Baby's Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) | Shade Ground Cover

Baby's Tears

1 Mulflat

$49.90

1/5

Baby's Tears

Soleirolia soleirolii

A fast-spreading, shade-loving ground cover forming a lush, moss-like carpet of tiny, bright green, succulent leaves.

$49.90

24-hour Money-back Guarantee

Free Delivery Over $199

+1 650-241-8858 (SMS ok)

Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Soleirolia soleirolii, commonly known as Baby's Tears, is a charming, fast-growing evergreen ground cover prized for its dense, lush mat of tiny, bright green, rounded leaves and its cascading, trailing habit. This tender perennial forms a delicate, moss-like carpet of minute, succulent foliage on thin, fleshy, creeping stems that root as they spread, indefinitely colonizing available space. In summer, it produces tiny, inconspicuous, creamy-white flowers, but the plant is grown primarily for its exquisite texture and vibrant green color. Thriving in consistently moist, humid conditions and partial to full shade, it is an outstanding choice for terrariums, hanging baskets, containers, between stepping stones, as a lawn alternative in shady areas, and as a soft, living carpet in woodland and rock gardens.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage & Flowers: Dense mat of tiny, rounded, bright green, succulent leaves on thin, creeping stems; tiny, inconspicuous, creamy-white flowers in summer .
Mature Height: 2-4 inches
Mature Spread: Indefinite (spreads by creeping stems)
Growth Rate: Fast
Hardiness Zones: USDA 4-9 (dormant/semi-evergreen; may die back in cold winters but often resprouts); Sunset 4-24, H1, H2
Light Requirement: Partial shade to full shade (tolerates some sun in cool climates, but avoid hot afternoon sun)
Core Benefits: Dense moss-like mat of tiny bright green leaves, fast-spreading ground cover, thrives in shade and moist conditions, easy to propagate, versatile.
Best Uses: Terrariums, hanging baskets, containers, between stepping stones, lawn alternative (shade), ground cover, rock gardens, woodland gardens.

Q: How much sun does Baby's Tears need?
A: It thrives in partial to full shade. In cool, coastal climates, it can tolerate some morning sun, but it must be protected from hot afternoon sun, which will scorch the delicate foliage. It is an excellent choice for deeply shaded areas where grass won't grow.

Q: How much water does it need?
A: It requires consistently moist (but not soggy) soil. It is not drought-tolerant and will wilt quickly if allowed to dry out. Water regularly, especially in containers and hanging baskets. High humidity is also beneficial.

Q: Is it cold hardy?
A: It is semi-evergreen and can be damaged by hard frosts. In colder zones (USDA 4-6), the top growth may die back in winter, but the plant will often resprout from the roots in spring if protected with mulch. In colder areas, it is best grown in containers and brought indoors for winter.

Q: Can it be grown indoors?
A: Yes, it is an excellent houseplant for terrariums, hanging baskets, or as a tabletop plant. Provide bright, indirect light and high humidity. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. It is also a great choice for bottle gardens and vivariums.

Q: Is it invasive?
A: In ideal conditions (moist, shaded gardens), it can spread vigorously by creeping stems, potentially crowding out small, delicate plants. However, it is easily controlled by pulling or trimming back wayward stems and is not generally considered aggressively invasive in most garden settings.

Q: Can it tolerate foot traffic?
A: It can tolerate very light, occasional foot traffic, making it suitable for planting between stepping stones or as a soft, living path in deeply shaded areas. It is not durable enough for heavy, repeated use.