There is something that makes this ground-hugging plant with diminutive leaves irresistible when you're shopping for indoor greenery. Baby's tears, Soleirolia soleirolii, is a very compact ground cover plant native to Corsica and Sardinia. The plant has a long history in ornamental horticulture. It was used as a ground cover in conservatories in the Victorian period and has long been a favorite in terraria. The tiny leaves are variably heart- to kidney-shaped, bright green and glossy. There is also a golden variety that is
sometimes available. A small pot of baby's tears on the windowsill above the kitchen sink is a cheerful companion. Its growth will slowly creep over the pot's edge and trail daintily. Eventually it will even need a haircut. It is easy to grow as gifts for friends if you pay attention to its needs.

Tips for Growing Baby's Tears
What are the light requirements for baby's tears? Bright, indirect light is best, the kind that it would get from sun through a sheer curtain. It can easily be burned by direct sun in summer, but can tolerate morning sun in winter. Baby's tears also does very well under artificial light.

How much water do they need? Baby's tears needs to be kept evenly moist, but not soggy. If the plant ever dries out it will be unsightly until new growth replaces the damaged foliage. Be sure the pot has good drainage and check frequently with your finger to determine when the soil is just beginning to dry.

Do they have any special temperature requirements? Don't expose baby's tears to temperatures below 45ºF in winter or above 75ºF in summer. It is best to keep it out of drafts from doors or heat vents.

Do baby's tears need much humidity? Yes, they need to be kept in a humid location such as above the kitchen sink or in a bathroom. A pebble tray can be used to raise the surrounding humidity. Mist them daily in summer and every other day in winter.

How much fertilizer do they require? They rarely need to be fed. If you just feel it is needed, use a balanced water-soluble fertilizer such as Bachman's Excel Gro™ at half strength about once a month in the summer and less often in spring and fall. Don't feed baby's tears in the winter.

What type of soil do they prefer? Use a good peat-based potting soil such as Exceloam.

When should I repot my baby's tears? They are usually repotted in the spring, but you can do it any time that the plant has outgrown its pot. Trim the excess growth from the edges of the pot, divide the root mass and repot the pieces in separate pots. Wait a day before watering. Baby's tears multiply quickly so you can have a gift to give away very soon.

Will they need any grooming? They need to be trimmed when the growth that spills over the pot's edge gets long enough to be a problem. Otherwise, they require very little except to keep their humidity high with enough good light to grow.

How are they propagated? They are propagated by division as described above for repotting. You can divide one well-grown pot into several pieces to start new ones if you want to have some to share. If you don't want to divide it, you can also just trim the root ball and repot the plant in the same container with some fresh soil around it.

Troubleshooting Problems with Baby's Tears
Why do the leaf edges look bleached or burned? The plant is showing signs of sunscald. Move it to a shadier place or into the filtered light of a sheer curtain.

There are patches of leaves turning yellow and then dying. What's wrong? The roots are rotting from being kept too wet. While baby's tears does not ever want to dry out, it cannot stand to be waterlogged. Check the drainage holes in the pot and be sure they are not clogged. (Baby tears have very fine roots that can quickly fill the drainage holes.) Be sure that water is not standing in the saucer after you have watered the plant. Always check the soil before you water to gauge when it has begun to dry.

Why is my plant wilting? It isn't dry. The air around it is too dry and/or too hot. Keep it below 75ºF and mist it more often.

What are the small bugs flying around my baby's tears when I touch it? If they are light-colored they are whiteflies. Use an insecticide labeled for whiteflies. Follow the directions and try it on a small area first to be sure that it won't damage the leaves. If the soil is kept too moist, you may also have problems with small, dark flying insects called fungus gnats. They can be eliminated by keeping the soil a little drier.

In winter the leaves on the baby's tears turn black. Why? The plant is being kept too cold. It can get very cold close to the window glass in winter. Move it back or to a warmer place elsewhere.

There are rusty marks on the leaves of my baby's tears. What can be the cause? That is the kind of damage caused by using leafshine products. The baby's tears foliage is easily damaged by them. If you feel it is dusty or otherwise needs perking up, give it a gentle shower in the sink. Be sure to drain it thoroughly when you are finished.

What are the strange little greenish things growing between the leaves? Those are the flowers of baby's tears. They are not what you would normally think a flower looks like, but that is what they are.

Recommended Products
Bachman's Quality Plants                        
Excel Gro™ Water-Soluble Fertilizer
Exceloam Potting Soil                            
Containers and Saucers

Additional Bachman's Information
General Care for Indoor Plants                                    
Potting Indoor Plants
Propagation of Indoor Plants            
Signs of Trouble with Indoor Plants
Watering Basics for Indoor Plants            
Indoor Insect and Disease Problems

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