Soleirolia soleirolii - Baby's tears

This moss is an adorable addition to your home, suitable as a terrarium plant as well as a houseplant or in your garden, where it is hardy in most of the UK! Native to southern Europe, it is used to drier weather so make sure not to overwater in cooler parts of the year, and ensure it has free-draining soil. This tactile, verdant plant will reward your care with its lovely, vibrant foliage and will brighten up terrariums, sideboards and gardens alike.

Scientific Name
Soleirolia soleirolii (Soleirol's plant, Soleirol's species)

This plant used to more commonly be known as Helxine soleirolii but was reclassified to the current name in 1965.

Common Name
Angel's Tears, Baby's Tears, Corsican Carpet, Irish Moss, Japanese Moss, Mind-Your-Own-Business, Peace-in-the-Home, Pollyanna Vine

Origin
Native to southern Europe and the western Mediterranean, especially Italy, Corsica and Sardinia

Light
Bright, indirect sun is best; this plant can handle some weak sun but prefers to stay away from harsher rays.

Water
This moss likes its soil to be consistently moist but won't like sitting in a puddle. Watering every few days using the bottom-up method is the best way to promote this as a houseplant. In a terrarium, this is mostly taken care of by the closed environment, but in both cases make sure the foliage doesn't sit soggy as this can promote rot.

Humidity
This plant loves humidity, hence its happiness in a terrarium; if keeping as a houseplant, use a humidity tray to help it. Make sure it's nowhere near an operating radiator.

Soil
Plant in well-draining, moisture retentive soil. A mix designed for ferns, with added coir and sand, will work well here. Repot every few years in Spring as the plant grows

Food
Feed every four waters in spring and summer; reduce to every six in autumn and winter.

Temperature
This plant is comfortable in temperatures between 5-25°C- make sure it doesn't drop below 5°C in winter. If you're keeping it outdoors, it will grow as an evergreen and is fine down to -10°C, as long as it isn't somewhere too soggy.

Pet-safe
Yes, but too much nibbling won't be good for pets, small humans or the plant!

Sprouts Top Tips
This plant is a little different to many other houseplants; as a moss, it likes to be consistently moist but is not too fussy on the soil or location. High humidity will help keep the moisture levels ideal for this plants, so our top tip is to put this in a terrarium, where it will look great, complement other foliage, and be happy with the level of moisture!

If growing outdoors, be careful where you plant it as this species has been known to spread quite quickly!