Soleirolia

( so - ley - ROH - lee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Known as Baby's Tears or Angel's Tears, this monotypic genus includes perennial mat-forming groundcover plants that need full sun to partial shade and regular to ample water to perform well in the landscape. It is native to the western Mediterranean region and tops out at between 2 and 4 inches tall, spreading by creeping stems indefinitely. Use these plants in the garden as a low-growing shady groundcover, between pavers, in rock gardens to soften features, as a moss substitute, or in containers to cascade over the sides. The genus Soleirolia is a member of the plant family Urticaceae and includes just one species, Soleirolia soleirolii. Plants in this species are related to those in Pilea (Chinese Money Plant) and Urtica (Nettle). They grow well in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Caring for Soleirolia

Soleirolia, or Baby's Tears, should be planted in full sun to partial shade; ideally, these flowers like to get between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day for best performance and flowering. They appreciate afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak to avoid burning foliage, especially in hot or dry climates. Plant 10 inches apart for groundcover. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Soleirolia plants appreciate consistently moist soils, needing frequent irrigation during hot or dry periods to remain healthy. Underwatering will cause mats to dry out easily. Ensure that these plants are not left in soggy conditions, however, as this will quickly cause issues with root rot.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. To prune, trim back dead, brown, or sprawling runners in early spring using sharp, clean shears. Overgrown or patchy mats can be taken down to about an inch above the soil level to encourage a flush of new growth. These plants can be divided, but do not necessarily need to be for their ongoing health. If clumps become patchy and develop dead centers, which can happen after a few years in the ground, dig them up and divide them. For instructions on how to divide Soleirolia plants, see the propagation section below.

Caring for Soleirolia in Containers
Soleirolia plants are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers, where they spill over sides and create a mounding effect. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened, but soil should be kept generally moist. Soleirolia plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot. At repotting time, plants can also be divided, which should occur every 2 or 3 years to prevent pots from becoming overcrowded. For instructions on how to successfully divide Soleirolia plants, see the Propagation section below.

Propagation

The easiest way to propagate Soleirolia, or Baby's Tears, is through division of existing plants. To propagate your Baby's Tears, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Soleirolia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.