Baby's Tears

Baby's Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) is a fast growing, spreading groundcover with tiny green leaves that forms a low carpet about 10cm high and up to 1.5m across outdoors. It comes from Sardinia and Corsica and loves damp shade and humidity, which makes it a classic for fern gardens, terrariums and wet corners. Be warned that where it is happy, it spreads.

Why you'll love it

• A soft green carpet. Tiny leaves knit into a low, even mat that covers bare soil quickly.
• Loves damp shade. Deep shade, humidity and wet ground that defeat most plants suit it, including boggy places and swampy corners.
• A good houseplant. It is popular indoors and in terrariums, ferneries and vivariums, where its delicate leaves can be seen up close.
• A crack filler. It grows in cracks in walls, between rocks and in rockeries.
• A lawn alternative for shade. Where nobody walks, it makes a soft green carpet instead of lawn.

Where it works best

Shady and boggy corners. Plant 25cm apart beneath trees, along damp walls or beside ponds. It fills in quickly in moist soil.

Walls, rockeries and stonework. It roots from the stems, so it spreads into crevices and softens hard edges.

Indoors and terrariums. Grow it in a pot or terrarium in a cool, bright spot out of direct afternoon sun, and keep it moist.

Growing Baby's Tears in Australia

Position and climate. Cool, shady positions where the air stays humid, from part shade to deep shade. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It is usually not frost tolerant: in a cold spot it may die back in winter and regrow in spring, and in a sheltered position it may well survive.

Soil. Moist, humus rich soil suits it, and it will grow in wet or boggy ground. Mulch after planting to hold the moisture.

Water and feed. Mulch and water well until established, usually around 12 weeks. After that, keep it moist and water often in dry periods. Fertilise in spring to encourage plenty of new growth.

Pruning. Trim to shape and reduce its size whenever you need to. Because it roots from the stems, trimmings can be replanted elsewhere.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Baby's Tears as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes suit a small patch or a terrarium, while the 140mm pots cover bigger areas sooner. Plant promptly, water in well and keep the soil moist.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Groundcover plants
• Indoor plants
• Plants for full shade
• The best groundcovers for shade

Common questions

Will it take over?

It spreads quickly where it is happy and roots along its stems, so edge it with a path, stones or a pot if you want to keep it in bounds.

Can I use it instead of lawn?

Only where it will not be walked on. It makes a soft lawn alternative in shade, but it does not take foot traffic.

Does it need frost protection?

Usually, yes. It may die back in a cold spot over winter and regrow in spring, and a sheltered position gives it a better chance.