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.
The delicate trailing stems and lush green leaves of baby’s tears plants create a stunning cascading effect in hanging baskets and containers But these attractive houseplants can fall victim to fungal rot if their needs aren’t met.
By understanding what causes rot and implementing a few simple solutions you can keep your baby’s tears thriving for years. This guide covers common problems preventative care, and tips to revive plants suffering from rot.
What Causes Rot in Baby’s Tears?
Several issues can set the stage for harmful rot to take hold in baby’s tears:
Overwatering
Excess moisture is the leading cause of rot in baby’s tears. These plants prefer consistently evenly moist, but not soggy soil. When soil stays wet for too long, fungi and bacteria can attack the roots.
Poor Drainage
Without proper drainage, water readily accumulates in the soil and pot. Pots without holes and dense potting mixes prevent excess moisture from escaping.
Low Humidity
While they enjoy humid conditions, excess moisture settling on leaves encourages fungal and bacterial growth. Insufficient air circulation also raises humidity levels around the foliage.
Low Light
When light is too dim, the plant grows more sparsely with weaker growth. This makes it more vulnerable to rot issues.
High Temperatures
Heat combined with moisture stresses plants and makes them more prone to disease. Ideal temps for baby’s tears are 60-75°F (16-24°C).
Preventing Rot in Baby’s Tears
The best defense against rot is providing your baby’s tears with proper care to avoid stress and excess moisture. Here are some key prevention tips:
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Allow soil to partially dry out between waterings. Check the top few inches for dryness.
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Ensure pots have drainage holes and use a well-aerated potting mix. Add perlite to improve drainage.
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Water at the base of the plant, keeping moisture off leaves.
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Give plants bright, filtered light from an east or west window. Avoid direct hot sun.
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Keep indoor temperatures between 60-75°F, avoiding drafts and rapid temperature shifts.
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Prune off any dead or dying stems which can harbor rot. Sterilize shears before each cut.
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Improve air flow by spacing plants and using fans. Avoid overcrowding.
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Limit high humidity by misting plants sparingly and watering in morning so leaves dry.
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Apply balanced fertilizer at 1/4-1/2 strength every 2-4 weeks in spring through fall.
Troubleshooting Rot in Baby’s Tears
If you suspect your plant is suffering from rot, take action right away to contain the issue. Look for these signs:
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Black, mushy roots or lower stems
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Yellow, wilted leaves or leaf drop
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Foul odor from the soil
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White fungal growth on leaves or in soil
Isolate and Prune Affected Areas
If only part of the plant shows rot symptoms, use sterilized, sharp scissors to cut off all affected stems and leaves. Remove the plant from others to prevent spreading.
Treat with a Fungicide
For fungal rot, apply a commercial fungicide like neem oil or copper-based products. Always follow label directions.
Repot in Fresh Soil
Gently remove from the old potting mix and rinse off as much of the roots as possible. Repot in new sterile soilless mix, ensuring excellent drainage.
Reduce Watering Frequency
Allow the plant to dry out more between waterings to discourage fungal growth. Avoid getting water on leaves.
Increase Air Circulation
Place a small fan nearby to keep air moving around the plant as it recovers. Open a window or move outdoors if weather permits.
With attentive care and prompt treatment, even badly affected baby’s tears can bounce back from fungal rot. Be patient, as it takes time for new healthy growth to fill in after pruning damage.
Common Baby’s Tears Problems and Solutions
Beyond rot, baby’s tears may show signs of other issues. Here are tips to identify and treat the most frequent problems:
Yellow Leaves
Overwatering and poor drainage often cause yellow foliage. Allow soil to dry out more before watering. Repot in a mix with added perlite if needed.
Leaf Drop
Low humidity and underwatering can lead to leaf drop. Mist leaves daily and keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Leggy Growth
Insufficient light results in weak, leggy growth. Move to a brighter location or supplement with a grow light.
Pale Leaves
Chlorotic leaves indicate a nutrient deficiency. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season.
Insects
Check for common pests like aphids, mealybugs, or spider mites. Wipe leaves with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Enjoy a Flourishing Baby’s Tears Display
While prone to fungal issues if overwatered, baby’s tears are generally easy care plants given their preferred growing conditions. A well-draining soil mix, moderate humidity, adequate bright light, and proper moisture will help prevent frustrating rot problems.
Pay close attention to your plant’s needs, and you’ll be rewarded with a thriving cascading mound of lush green foliage. Your baby’s tears can quickly fill containers, hanging baskets, and terrarium displays with beautiful trailing stems.
How To Encourage More Blooms
Babys tears rarely flower when kept indoors or cultivated. The best chance of plentiful blooms is to plant them outdoors as an evergreen cover or filler plant for rock gardens. With plenty of irrigation, partial sun, and adequate shade, they should bloom easily.
What Does Baby’s Tears Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Baby’s tear plants produce tiny, creamy white, fragrant, otherwise insignificant flowers. These petal-less blossoms are less than an inch in size.
Baby Tears Plant Care (How Not To Kill Your Baby Tears Plant)
FAQ
How do you save a baby plant from root rot?
How do you prevent plant rot?
How do you save a dying baby tears plant?
What’s wrong with my baby’s tears plant?
Why is my baby’s tears plant rotting?
The baby’s tears plant can experience root rot if they are overwatered. Keep the soil just moist enough to ensure proper watering, but not too moist to waterlog the roots. Botrytis and southern blight are also common when baby’s tears plant growing conditions are off, and foliage sits in moisture for too long.
Can baby tears grow in potting soil?
A rich soil amended with humus, compost, or manure is sufficient for baby’s 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. Baby’s tears plants are thirsty plants that never like to dry out.
Should baby’s tears plants be soggy?
However, baby’s tears plants should never be soggy. The first rule of baby’s tear plant care is to give it a moist soil environment but the level of water must not go overboard. Overly damp soil will cause the root rot on your baby’s tears plant. Usually watering every 5 to 7 days during the growing season is enough.
How do you fertilize baby tears?
A balanced plant fertilizer will keep the foliage of baby’s tears plants bright green and dense. Give the plant liquid fertilizer through spring and summer every two weeks. The liquid form is easier to apply than spike inserts or granular fertilizer when no bare soil is visible.