Baby's Tears Soleirolia soleirolii
ABOUT
The plant commonly known as baby tears is a lush, mat-forming greenery often admired for its delicate and dainty appearance. The foliage is comprised of small, round to slightly ovate, soft, light green leaves. These leaves cluster closely together, creating a carpet-like effect that is dense and gentle to the touch. Each leaf is attached to a thin, slender stem, which intertwines and weaves together, forming a dense mat over the soil. When it comes to its stems and leaves, baby tears present a vibrant and fresh emerald green hue, offering a sense of vitality that can brighten any space. The overall visual impression of baby tears is one of a serene, fairy-tale-like ground cover or a cascading waterfall of green when allowed to spill over the edge of a container. Despite its fragile name and delicate look, baby tears are known for being quite hardy and fast-growing under the right conditions.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Urticaceae
Synonyms
Baby's Tears, Angel's Tears, Mind-your-own-business, Peace-in-the-home, Corsican Creeper, Corsican Curse, Irish Moss, Paddy's Wig
Common names
Helxine soleirolii, Parietaria soleirolii, Soleirolia adscendens.
ToxicityTo humans
Baby's tears is generally considered non-toxic to humans. Ingesting parts of the plant typically does not result in poisoning or adverse health effects. Thus, contact or accidental ingestion of Baby's tears does not warrant concern for toxicity in humans.
To pets
Baby's tears is also non-toxic to pets. It is considered safe for cats, dogs, and other domestic animals if they come into contact with or ingest the plant. Therefore, there are unlikely to be any symptoms of poisoning or toxic consequences associated with pets ingesting any part of the Baby's tears plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Height
0.5 inches (1.27 cm)
Spread
1 feet (30.48 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Low Maintenance: Baby's tears do not require extensive care, making it an ideal plant for beginners.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its lush, green, moss-like foliage, Baby's tears can add a touch of greenery and vitality to any space.
- Versatility in Landscaping: It can be used in a variety of settings such as ground cover, rock gardens, terrariums, and as an underplanting in shaded areas.
- Fast Growing: Baby's tears grow quickly, filling in the space and creating a dense mat of leaves that can help suppress weeds.
- Soil Moisture Conservation: The dense growth can help retain soil moisture by reducing evaporation.
- Indoor and Outdoor Use: It is suitable for both indoor pots and outdoor gardens, making it a versatile choice for gardeners and decorators.
- Companion Planting: Baby's tears work well when planted with other shade-loving plants, enhancing the overall beauty of garden beds.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- The common name baby's tears can be used in miniature fairy gardens or terrariums to create a lush, whimsical landscape due to its dense and mat-forming growth habit.
- Baby's tears serve as a living mulch, covering the soil with a thick carpet that helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds in garden beds.
- It can be used in hanging baskets to provide a trailing green effect, softening the edges and adding texture to the overall display.
- Due to its delicate and intricate appearance, baby's tears are often used in model railroading or dioramas to simulate realistic ground cover or tiny shrubbery.
- This plant can be utilized in floral arrangements or wreaths as a base greenery to add volume and a touch of vibrant green.
- Creative cuisine presentations might use baby's tears as an edible garnish, though it is not commonly recognized for its flavor.
- Baby's tears can be planted around the bases of larger plants in pots to add visual interest and create a multi-layered effect.
- In areas with suitable climates, baby's tears can be used as ground cover between stepping stones, providing a soft cushion for feet and preventing erosion.
- Aquarists sometimes use baby's tears in aquariums to provide a natural and aesthetically pleasing environment for fish, though its use underwater may be limited to terrarium-like setups rather than fully submerged.
- As an art material, dried baby's tears can be incorporated into craft projects, such as collage work or handmade paper for texture and color.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Baby's Tears plant can be used in Feng Shui to bring a sense of peace and soft energy into a home. Its delicate and lush growth is seen as a symbol of abundance and prosperity. Placing Baby's Tears in the wealth corner (southeast) or in the family area (east) of the home is believed to support financial growth and enhance harmony within the family.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityBaby's Tears is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Peace and Tranquility: Baby's Tears promote a sense of calm and peacefulness, making them a popular choice for serene spaces like bedrooms or meditation areas.
- Healing: With their delicate and lush appearance, Baby's Tears are often associated with emotional healing and the soothing of hurt feelings.
- Innocence: The small, round leaves and the common name itself suggest purity and the innocence of a newborn, symbolizing a fresh start or new beginnings.
- Compassion: The plant's gentle appearance can represent tenderness and the nurturing care given to a loved one.
- Eternal Love: Its evergreen nature and the tendency to spread quickly symbolize everlasting love and the desire for the loved one to be happy and healthy.
WaterBaby's tears, the common name for Soleirolia soleirolii, prefer consistently moist soil and should be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This usually means watering approximately once or twice a week, depending on the humidity and temperature of your environment. It is important to water this plant gently, making sure to evenly moisten the soil without causing waterlogging. Each watering session might require about 8-16 ounces of water for smaller pots, but you should adjust the amount depending on the size of the pot and the plant’s needs. Over-watering can lead to root rot, so ensure proper drainage.
LightBaby's tears thrive in bright, indirect light and should be placed in a location where this light condition can be maintained throughout the day. Direct sunlight can scorch the delicate leaves, so avoid placing them in spots where they get harsh afternoon sun. A north or east-facing window is often ideal, offering plenty of light without the intense exposure of direct sun.
TemperatureBaby's tears grow best in temperatures between 60-75°F, making them perfect for most indoor settings. They can tolerate a minimum temperature of about 50°F, but growth may slow down if the temperature gets much lower. To ensure healthy growth and vitality, try to maintain an environment within this ideal temperature range and avoid sudden temperature changes which could stress the plant.
PruningPruning baby's tears is usually done to maintain its size and shape or to remove any yellowing or dead leaves, encouraging a full and lush appearance. Careful trimming with scissors or pinching with your fingers can be done as needed, typically every few weeks or months depending on the plant's growth rate. The best time to prune is in the spring and summer months when the plant is actively growing, allowing it to recover quickly from the pruning.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBaby's Tears thrive in moist, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of about 6.0 to 7.0. A soil mix consisting of peat, perlite, and potting soil in equal parts serves as an ideal medium for this delicate plant.
RepottingBaby's Tears should be repotted once a year to replenish its soil and accommodate its quick growth, preferably during spring or early summer when the plant is at its most vigorous.
Humidity & MistingBaby's Tears favor high humidity levels, consistently above 50%. It thrives in a humid environment which can be achieved by regular misting or placing the plant in a pebble tray with water.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Baby's Tears in bright, indirect light and maintain high humidity indoors.
Outdoor
Grow Baby's Tears in shade to partial shade, protected from harsh sun.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycleSoleirolia soleirolii, commonly known as baby's tears, begins its life cycle when seeds germinate in damp, shady conditions. The seedlings quickly develop into a dense, mat-forming perennial with tiny, round green leaves on fleshy stems. Through vegetative reproduction, baby's tears aggressively spread both by rooting at the nodes as stems creep along the soil surface and by new shoots forming from rhizomes under the soil. This stage of aggressive growth can occur throughout the growing season in favorable conditions of moisture and partial shade. Flowering in baby's tears is inconspicuous, with tiny flowers emerging in the leaf axils that may eventually give rise to seeds if pollinated, although reproduction is primarily vegetative. Over time, without proper care, the center of the mats may die out, leading to the need for rejuvenation or propagation to maintain the plant's aesthetic appeal.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The most popular method of propagating Baby's Tears, or Soleirolia soleirolii, involves division. This process is generally best performed in spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate by division, gently lift the plant from its pot and use your hands or a clean, sharp knife to separate the plant into smaller sections, each with its own roots and foliage. Care should be taken to ensure each new section has adequate roots to establish itself when replanted. After division, the separated plants should be potted into individual containers with fresh potting soil and watered thoroughly. These new plants will typically establish quickly and begin to show new growth soon after being repotted.
