The evergreen Baby’s Tears (bot. *Soleirolia soleirolii*), with its cute, moss-like mounded shape, is a total classic in the world of houseplants. But here’s a fun fact most people don’t know: this easy-going little herb is actually a member of the Urticaceae family—yep, it’s a distant relative of the stinging nettle! The best part? It’s incredibly easy to propagate.
How do I propagate my Baby’s Tears?
When it comes to making more plants, you’ve basically got two main options. You can either divide the plant or take cuttings. Both methods will give you new plants that are genetically identical to the original. Division is the “quick and easy” route, while growing from cuttings takes a little more time and patience.
Propagation by Division
The simplest way to multiply your Baby’s Tears is by dividing the plant you already have. Just gently pull the root ball apart with your fingers. If the roots are feeling a bit stubborn, don’t worry—just use a clean knife to slice the ball into two or three sections.
Once you’ve got your pieces, pot them up individually in some good-quality potting soil or garden soil. If you want to get fancy, you can mix in a little sand or fine gravel to help with drainage, or add a handful of compost for a nutrient boost. Give your new plants a good drink of water to help them settle in.
The Essentials at a Glance:
- Only use healthy plants for propagation.
- You can do this year-round, technically.
- The ideal time is spring or early summer.
- Substrate: Standard potting soil or garden soil.
- Optional: Mix in a little sand or fine gravel for aeration.
- Optional: Add a bit of compost for extra nutrients.
Propagation via Cuttings
Growing Baby’s Tears from cuttings isn’t hard at all, though it does require a bit more “plant parent” attention. You’ll want to make sure you’re picking healthy stems with plenty of leaves. These usually root quite well at normal room temperature.
Step-by-Step Cuttings:
- Pick out strong, healthy stems with lots of foliage.
- Snip them to about 2 to 2.5 inches long.
- Strip off the bottom leaves.
- Poke the stems about an inch deep into some seed-starting mix.
- Water them gently.
- Pro tip: Cover the pot with some clear plastic wrap to create a mini-greenhouse.
- Place them in a bright, warm spot, but keep them out of direct sunlight.
- Keep the soil consistently moist and lift the plastic occasionally to let in fresh air.
Quick Tip: The easiest way to do this? Divide your Baby’s Tears when you’re already planning to repot it—it’s basically zero extra work!
