Baby's Tears Plant (Soleirolia soleirolii) Indoor Care and Propagation Guide

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Botanical name: Soleirolia soleirolii
Synonym: Helxine soleirolii
Family: Urticaceae
Common names: Baby's Tears Plant, Mind Your Own Business, Angel's Tears, Bits and Pieces, Bread and Cheese, Corsican Creeper, Corsican Curse, Paddy's Wig, Irish Moss

Description

Baby's Tears Plant (Soleirolia soleirolii) is a fast-growing plant that is ideal for a hanging basket or for covering soil around tall plants but care should be taken as the plant can smoother low-growing plants.

Baby's Tears Plant has a number of common names like Mind Your Own Business, Angel's Tears, Bits and Pieces, Bread and Cheese, Corsican Creeper, Corsican Curse, Paddy's Wig, Irish Moss among others.

Soleirolia soleirolii is fast grow and easy to propagate where a small clump of the plant will grow into a mossy mound in no time when placed on moist soil.

Mind Your Own Business Plant bears green or yellow tiny leaves and multitudes of tiny white flowers. The leaves in are slightly stalked, about 5mm across. The minute flowers produce oval seeds.

Soleirolia was named after Joseph Francois Soleirol by Espirit Requien, a French Naturalist. Soleirol, an amateur botanist collected the plant in Corsica an island in the Mediterranean Sea.

Origin

Soleirolia soleirolii formely called Helxine soleirolii is native to the Northern Mediterranean region in and around Italy and nearby islands.

Toxicity

Baby's Tears Plant (Soleirolia soleirolii) is non-toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. The plant is safe to be grown indoors.

Varieties

Several varieties of Soleirolia soleirolii are available; argentea has silvery leaves, Aurea has golden-green foliage and Variegata has silvery green variegated leaves among others.

Where to Buy

If you are looking to acquire this amazing plant, Buy Baby's Tears Plants online from Etsy.

Soleirolia soleirolii Care Indoors

Baby's Tears Plant (Soleirolia soleirolii) flourishes in bright, indirect light, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist soil that is rich in organic matter coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Soleirolia soleirolii requires cutting back of the straggly stems to rejuvenate growth. Repotting is only necessary when it becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Light Requirements

Baby's Tears Plant grows best in bright, indirect light or semi-shade but it will survive almost anywhere.

However, keep the Angel's Tears Plant away from direct sunshine to prevent sun scorching.

Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth.

Watering

Water Baby's Tears Plant liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 1-2 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep soil consistently moist.

Cut down on watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting and eventual death of the plant.

Temperature and Humidity

Average warmth with a minimum of 12⁰C is ideal for Baby's Tears Plant.

Keep the Angel's Tears Plant away from cold draughts to prevent sudden changes in temperature as they can cause leaf drop.

Baby's Tears prefers high humidity inorder to thrive. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

You can also grow Angel's Tears Plant in a terrarium as a high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium.

Potting Soil

The best soil for Baby's Tears Plant should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients.

Most multi-purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant. Purchase quality Potting Mix online from Etsy.

Fertilizer

Feed Baby's Tears Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing period for lush growth.

Do not feed the Angel's Tears Plant during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn and death of the plant.

Repotting

Repot Baby's Tears Plant during the growing season only when it becomes root-bound. Use a pot 1 size larger and one that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting and eventual death of the plant.

Pruning

Pruning Baby's Tears Plant is easy as it involves cutting back the stems when they become straggly to rejuvenate growth.

Propagation

Baby's Tears Plant (Soleirolia soleirolii) propagation can be done by plant division at any time of the year.

How to propagate Baby's Tears Plant by plant divison

Water the Baby's Tears Plant thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment. A well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.

Take the Baby's Tears Plant out of its pot and carefully divide it into several sections. Ensure each section has adequate roots for faster establishment.

Pot these sections in moist free-draining soil in individual pots. Ensure each pot has a drainage hole inorder to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.

Place the pots in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist through out until new growth emerges on the sections.

Allow the new Angel's Tears Plants to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.

Soleirolia soleirolii Problems

Baby's Tears Plant (Soleirolia soleirolii) is a relatively hardy plant and has few problems when grown indoors. Baby's Tears Plant problems include brown shrivelled leaf tips, plant death, pests and diseases. Read on for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.

Brown, shrivelled leaf tips

Brown, shrivelled leaf tips in Baby's Tears Plant are caused by too dry air (low humidity) where the indoor temperatures are very high.

To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.

Angel's Tears Plant can also be grown in a terrarium as a high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium.

Pests

The common pests in Baby's Tears Plant are Aphids, Whiteflies and Red Spider Mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests.

Regularly mist the leaves to discourage the pests infestations. Read on how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.

Plant rotting and dying

Baby's Tears Plant is rotting and dying due to root-rot disease which is promoted by soggy soil caused by poor drainage of the soil.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil drains easily to prevent it from getting soggy. Read more on how to treat root-rot in houseplants.