Soleirolia soleirolii aka Baby's Tears
Taxonomy
Soleirolia soleirolii, also known as baby's tears or angel's tears, is a plant in the nettle family. It has slender, rooting stems with tiny rounded leaves that are shaped like beans. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region, particularly Western islands like Sardinia and Corsica. While it may be considered a weed in its natural habitat, gardeners often use it for its mat-like appearance in various compositions. Baby's tears come in various colors, including bright green, white, gold, yellow, and variegated. During late spring and early summer, it produces small creamy white flowers. This plant is easy to care for and is safe for cats and dogs.
Common names
Baby's Tears, Mind Your Own Business, Corsican CarpetHow to care for Baby's Tears
Difficulty
With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Baby's Tears, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.
Soil
Baby's Tears loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Baby's Tears prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Toxicity
Baby's Tears is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.
Humidity
The Baby's Tears does not demand additional humidity levels. Water is mostly absorbed by the roots of plants, rather than their leaves, and the best way to provide humidity to your plants is through watering the soil.
Fertilizer
Once the Baby's Tears has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Region of origin
Baby's Tears’s native range is northern Mediterranean.
Flower
Yes, if you provide your Baby's Tears with adequate sunlight and water, you can expect it to bloom.
More info:
Wikipedia
