Babys tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) is a mat-forming tropical perennial with myriad tiny leaves. Often confused as a type of moss, it comes from the nettle family. What makes babys tears special is its dense, delicate mat of fine round or bean-shaped leaves on short, fleshy stems. Lower-light conditions, a warmer climate, and rich, moist soil will enable this plant to thrive. Babys tears plants are easy to grow for beginners, but they require regular attention to look their best.
With its trailing stems and lush green foliage the baby’s tears plant brings elegance and charm to any indoor or outdoor space. Fortunately, propagating these delightful plants is a breeze. By following a few easy steps, you can multiply your baby’s tears collection and share the beauty with friends and family.
Why Propagate Baby’s Tears?
Propagating baby’s tears allows you to:
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Expand your garden quickly without spending more,
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Replace aging or leggy plants with fresh new ones
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Share baby’s tears with fellow gardeners.
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Enjoy the satisfaction of growing new plants from your own.
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Create decorative arrangements like hanging baskets.
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Fill in new garden beds or blank spaces.
How to Propagate Baby’s Tears
Propagating baby’s tears is simple since they root easily from cuttings. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Gather Your Supplies
You’ll need:
- A healthy parent plant
- Clean, sharp scissors or snips
- Small pots with drainage holes
- Well-draining potting mix
- Water mist bottle
- Plastic bags or humidity dome
Take Cuttings
- Cut a 2-3 inch long stem just below a leaf node.
- Remove lower leaves, keeping a few near the top.
- Make a fresh cut at the base to expose the node.
Dip in Rooting Hormone (Optional)
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder/gel to encourage root growth.
Stick in Soil and Water
- Poke a hole in moist potting mix with a pencil.
- Insert the stem to bury the lower node.
- Gently firm soil and water well.
Increase Humidity
- Place cutting pots in a plastic bag or under a humidity dome.
Provide Bright Indirect Light
- Set pots in a spot with bright filtered light to support growth.
Caring for New Cuttings
While waiting for roots, caring for the cuttings properly is key:
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Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy.
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Mist leaves daily to maintain high humidity.
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Watch for new growth as a sign of rooting.
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Remove humidity dome once plants are established.
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Transplant into larger containers after a good root system develops.
Troubleshooting Propagation Problems
If your cuttings fail to root, try these tips:
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Take fresh, tender cuttings from new growth. Old wood often dies.
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Use a sterile, sharp blade for clean cuts that won’t get infected.
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Improve drainage by mixing perlite into potting soil.
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Avoid overwatering since it leads to rotting.
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Provide warmth and humidity for the best rooting environment.
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Be patient, as some plants root slower than others.
Alternative Propagation Methods
Beyond stem cuttings, baby’s tears can also propagate by:
Division
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Carefully divide mature plants at the root ball into smaller sections.
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Replant divisions in containers filled with fresh potting mix.
Runners
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Allow horizontal stems to creep along soil, putting down roots.
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Cut rooted sections and transplant.
Seed
- Collect and sow seeds in trays indoors. Transplant seedlings later.
Enjoy an Abundance of Baby’s Tears!
With proper care, your propagated baby’s tears cuttings will flourish into full-sized, trailing plants. Their fast, easy propagation means you can fill hanging baskets, windowsill pots, terrariums and more with their graceful charm.
Propagation allows you to create identical clones of favorite baby’s tears varieties. And sharing cuttings with other gardeners is an easy, affordable way to spread the beauty. Soon you’ll have a lush carpet in your garden and endless baby’s tears plants to enjoy or give as gifts!
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Common Problems With Baby’s Tears
Babys tears are an easy plant to grow and care for—once you understand their needs. Your biggest considerations with this plant are making sure the plant gets sufficient water and humidity.
Soil
A rich soil amended with humus, compost, or manure is sufficient for babys tears plants. It will also help to regulate the moisture level for plants. Commercial potting soil is suitable for growing baby tears as a houseplant or in a container garden.
How To Easily Propagate Pilea Depressa (Baby Tears)
FAQ
How to get baby tears to spread?
What is the easiest method of plant propagation?
How do you propagate baby’s tears?
Here’s how you can propagate your Baby’s Tears plant: Use sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears and cut 3-4 inch stem pieces below a leaf node. Remove the bottom leaves, leaving a few of them at the top. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone (optional, but speeds rooting).
What is a baby’s tears plant?
If yes, let us introduce you to the fascinating world of Soleirolia soleirolii, more commonly known as the “Baby’s Tears Plant.” This evergreen perennial herb is native to the Mediterranean and has become a popular houseplant because it’s quite easy to take care of and it stays quite small, so you can put it almost anywhere.
How do I keep my baby tears plant happy?
If you’re looking for a bright spot to keep your Baby Tears plant happy, look for an area with filtered indirect light. Direct sunlight can be too harsh and scorch their sensitive leaves, so placing it near a north-facing window gives it the right (weaker) sunlight exposure.
How do you care for baby’s tears?
Common diseases to watch out for in Baby’s Tears Plants are root rot from overwatering, leaf spot disease, and powdery mildew. To prevent root rot, make sure not to overwater your plant, and always check that the top inch or so of soil is dry before watering again.