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Baby's Tears

Plant care guide

How to care for Baby's Tears

Soleirolia soleirolii

Care level: Needs extra care

Baby's tears forms a soft, cushiony mound of tiny bright green leaves that spills over the edge of its pot like moss. It loves moisture and humidity, making it a lovely terrarium or bathroom plant.

Also known as: Baby's Tears, Baby Tears, Mind Your Own Business, Angel's Tears, Corsican Curse, Irish Moss, Helxine, Soleirolia

Just arrived? Your first week at home

  1. Unbox right away; this plant dries out quickly in transit.
  2. Check the soil immediately and water if it feels dry at all.
  3. Place it in medium, indirect light, such as a few feet from an east or north window.
  4. Leave it in its nursery pot for at least two weeks.
  5. Some brown patches after shipping are common; snip them out and new growth will fill in.
  6. Keep it well away from heat vents, radiators, and drafty spots, which dry it out fast.

Every plant is covered by our 30-day plant health guarantee. If your plant arrived damaged or isn't doing well, email a few photos to support@rootandreachbotanicals.com and we'll help you troubleshoot or make it right.

Light

Medium to bright, indirect light works best, such as near a north or east window. Avoid direct afternoon sun, which scorches the tiny leaves. Very low light makes it thin and leggy.

Water

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; never let it dry out completely. Check every couple of days and water when the surface starts to feel dry, often 2-3 times a week. Watering from the bottom works well. Brown, crispy patches mean it dried out; black, mushy patches mean it sat too wet or the air around it is stagnant.

Humidity

It needs high humidity, ideally 60 percent or more. A humidifier, a pebble tray, a terrarium, or a bright bathroom will help it thrive.

Temperature

It prefers cooler conditions, around 55 to 75 F. Hot, dry rooms are hard on it, so keep it away from heaters.

Soil & repotting

Use a moisture-retentive potting mix with some perlite for drainage. It has shallow roots, so a wide, shallow pot works well. Repot or divide in spring when it fills its pot.

Feeding

Feed monthly in spring and summer with a quarter- to half-strength balanced liquid fertilizer. Skip feeding in winter.

Troubleshooting common problems

  • Brown, crispy patchesthe soil dried out or the air is too dry; water more consistently and raise humidity.
  • Black, mushy patchesoverwatering or poor air flow; let the surface dry slightly and improve circulation.
  • Thin, stretched growthtoo little light; move it brighter, out of direct sun.
  • Wilting in a warm roomheat stress; move it somewhere cooler.
  • Fungus gnatssoil is constantly soggy at the surface; use sticky traps and bottom-water.

Tips to help it thrive

  • It is easy to divide: tease off a clump with roots and pot it up to make a new plant.
  • Give it a haircut with scissors to remove brown spots and keep it neat.
  • It makes a beautiful living ground cover in terrariums or around the base of larger potted plants.

Pet safety

Baby's Tears isn't specifically named in the ASPCA's plant database, and it isn't known to be toxic. As with any houseplant, keep it out of reach of pets that like to chew.

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