Having a small but terrible plant in your home has its pros and cons. The baby’s tears plant is one of the fast-growing but low-maintenance perennial houseplants. It is perfect for people who are always in front of their desks. It gives their space a splash of color to break the boringness in an office setup without taking up too much space.
Of course, it is imperative to know how to care for this plant. If you choose to grow the baby’s tears, make sure to place it in an area with bright indirect light. Avoid placing it directly into the sunlight as it may lead to scorching. It also loves moisture, may it be in the soil or air.
Provide the baby’s tears a moderate amount of water but make sure that it has good drainage. Waterlogging may result in root rot. Moreover, it prefers humid environments with 70% relative humidity. This makes it a great bathroom plant too.
The Soleirolia soleirolii normally bears light green foliage with small leaves. Due to its stature, it is often planted in small to medium pots as an accent indoors. Furthermore, some plant it in hanging pots to let it trail down.
Now that you know the basics about the baby’s tears, here are some other varieties that might suit your space better.
Soleirolia soleirolii ‘Aurea’
The aurea variety is famously known as the Mind-your-own-business plant. Some of its other names are peace-in-the-home, bits and pieces, Corsican creeper, Corsican plant, paddy’s wig, pollyanna vine, Irish moss, and mother of thousands. This variety came from Italy, Corsica, and Sardinia.
It is a more compact version of the baby’s tears and it bears leaves that are a combination of gold and green. Its leaves’ green shade tends to be brighter than that of the S. soleirolii.
In terms of planting location, it is best to grow this variety in a cool room with relatively high humidity. Also, it prefers dappled light to avoid placing it too near the window and doors. Also, it thrives in USDA zone 10b and can withstand up to zone 8b with 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Due to the colors of its leaves, it can easily add some light into a dark and dull room. Also, it does not require big or wide pots since it does not grow as wide as the others. It is also relatively shorter than the rest. Aside from being a houseplant, the aurea variety can also be a great ground cover. It also goes well when planted with the alba variety.
If you are planning to propagate the aurea, the best way to do it is through division.
Soleirolia soleirolii ‘Alba’
The alba variety is known to have that silvery-green foliage. It is also a fast-growing perennial. Some people also call it the mind-your-own-business plant. Due to its leaf color, it is often paired with the greener varieties of the S. soleirolii. Furthermore, this baby’s tears serves as a screen or cover for the dead trees or unappealing walls and structures. It can climb the said structures and cover them with this soft carpet-like appearance.
Same as the Aurea, it prefers dappled light in a cold and moist room. On the other hand, the alba variety grows taller and wider than the aurea variety. Having said that, it can be grown in pots but in bigger sizes. It needs more space because this variety is fast-growers and creeper.
Soleirolia soleirolii ‘Variegata’
The variegata is formerly known as S. soleirolii ‘Argentea’. What makes this different from the others is its tiny light green foliage with stipples of white. During its flowering stage, it bears tiny pink flowers. Its blooms are often seen during the summer months. Moreover, it is a good climbing ornamental as it has the ability to crawl onto structures like rocks and walls. This growth habit is the reason why it is often utilized in indoor green walls and vertical gardens. It is also relatively compact with a maximum height of 5 cm and a spread of 2 meters.
In terms of the growing environment, it has no special needs. You may follow the grow and care guide for the baby’s tears. Although, loss of leaves is normal during cold weather, especially during the winter season.
Soleirolia soleirolii ‘Silver Queen’
This variety is the most famous groundcover among the baby’s tears variety. Its selling point is its green foliage that looks like it has a silvery sheen depending on how the light hits the leaves. Aside from its beautiful appearance, it is also sought after due to its growth habit. It tends to grow low and wide, making it a great groundcover.
Other than being a groundcover, this variety is often cultivated to cover up any unappealing parts of the landscape, such as walls, fences, and dead trees. Moreover, some use it as a moss alternative, especially in Japanese gardens.
This vigorous baby’s tears variety is active during spring and summer but when winter comes, it tends to shed its leaves and has slower growth despite its cold hardiness.
Soleirolia soleirolii ‘Golden Queen’
The golden queen is a great variety to lighten up a room, same as the alba. It is characterized by its light green small leaves with gold margins. Similar to most varieties, they also love the shaded and humid areas.
Although, this variety tends to be more versatile and quick to bounce back when there are dry spells. If you are the type of person who forgets to water their plants often, this variety is the way to go. The golden queen can easily adapt and establish whenever there are environmental problems.
This baby’s tears’ variety is often seen in shaded parts of the landscape as a groundcover. Some also use this as an alternative to moss in their Japanese gardens, letting this plant grow onto rocks and walls.
Tips on Choosing the Best Variety
Now that you know the different options in choosing the right baby’s tears plant for you, there are some things you need to know before buying one.
The first thing you must consider is the location. Ask yourself, where would you put the plant once you got it? This will help determine the environmental factors that would affect your plant. For example, if you have space near a window wherein direct sunlight seeps through, it is best to choose a variety that is not that sensitive to light.
Secondly, determine how much time you can allot to caring for your baby’s tears. Some varieties tend to grow faster than others. That means you would need to prune it more regularly. Also, some are sensitive to too much moisture and cause root rot easily. On the other hand, some are more versatile and adaptable. These are the things you need to consider with the time you have for them.
Lastly, know and understand your plant. In the article, Baby’s Tears Grow and Care, there is a detailed guide on how you can tend to your plant and ensure its optimum health. Also, take the time to read more and research your houseplant. By doing so, you are equipped with the information needed when problems or changes with your plant arise.
Keep in mind that observing your plant goes hand in hand with this knowledge acquired. You must have a keen eye for detail and changes as your plant grows. For example, the browning of leaves and leaf drops can be caused by different environmental factors.
You can fix that problem by altering the environment, which you can do so with the knowledge you have. Although, when in doubt, feel free to ask a professional horticulturist or plant pathologist.
FAQs
What are the different types of Soleirolia soleirolii?
The different types of Soleirolia soleirolii, commonly known as baby tears, include the standard green variety, as well as variegated forms with white or yellow markings.
What plants are similar to baby tears?
Plants similar to baby tears in appearance and growth habit include Corsican mint (Mentha requienii), Irish moss (Sagina subulata), and mosses like Hypnum and Bryum species. These plants typically have small, lush green leaves and form dense mats.
How do I identify my baby tears plant?
To identify your baby tears plant, look for small, round leaves arranged in clusters along creeping stems. The leaves are typically bright green and have a soft, almost velvety texture. Baby tears plants also tend to form dense mats or carpets when grown in suitable conditions, making them distinctive in appearance.
