Easy Tropical Safe for pets

Baby's Tears

Soleirolia soleirolii

A small creeping plant with tiny round leaves forming a dense, plush green cushion, ideal for terrariums.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 3 days
Light

Medium light
Humidity

60–80 %
Temperature

10–22 °C

How to care for your Baby's Tears

Everything you need to keep your Baby's Tears healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Baby's tears is a small creeping perennial native to Mediterranean islands (Corsica, Sardinia, Balearics). Its threadlike, interlacing stems bear tiny, round, tender green leaves that form a dense, plush green carpet resembling lush moss. It excels in terrariums, plant compositions, and as ground cover in large plant pots. It loves coolness and humidity and makes a perfect plant for well-lit bathrooms.

Watering your Baby's Tears

Every 3 days

Keep the substrate constantly moist but not waterlogged. Water from below by placing the pot in a saucer of water for a few minutes for uniform absorption. Baby's tears does not tolerate drought.

How to know it needs water

Substrate beginning to dry at the surface
Tiny leaves wilting and drooping
Plant carpet losing its plush appearance

How much light a Baby's Tears needs

Medium light

Moderate to bright indirect light. Tolerates partial shade well. Avoid prolonged direct sun which dries out and scorches the tiny leaves.

Direct sun tolerated: 0 to 1 h a day
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, North-west

Humidity and misting

60–80 %

60–80% Mist frequently to maintain high humidity around the delicate foliage. Baby's tears thrives in humid atmospheres such as well-lit bathrooms.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 30 days

Fertilize once a month from April to September. Baby's tears has low fertilizer requirements and excess can burn its delicate stems. Use a low-dose fertilizer.

Recommended feed: Liquid fertilizer for foliage plants, very dilute (quarter dose). · 2-1-2

Repotting your Baby's Tears

Every 12 months

Divide the clump and replant in light, humus-rich compost. Choose a shallow but wide pot — a bowl or dish-type container. Baby's tears naturally spreads and forms a dense plant carpet.

When: Spring (March–April)
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, sphagnum moss, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Plant overflowing widely from the pot
Root mat very dense
Growth slowing in the centre of the clump

Pruning your Baby's Tears

When the plant overflows too much from the pot or to restore a regular shape. Trim trailing stems with scissors to maintain a rounded shape. Cut portions can be replanted directly to create new clumps.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 4 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 2 in the growing season.

Active growth · Days between waterings

Good to know

Baby's tears is native to Corsica and Sardinia, where it naturally carpets moist rocks and shaded undergrowth near streams.
It is so invasive outdoors in mild climates that it is considered an invasive species in some parts of the world.

Frequently asked questions about the Baby's Tears

How do you care for a Baby's Tears?

Water it every 3 days. Give it medium light. Ideal humidity: 60–80 %. Ideal temperature: 10–22 °C. Keep the substrate constantly moist but not waterlogged. Water from below by placing the pot in a saucer of water for a few minutes for uniform absorption. Baby's tears does not tolerate drought.

How often should you water a Baby's Tears?

Every 3 days Keep the substrate constantly moist but not waterlogged. Water from below by placing the pot in a saucer of water for a few minutes for uniform absorption. Baby's tears does not tolerate drought. How to know it needs water : Substrate beginning to dry at the surface ; Tiny leaves wilting and drooping ; Plant carpet losing its plush appearance.

How much light does a Baby's Tears need?

Medium light Moderate to bright indirect light. Tolerates partial shade well. Avoid prolonged direct sun which dries out and scorches the tiny leaves. 0 to 1 h a day

Is the Baby's Tears toxic to cats and dogs?

No, the Baby's Tears is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.

Why are my Baby's Tears leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Baby's Tears?

Repot every 12 months, ideally in spring (march–april). Divide the clump and replant in light, humus-rich compost. Choose a shallow but wide pot — a bowl or dish-type container. Baby's tears naturally spreads and forms a dense plant carpet.