Baby's Tears Plant (Soleirolia soleirolii) Care Indoors, Propagation, Problems & Remedies
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Soleirolia soleirolii also called Baby's Tears Plant is among the fast-growing plants and 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.
On account of its requirement for high humidity and warm conditions, Angel's Tears Plant is one of the favored plants for a closed terrarium as high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium.
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.
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
Origin
Soleirolia soleirolii formely called Helxine soleirolii is native to the Northern Mediterranean region in and around Italy and nearby islands.
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.
Is Soleirolia soleirolii toxic?
No. Soleirolia soleirolii is non-toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. Baby's Tears Plant is safe for a home where there are children, cats, dogs and other pets.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to acquire Angel's Tears Plants for your collection, you may get them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
To Care for Soleirolia soleirolii Indoors
To care for Soleirolia soleirolii indoors, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 15-240C, humidity of 70-80% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Baby's Tears Plant 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.
Watering
How often should I water a Baby's Tears Plant?
Do not water on a schedule. Water Baby's Tears Plant liberally in spring and summer while allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep soil consistently moist and avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, wilting, yellowing and leaf drop.
Cut down on watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period as underwatering will lead to wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf loss.
Use room temperature (tepid) water to prevent cold shock which can result in stunted growth and leaf drop. Only use chlorine-free water like rainwater to prevent browning of leaves.
Make sure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent sogginess as it can lead to rotting and eventual death of the plant.
Light Requirements
Does Baby's Tears Plant need full sun?
No. Baby's Tears Plant grows best in bright indirect light or semi-shade but it will survive almost anywhere. Keep it away from direct sunshine to prevent scorching.
Too little light will result in yellowing and leaf loss. If the natural lighting is not enough, you may use full spectrum grow lights to supplement it.
Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth to prevent leggy growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Baby's Tears Plant prospers in a warmth of 15-240C with a minimum of 120C. Keep it away from sources of drafts to prevent sudden temperature changes as they can lead to stunted growth, wilting, yellowing and leaf drop.
Angel's Tears Plant prefers a humidity of 70-80%. Dry air will lead to crispy leaves. To upscale humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.
You may also grow the plant in a closed terrarium or a well-lit bathroom, kitchen or laundry area. Maintain good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Baby's Tears Plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks in spring and summer for lush growth. Do not feed in the fall and winter since growth is slowed at this time and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn and death of the plant.
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. A blend of 50% potting soil, 30% peat moss or coco coir and 20% perlite is ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Baby's Tears Plant during the growing season, only when it becomes root-bound. Use a pot 1 size larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent rotting and eventual death of the plant. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Baby's Tears Plant involves cutting back the stems when they become straggly to rejuvenate growth.
Soleirolia soleirolii Propagation
Baby's Tears Plant is propagated by plant division at any time of the year. However, the best time to propagate is in spring to early summer when the plant is actively growing for faster establishment.
Propagating Baby's Tears Plant by plant divison
- Water the plant thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment.
- Slip the 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 to prevent rotting.
- Place the pots in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.
- Maintain the soil moist through out until new growth emerges on the sections.
- Allow the new plants to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.
Soleirolia soleirolii Problems & Solutions
Baby's Tears Plant is a relatively hardy plant and has few problems like plant dying, brown shrivelled leaf tips, yellow leaves, pests and diseases. Keep reading for more on these problems and their remedies.
Plant dying
Why is my Baby's Tears Plant dying?
Baby's Tears Plant is dying due to root-rot which is promoted by soggy soil. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil drains easily to prevent it from getting soggy.
Brown, shrivelled leaf tips
Brown, shrivelled leaf tips on Baby's Tears Plant are caused by too dry air. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, laundry area and other humid areas in the home.
Yellow leaves
Some of the causes of yellow leaves on Baby's Tears Plant are too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, dry air, direct sunlight or salts buildup.
How to fix it
Too little light: Position the plant in bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.
Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of the soil feel dry to touch; do not water on a schedule.
Soggy soil: Use a well-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like open doors, drafty windows, AC units, hot air vents, heat sources among others.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.
Direct sunlight: Do not expose the plant to direct sunlight; give it with bright indirect light.
Salts buildup: Occasionally, flush out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage hole.
Pests
Common pests of Soleirolia soleirolii are aphids, whiteflies and spider mites which are common in dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to minimize spread to other plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's instructions.
- Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Keep the plant well pruned to depress the pests populations.
- Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together to increase humidity.
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