There are numerous names for the perennial herb Soleirolia soleirolii. It goes by the name “Baby’s tears” most frequently, although other names for it include “Angel’s tears,” “Irish moss,” “Bread and cheese,” “Corsican curse,” “Bits and pieces,” and “Paddy’s wig.” The wide range of folk names can be very perplexing. Soleirolia soleirolii is not moss, a vine, or otherwise cursed, despite this amusing moniker.
This perennial plant is a member of the Urticaceae family, also referred to as the nettle family. Its lush green hue and low-growing form, which gives it a mossy, mat-like appearance, are valued attributes. It looks fantastic in multi-flower indoor arrangements such as terrariums, vivariums, hanging pots, bottle gardens, and fairy gardens.
You can even grow it on less typical substrates, including driftwood. The plant has several stems with kidney-shaped, bright green leaves. Baby’s Tears is a particularly popular home plant because of how adaptable it is. It can be challenging to establish an ideal growing environment for it. However, if you meet this dense, creeping plant’s humidity and air circulation requirements, it can be rather minimal maintenance.
Succulents or baby tears plants?
I recently purchased a plant that the nursery employee informed me was known as “baby’s tears.” It had beautiful little trailing tendrils all over the pot and was growing in a clump of tiny, spherical, green leaves that almost resembled leafy moss.
Bright sunshine, plenty of water, daily misting (it didn’t stay long enough for the monthly fertilizing! ), etc., were all part of the care instructions I followed, but the plant simply dried up and perished after a couple of weeks. Was the care advice accurate, and was the plant actually a baby’s tears plant? If so, what exactly do you believe went wrong?
ANSWER: There are two varieties of “baby’s tears” that are frequently sold in nurseries in Southern California: Pilea depressa and Helxine soleiroli. Pilea depressa is a similar plant to the one you probably purchased, but it has larger, more succulent leaves and appears to belong on a lawn.
Because H. soleiroli is so challenging to keep indoors, unless you keep it in a terrarium where it will receive maximum humidity, its tears will make you cry uncontrollably. But P. depressa should flourish in your house with moderate lighting, frequent mistings, and just enough water to keep the soil damp.
I would want to put a plant in my very hot and sunny breakfast area, but everything I’ve tried there has burned up and died. I attempted Boston fern, pothos, and philodendron, but just one of them survived. Any recommendations?
A donkey’s tail (Sedum morganianum) comes to mind as one hanging cactus and succulent plant that would thrive in those conditions. Asparagus sprengerii, a more graceful foliage plant, is what I’d recommend if you want to stick with it. This hardy houseplant, which is neither a fern nor an asparagus, but rather something in between, has long, slender, bright green stems that resemble ferns and feathery, needle-like foliage that grows best in hot, sunny environments. Its name comes from the way that the young fronds resemble little asparagus spears when they first sprout. Water when the soil becomes dry, and don’t worry too much if a few needles fall sometimes.
I recently visited a friend and was extremely taken by a vibrant red plant in her kitchen. It featured tiny, dark red, heart-shaped leaves with pink midribs and veins. This plant has never been at a nursery before, and neither I nor my friend can tell you what it is named. Do you?
A: I’m very certain you’re referring to a bloodleaf plant (Irisine herstii). It’s the only plant I can think of with vivid red foliage. I’ve had a few throughout the years, and despite frequently pinching them back, they’ve typically become straggly. But I’ve managed to keep some alive for weeks on end, so I’d advise you to borrow a stem cutting from your friend, root it in water, and then pot it up so you can enjoy it as much as you can.
A: The answer to your first query is undoubtedly yes, but not necessarily for your second. Banana trees (Musa spp.) are actually extremely simple to cultivate indoors; all they need is plenty of humidity, bright, filtered light, water to keep the soil moist, and monthly feedings with a decent liquid houseplant food.
A banana tree is most gratifying as a cosmetic addition to a lanai room or an atrium because of its distinctively tropical appearance. If you can provide the ideal environment, your banana tree will eventually produce fruit.
Rapp is a freelance writer from Los Angeles who has authored multiple best-selling books about indoor gardening under the pen name “Mr. Mother Earth.”
How are infant tears in succulents cared for?
Plants for Baby’s Tears prefer bright, indirect light, but not direct sunlight. A Baby Tear’s plant needs its soil to be moist but never drenched. The roots and stems perish if the soil is left too damp. When a Baby’s Tears plant is actively developing in the spring and summer, feed it every two weeks.
Do infant tears add up?
Beautiful little trailing plant Pilea depressa ‘Baby Tears’ is guaranteed to capture the hearts of many devoted plant parents.
This small vine, which should not be confused with the well-known Baby Tears Plant (Soleirolia soleirolii), has a dense canopy of bright green leaves with feminine ruffled edges.
This lovely Pilea’s little stature and easygoing personality make it a great choice for terrariums and houses alike.
Which plant produces infant tears?
Baby’s tears plant (Soleirolia soleirolii), which has leaves so small they like luxuriant moss, covers the ground in fairy gardens, terrariums, and even beneath lanky houseplants and bonsai trees. The baby tears plant is a “weeping plant that pours spiffily over the sides of hanging baskets or pots,” as it is when grown on its own.
Although not difficult, baby tears plant care necessitates attention to watering since if dehydrated, this baby will act out by rapidly wilting. Remember that it is not the same plant as Hemianthus callitrichoides or Pilea depressa, both of which are sometimes referred to as “baby’s tears.”
Why does the baby tears plant die?
A two-gallon sprinkler container with an attached nozzle can be used to combine sulfate of ammonia and water, which can then be combined and sprayed on the leaves to destroy baby’s tears. Sulfate of ammonia, which is sold in twenty-pound bags, is a cheap (costs around $3), effective source of nitrogen.
What height do baby tears reach?
Baby’s tear features small, rounded, green leaves on squishy stems that resemble moss. Although this plant lacks a truly vivid bloom, it is mostly valued for its low growth habit—it is 6 inches (15 cm) tall by 6 inches (15 cm) wide—and beautifully green foliage. The baby’s tear’s flowers are typically quite understated.
This member of the Urticaceae family prefers soil that is just moderately damp, which makes it ideal for terrariums and other similar environments. A small dramatic pile of tightly packed apple green leaves can be made by pinching off the plant’s spreading, creeping shape, which also looks good draped decoratively over the side of a container. The baby’s tear plant performs well as a ground cover as well because of its propensity to spread.
Baby tear plants can they grow in water?
A dense yet delicate trailing mat is created by the multitude of tiny leaves that baby’s tears plants grow on their creeping plants. Watch how quickly this plant adjusts to growing in water by pinching off a cluster of stems, either with or without roots. Baby’s tears plants produce a lot of leaves along their stems, therefore leaves that are drenched frequently may start to rot. Once the roots are well-formed and supplying the plant with moisture, you can let the water level drop and change the water every week to eliminate any floating leaves.
Do infant tears do harm?
In the correct climate, the low, lime-green perennial known as baby tears or angel’s tears is a perfect choice for a low-traffic ground cover. If you’re not careful, it can spread easily and become invasive. It can adapt to a variety of soil and lighting conditions and requires little maintenance as long as it is well-watered.
How often should I moisturize my infant’s tears?
Baby’s Tears’ low growth habit and dense mat of delicate tiny leaves cover the ground like a carpet, making it easy to mistake it for moss from a distance. Despite appearing delicate, the plant is remarkably hardy. Baby’s tears spread out rapidly and are adorable when they hang over the edge of ornate containers like an old tea cup or tin. This plant is ideal for giving a terrarium the appearance of moss.
Planting Instructions
Start with some commercial potting soil of decent quality. These are typically cleaner, pest-free, and lighter in weight than topsoil. Many come with a mild starter fertilizer already mixed in.
Choose a container with a drainage hole or be ready to drill one if there isn’t one already.
Fill the planter with potting soil until it is 2 (5 cm) from the rim to prepare it. Take the plant out of the pot.
Either by hand or with a trowel, make a tiny hole in the ground somewhat bigger than the root ball. Place the plant in the hole and firmly pack earth around the roots, leaving the root ball exposed. When all the plants are in their pots, give them a good start by giving the soil a good soak. Put the plant in a regular sunny spot.
Every two years, repot the plant in the same container or one that is just a little bit bigger than the roots’ diameter.
Watering Instructions
prefers soil that is wet but well-drained. Use your finger to feel the soil’s moisture level. It’s time to water if the top 2-4 (5–10 cm) of the soil is dry or the plants are starting to wilt.
If at all possible, provide water at the soil level to prevent wetting the foliage. Until water is dripping from the pot’s base, irrigate the entire soil surface. This suggests that the ground is very damp.
Fertilizing Instructions
There are many different types of fertilizers, including granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic, and synthetic. Choose a product with a nutritional balance intended for leafy plants and decide which application technique is most appropriate for the circumstance.
It’s crucial to follow the instructions on the fertilizer box to decide how much and how frequently to feed plants because too much fertilizer can harm plants.
For container plants, slow-release fertilizers are an excellent, hassle-free option. Frequently, plants can receive the ideal level of nourishment for the entire season with just one application.
Pruning Instructions
Most plants grown in containers can be freely clipped to keep the proper size and shape. Maintaining trim foliage also keeps plants appearing orderly, promotes the growth of more side shoots and blooms, and lessens the need for the plant to establish a deep root system. Given that the roots are in a small area, this is significant.
Do succulents include Pilea depressa?
A little vine that is evergreen, pilea depressa. The sturdy pinkish stems bear the small, scalloped-edged, green, succulent leaves. This plant works well as a ground cover, hanging basket, terrarium, and fairy garden. The somewhat larger leaves and wavy edges of the P.depressa “baby tears” plant set it apart from the Baby Tears plant. Tiny Tears, on the other hand, is merely a scaled-down variation of the Pilea depressa plant. Frequent watering and some indirect sun are part of the maintenance.
How are Pilea baby tears propagated in water?
Being patient is essential since Pilea depressa propagation is fairly simple but can take a few weeks to a few months. Here is how to grow Pilea depressa in potting soil and water:
Pilea depressa propagation in water
Take a few-inch-long cutting with a few nodes and some leaves using a fresh pair of scissors. When you propagate a plant, new roots will begin to sprout from the node, which is where leaves and roots emerge from the main stem.
Place your Pilea depressa cutting in a container with lukewarm water, making sure at least one node is submerged and preferably many. Remove any leaves that are submerged in water carefully.
Place the jar in direct light that is bright. Once a week or so, top off the water as needed and completely change the water when it becomes dirty.
You can move the cutting to a permanent pot once the roots are a few inches long. When the roots are two to three inches long, I usually prefer to wait.
After putting it in its pot, water it thoroughly and take care of it like you would any other plant. Be aware that it can take some time for it to get used to its new situation.
The plant will not develop as quickly if you leave it submerged in water on a permanent basis.
Pilea depressa propagation in potting mix
The same fundamental procedure is followed when propagating in potting soil. Start by performing the identical first action as above. Here it is once more:
Put the Pilea depressa cutting in a pot with wet potting soil, being sure to bury at least one node and several if you can. None of the leaves should be buried.
As the roots grow, place the cutting in bright, indirect light and keep the potting soil moist but not soggy.
To further lock in the advantageous humidity, you can cover the top with a transparent plastic bag. Simply take a small portion of it off every day to allow in fresh air.
You might try testing your cutting by giving it a very light tug after about a month. If you encounter resistance, this means that roots have formed, and you can begin caring for the plant normally. If not, don’t worry; just keep working at it until a root system forms.
How should baby tears ground cover be cared for?
High humidity is necessary for the growth of creeping fig and baby’s tears. They are ideal for a terrarium because of this. Baby’s tears require continual soil moisture as well as daily water misting when planted indoors in pots. It will also assist to increase humidity if the pots are placed on a tray of gravel that is maintained damp. Baby’s tears require more water than a creeping fig. When the soil’s surface is dry, water it; throughout the winter, water less. In contrast to baby’s tears, creeping fig can withstand drought after it has established itself.