Baby's Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii): Delicate Ground Cover for Shade and Containers

Baby's tears, also called angel's tears or mind-your-own-business, is a tiny, creeping perennial that forms a dense, moss-like carpet of minute, rounded leaves. Native to the western Mediterranean, it is beloved for softening edges, filling gaps in shade gardens, and spilling from containers and terrariums.

Botanical Profile

• Family: Urticaceae (nettle family)
• Genus: Soleirolia
• Species: soleirolii
• Synonyms: Helxine soleirolii, Soleirolia corsica, Parietaria soleirolii

Growth and Appearance

Forms a prostrate mat 1–3 inches tall, spreading indefinitely by rooting stems. Leaves are tiny (⅛ inch), round, bright green. Inconspicuous flowers. Evergreen in mild climates; may die back in cold winters but returns from roots.

Culture

Part to full shade. Consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil. Never let dry out. Hardy in USDA zones 9–11; grown as annual or houseplant elsewhere. High humidity preferred. Easy to propagate by division or stem cuttings.

Uses

Ground cover in shade gardens, between stepping stones, in rock gardens, containers, hanging baskets, terrariums, fairy gardens. Not tolerant of foot traffic.