliage. This plant has a low, bushy, and often trailing growth habit, making it a favored choice for hanging baskets, terrariums, or as a delicate accent on shelves. Its tiny, round, gray-blue leaves have a sparkling effect.
Teardrop Pilea Care
Teardrop Pilea thrives in bright, indirect light. An east-facing window is ideal, providing gentle morning sun. While it tolerates some direct morning light, strong midday or afternoon sun can scorch its delicate leaves. Too little light may cause leggy growth.
Watering Teardrop Pilea requires a balanced approach. It prefers consistently moist soil but is susceptible to root rot if overwatered. Allow the top inch or two of the potting mix to dry out before rewatering. Ensure the pot has drainage holes, and discard excess water from the saucer.
A well-dr aining potting mix is important. A good mix includes peat moss, perlite, or sand to facilitate drainage while retaining moisture. A cactus or succulent soil mix, sometimes with added perlite, also works well to prevent waterlogging.
Teardrop Pilea prefers warm temperatures, ideally between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (15-27°C). Temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12°C) can harm the plant. It appreciates moderate to high humidity. To increase humidity, mist the plant regularly, place it on a pebble tray, or use a humidifier.
During spring and summer, feed your Teardrop Pilea with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer. Dilute the fertilizer to half strength and apply it approximately once per month. Fertilize from late winter/early spring until fall, avoiding colder months when growth slows.
Repotting is generally needed when the plant becomes root-bound, such as when roots grow out of drainage holes. Teardrop Pilea tolerates being slightly root-bound and doesn’t respond well to frequent repotting. When repotting, select a pot only one size larger. The best time to repot is typically in the spring.
Propagating Teardrop Pilea
Propagating Teardrop Pilea is straightforward, most commonly through stem cuttings. This is effective during the plant’s active growing season in spring or summer. Choose healthy stems with several leaves and at least one node.
Using clean, sharp scissors, take cuttings approximately two to four inches long, cutting just below a node. Remove any leaves from the lower inch of the stem to expose the nodes. Rooting hormone is optional but can encourage faster root development.
To root in soil, fill a small pot with a well-draining potting mix. Insert the bare stem end into the soil. Cover the pot with plastic to create a humid environment, and place it in a warm location with bright, indirect light. Keep the soil consistently moist.
Common Teardrop Pilea Problems
Yellowing leaves often signal overwatering. If the soil is soggy, allow it to dry out before watering again. Dry, crispy leaves or curling edges indicate underwatering, requiring a thorough soak.
Leggy growth, with stretched stems and widely spaced leaves, usually points to insufficient light. Moving the plant to a brighter location will help new growth be more compact. You can prune existing leggy stems to encourage bushier development.
Pest infestations can affect Teardrop Pilea. Common pests include spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and fungus gnats. Spider mites thrive in dry conditions and show as webbing. Mealybugs appear as white, cottony masses. Regular inspection and treatment with insecticidal soap or neem oil can manage these issues.
Root rot is a fungal problem caused by overwatering and poor drainage. Symptoms include wilting, yellowing leaves, and general decline. Prevent it by using well-draining soil and allowing the top layer to dry between waterings. If suspected, repot into fresh, drier soil after trimming affected roots.