mind your own business plant zone

Plant Detail Show Menu

Soleirolia soleirolii

Common name(s):.

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

Previously known as:

• Helxine soleirolii

Angel tears or baby tears is a low-growing ground cover resembling moss that honors Joseph Francois Soleirol, who acquired a large collection of specimens of Corsican plants.  The common name Baby's Tears is derived from the tiny, rounded leaves.  It is in the nettle family.

This creeping perennial ground cover is evergreen in zones 10 above and will die back but rejuvenate in zone 9.   While it can spread up to 6' wide in the garden, as a houseplant, it won't go far.  Not having contact with the soil will limit its spread and it can be pruned as needed.  In warm winter areas, it can be somewhat weedy and difficult to eradicate as any stem pieces left can regrow,

It may be used as a terrarium plant, but over time will crowd out the other terrarium plants.

Ideal conditions include moderate temperatures, high humidity and bright, indirect lighting.  Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. It prefers well-drained fertile moist soils. A wide, shallow pot creates an ideal location for this plant.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:   No serious insect or disease issues.  Aphids, whiteflies, and scale are possible problems.  Once established outdoors, the plant may prove to be difficult to remove.  Even after removing the plant, many small stems are missed and the plant can regenerate.

• 'Aurea' Golden leaves.
• 'Golden Queen' Yellowish leaf margins.
• 'Silver Queen' Silvery-gray foliage.
• 'Variegata' Silvery green variegated foliage.

• Attributes: Genus: Soleirolia Species: soleirolii Family: Urticaceae Uses (Ethnobotany): Ground cover Life Cycle: Perennial Recommended Propagation Strategy: Division Country Or Region Of Origin: W. Mediterranean, Italy, Sardinia and Corsica. Play Value: Easy to Grow Shade Textural Dimensions: Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in. Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
• Whole Plant Traits: Plant Type: Ground Cover Houseplant Perennial Habit/Form: Cascading Climbing Creeping Dense Horizontal Prostrate Spreading Growth Rate: Rapid Maintenance: High Texture: Fine
• Cultural Conditions: Light: Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours) Soil Texture: Clay High Organic Matter Loam (Silt) Sand Soil pH: Acid (<6.0) Soil Drainage: Good Drainage Moist Available Space To Plant: 3 feet-6 feet NC Region: Coastal USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
• Fruit: Fruit Type: Achene Fruit Length: < 1 inch Fruit Width: < 1 inch Fruit Description: Ovoid and shiny fruits are enclosed by calyx.
• Flowers: Flower Color: White Flower Inflorescence: Insignificant Flower Bloom Time: Spring Summer Flower Size: < 1 inch Flower Description: The tiny, creamy white flowers in the leaf axils that lack petals and are insignificant.
• Leaves: Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow Green Leaf Feel: Fleshy Leaf Value To Gardener: Showy Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Arrangement: Alternate Leaf Shape: Oblong Leaf Margin: Entire Hairs Present: No Leaf Length: < 1 inch Leaf Width: < 1 inch Leaf Description: The shiny, lime green leaves are tiny, only 1/4" diameter. They form a dense ground cover as they spread.
• Stem: Stem Is Aromatic: No Stem Surface: Hairy (pubescent) Stem Description: The many branched, fleshy stems root into the ground as the plant spreads. Spreading in a prostrate form, they have stinging hairs.
• Landscape: Landscape Location: Container Hanging Baskets Patio Rock Wall Vertical Spaces Landscape Theme: Rock Garden Shade Garden Design Feature: Border Mass Planting Resistance To Challenges: Foot Traffic Heavy Shade Humidity Problems: Weedy

• Become a member
• Find a plant
• Plants for places
• Trials & awards
• Plantsmanship

Soleirolia soleirolii

mind-your-own-business

S. soleirolii is a wide-creeping evergreen perennial with slender, rooting, pink or green stems bearing tiny rounded leaves and minute pinkish-white flowers in summer

Other common names

Join the RHS today and save 25%

Buy this plant

• Plant nurseries 19 suppliers

Ultimate height

Time to ultimate height, ultimate spread, growing conditions, colour & scent.

• Partial shade

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing or South–facing

Drought resistance

Hardiness hardiness ratings.

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

• H1a : under glass all year (>15C)
• H1b : can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
• H1c : can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
• H2 : tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
• H3 : hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
• H4 : hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
• H5 : hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
• H6 : hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
• H7 : hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Soleirolia is a fast-growing, mat-forming perennial with creeping, rooting stems bearing small, rounded leaves and inconspicuous pinkish flowers

Advertise here

How to grow

Cultivation.

Grow under glass or as a house-plant in a loam-based compost with added grit in full light with shade from hot sun or in partial shade. Water freely in summer but keep just moist in winter. Can be grown outdoors in any soil but has the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well and also becomes deciduous in frost prone areas; suitable for use as bedding, including hanging baskets

Propagation

Propagate by seed or division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

• City and courtyard gardens
• Wildlife gardens
• Mediterranean climate plants
• Low Maintenance
• Banks and slopes
• Underplanting of roses and shrubs
• Ground cover

No pruning required

Generally pest-free

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.

GardenReviews

Mind-your-own-business: taming the tenacious plant.

We independently research, review, and recommend the best products. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

The weed with a bad rep: Mind-Your-Own-Business. This once popular Victorian plant has racked up a long list of notorious names over the centuries, ranging from Paddy’s Wig to Corsican Creeper due to its instantly recognisable and relentless thick mat.

In this guide, we will discuss the many faces of this disruptive weed, its characteristics, why it can lead to problems, and the various ways to control it in your garden.

Characteristics

Mind-Your-Own-Business ( soleirolia soleirolii ) is a creeping perennial native of Corsica and Sardinia, distinguishable by its branching stems and dense foliage.

It’s a versatile plant of the nettle family, typically used in crazy paving cracks and sculptured over chicken mesh, preferring shade to sun. However, it’s famed for taking hold of soil, creeping through crevices in stone walls and damp spots.

But the plant’s kryptonite is the cold; as a frost-tender weed, it’s sometimes knocked back in severe winters. The issue is, it often recovers the following year.

Why is it a Problem?

Many gardeners love to encourage Mind-Your-Own-Business between cracks in patios, but it can quickly spread to borders, lawns and overstep boundaries. The thin, fleshy stems root as they slowly spread, making them difficult to control.

What’s more, grass clippings that contain stem sections may survive the composting process , causing the weed to further spread around the garden.

The Royal Horticultural Society recommends selecting the right cultivars, maintaining garden hygiene, and promoting natural predators as the first line of defence against the Mind-Your-Business plant.

Here are a few of my personal methods for controlling Mind-Your-Business:

• You should bury Mind-Your-Own-Business in mulch, or hoe it off repeatedly in dry weather, especially around garden borders. It may come back, but doing so should take the string out of its tail.
• In either April or September, remove lawn patches of mind-your-own-business with a trowel. You could also use a hand fork. After removal, re-establish the soil level and re-sow bare patches with grass seed. Another option is to lay a patch of turf taken from elsewhere in the garden.
• Where mind-your-own-business is widespread in lawns, lightly scarify several times during March and April and again during September to weaken it. Feed the lawn regularly to encourage turf vigour and density.

Weedkiller control options

If you’re really struggling to keep Mind-Your-Own-Business at bay with the above methods, your next option might involve using a Glyphosate-based weed killer, such as Roundup Fast Action . It should kill the plant and roots within a single application, but just use it with caution as it can also damage other plants.

How to Tell Mind-Your-Own-Business Apart from Other Plants

Mind-Your-Own-Business is often mistaken for other plants, such as Mazus reptans, a similar-looking creeping perennial native to Japan; and Lysimachia nummularia, also known as Moneywort or Creeping Jenny.

Mind-Your-Own-Business can be distinguished by its small, round leaves and its ability to root at the nodes as it spreads. The golden-leaved form, ‘Aurea’, is the most commonly sold. It bears tiny white flowers in summer, and it forms dense, slowly spreading mats of bright green foliage.

Propagation at Your Peril!

Mind-Your-Own-Business is easy to propagate by division or by taking stem cuttings. It can also be grown from seed, but it can take several years for the seedlings to reach maturity. When planting, be sure to choose a well-drained spot and keep the soil moist. It’s also a good idea to place a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture.

Best Uses in the Garden

Mind-Your-Own-Business is an excellent plant for rock gardens, walled gardens, and steep slopes. It can also be used as a ground cover in shady areas. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could train mind-your-own-business to climb on a trellis or arbor. The golden-leaved form, ‘Aurea’, is particularly attractive when trained as a climber.

Recommended for you

Popular Posts

Mind Your Own Business Plant (Soleirolia Soleirolii)

Soleirolia soleirolii, commonly known as the ‘mind your own business plant’ is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Urticaceae. It is native to rocky areas in the Mediterranean region, where it can be found growing in crevices and on rocks. The plant is cultivated as an ornamental houseplant for its attractive foliage and unique growth habit. This article will provide an overview of this fascinating species; including its physical characteristics, habitat requirements and cultural significance.

Identification

Identifying Mind Your Own Business Plant (Soleirolia soleirolii) is a task that requires careful observation. It is an evergreen perennial plant native to Europe and western Asia. The plant has small leaves with round, scalloped edges and grows in a low-lying rosette shape. Its flowers are small and white and appear in clusters on stems throughout the spring and summer months. Additionally, the plant has an underground rhizome structure which aids in its propagation.

It is important to note that Mind Your Own Business Plant can be confused with other plants due to its similarity in appearance. These include Baby’s Tears (Soleirolia baby’s tears), Corsican Creeper (Ranunculus corsicus), and the common houseplant known as Pilea peperomioides. To distinguish between these species, it is necessary to look closely at the characteristics of each plant; for example, the leaves of Soleirolia soleirolii have a distinct scalloped edge, while Ranunculus corsicus has a more jagged leaf that resembles a serrated knife edge. In addition, Mind Your Own Business Plant has distinctive white flowers that appear from late spring until early summer.

Planting Mind Your Own Business Plant

Due to its hardiness and attractive foliage, this plant has become popular among gardeners of all skill levels. Planting this species can be done in either full sun or partial shade, though it performs best in cool, moist locations. Before beginning, it is important to ensure the soil is well-draining and amended with organic matter such as compost or peat moss.

Once the ideal site has been determined, planting mind your own business should be done during the spring or summer months when the weather is warm and humid. The plants should be spaced 8-10 inches apart and placed shallowly in the ground so that only the very top of the rhizome remains exposed. If desired, a slow-release fertilizer can be applied at this time to encourage growth. To ensure proper moisture levels, mulch can also be added around each plant.

When caring for mind your own business plant, it is essential to provide sufficient water without over-saturating the soil. As with all plants, regular deadheading will help keep plants looking tidy and promote additional blooming. This species does not require much pruning but can benefit from light trimming if needed. With proper care and maintenance, these plants are sure to bring beauty to any garden for years to come.

How To Care For Mind Your Own Business Plant

Mind Your Own Business Plant requires careful attention to thrive in the home garden. Proper care includes appropriate temperature and light levels, adequate water supply, and regular fertilization.

Temperature is important for the health of Mind Your Own Business Plants. They prefer temperatures between 15-23 degrees Celsius. Any temperature lower than 10 degrees Celsius may cause the plant to suffer stress or even die. To help maintain an optimal temperature range, keeping the plant away from any direct drafts or air conditioning vents is recommended. Additionally, providing a humidity tray can help increase moisture in the air around the plant.

Light plays an important role in caring for these plants as well. The ideal spot would be one with bright indirect sunlight for about four hours each day. To ensure that your plant receives enough light but does not become scorched by excessive sun exposure, a windowsill or balcony might be ideal locations for it to grow properly.

Proper watering schedule is also essential for maintaining optimal health in this plant species. Watering should be done thoroughly when soil feels dry to touch; however, avoid over-watering which could lead to root rot and other issues due to excess moisture build-up in soil over time. Additionally, monthly fertilization during growing season can help support healthy leaf development and overall growth of your Mind Your Own Business Plant.

Benefits Of Mind Your Own Business Plant

Mind Your Own Business Plant has a compact, low-growing habit which creates dense mats of foliage with small, round leaves. This plant has a number of benefits that make it a desirable choice for landscaping or as a houseplant.

One of the main advantages of this plant is its ability to thrive in low-light environments. Its variegated leaves can tolerate lower light levels than most other plants, allowing it to be used in darker corners or areas of the home or garden. Additionally, Mind Your Own Business Plant requires little maintenance and will usually only require occasional watering or trimming.

The attractive foliage of this plant also makes it a great choice for adding texture and colour to any space. Its small leaves can be used as ground cover in flower beds or added to containers for an instant splash of colour. Furthermore, its evergreen nature means that it will remain green year-round, providing consistent visual interest even during winter months when other plants may not be blooming.

Mind Your Own Business Plant is an excellent option for creating lush and beautiful landscaping with minimal effort required from the gardener. Its low-maintenance needs, hardiness in low light environments and attractive foliage make it a great choice for any home garden or indoor space.

Pests And Diseases

Despite being relatively easy to care for, this plant can be vulnerable to various pests and diseases. It is important for gardeners and horticulturists to be aware of these potential problems in order to protect their plants.

The most common pest associated with Mind Your Own Business Plant is mealybugs . These small insects have white, waxy bodies and feed on the sap of the plant. This can result in discolouration or yellowing of leaves and stunted growth. To prevent an infestation, it is important to inspect the plant regularly and take action if any mealybugs are present.

In addition to pests, Mind Your Own Business Plant may also be susceptible to fungal diseases such as root rot or powdery mildew. Symptoms include spots or patches on the leaves, wilting foliage, or discoloured stems. It is essential that gardeners provide adequate air circulation around the plant by avoiding overwatering and overcrowding with other plants. Additionally, they should always use clean tools when pruning or repotting the plant in order to avoid spreading disease spores from one plant to another.

Propagation

Propagating Mind Your Own Business Plant is an effective way to expand and diversify their presence in the garden. This can be accomplished by either sowing seeds or dividing the existing plants. The process of sowing seeds requires loose soil and evenly spaced holes, which should be filled with the seeds before being lightly covered with soil. In order to propagate Mind Your Own Business Plants through division, one must carefully dig up the plant in question and divide it into two sections so that each contains a healthy root system. These sections should then be replanted in separate pots that are large enough for them to spread their roots freely.

When propagating Mind Your Own Business Plant, it is important to choose a location that receives partial shade during the day and is protected from extreme weather conditions such as strong winds, heavy rain, and frost. It is also essential to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged; this can be achieved by using a light mulch around the base of the plant once it has been replanted. Additionally, feeding with a balanced liquid fertilizer every three weeks will help ensure optimal growth.

Mind Your Own Business Plant propagation offers many advantages such as cost savings as well as having continuous blooms throughout growing season. It also ensures gardeners have more plants to enjoy without having to purchase new ones regularly or wait for them to seed themselves in their gardens. While propagating takes some time and effort, the results can provide long-term beauty and enjoyment within a garden space.

Uses Of Mind Your Own Business Plant

This species can be used in various ways in both indoor and outdoor spaces, thanks to its low-maintenance care requirements.

The first use of this species is as a trailing groundcover. Its creeping stems spread along the soil surface, creating an attractive carpet of foliage in planters or between paving stones. The plant also has a high tolerance for drought and moderate temperatures, making it suitable for planting in sunny areas with good drainage. It can even be used as a lawn alternative since it does not require mowing or weeding to maintain its appearance.

Another use of Soleirolia soleirolii is as part of a green wall or vertical garden. When planted in containers hung from walls, it can cover large surfaces with its trailing foliage, adding texture and colour to any space without taking up too much space. In addition, it requires very little irrigation compared to other plants making it ideal for locations where water conservation is important.

In addition to these uses, Mind Your Own Business plants are also popular houseplants that add beauty and texture indoors while requiring minimal maintenance. Their growth habit makes them ideal for hanging baskets or windowsills where they will cascade down elegantly over time. They do best in bright indirect light but will tolerate some shade if needed. Regular watering during their active growing season helps keep them looking their best year round.

Interesting Facts About Mind Your Own Business Plant

In addition to its many benefits, there are some interesting facts about this species that make it unique among other plants.

• Firstly, the Mind Your Own Business Plant is extremely tolerant of low light conditions and can thrive in dry soil. This makes it a great option for those seeking an easy-care houseplant or a container garden.
• Moreover, its shallow root structure allows it to be easily pulled up or replanted should the need arise.
• Furthermore, this species is able to self-propagate through stolons which grow along the surface of the soil and form new plants.
• This plant’s name comes from its ability to spread rapidly via underground runners.
• The dense growth of this species can choke out weeds and other plants in the garden making it very useful in landscaping projects.
• Additionally, its foliage produces a mild aroma when touched that many find pleasant and soothing.
• Finally, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, extracts from this plant have been used in traditional medicine for treating skin rashes and itchiness caused by insect bites or allergies.

The Mind Your Own Business Plant offers numerous advantages both aesthetically and medicinally making it an attractive choice for gardeners looking for a low maintenance species with multiple uses. Its tolerance of different environmental conditions makes it suitable for various settings; while its ability to self propagate ensures an abundant supply of new plants for future generations of gardeners to enjoy.

Harvesting Mind Your Own Business Plant

Harvesting Mind Your Own Business plant (Soleirolia soleirolii) is a relatively simple process. The first step is to choose which leaves or stems to cut from the plant, ensuring that at least one-third remains intact in order to promote continued growth. Care must be taken when removing the foliage, as the stems and leaves are quite fragile and easily damaged. With each cutting, it is important to use sharp scissors or pruning shears and make a clean cut just above a leaf node. After harvesting, the plants should be placed in indirect sunlight in an area with good air circulation until they are ready for replanting.

When selecting pots for replanting, it is best to use shallow ones with sufficient drainage holes. To ensure proper drainage of water, it is also recommended to add a layer of gravel at the bottom of the pot before adding soil. When planting, keep in mind that Mind Your Own Business plants prefer partial shade and moist soil conditions; therefore, avoid direct sun exposure and overwatering. For optimal growth, provide between 2-3 inches of organic compost or peat moss mixed into well-draining potting soil.

Once planted, Mind Your Own Business plants require minimal maintenance but should be monitored regularly for signs of disease or pests such as mealybugs or aphids. If any of these occur, apply safe insecticides as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the plant. Additionally, regular pruning will help encourage bushier growth and maintain a healthy looking plant overall. With proper care and attention, harvested Mind Your Own Business plants can thrive indoors or outdoors for many years to come.

Mind Your Own Business Plant (soleirolia soleirolii) is a hardy and low-maintenance houseplant that can thrive in a wide range of conditions. It is an attractive addition to any living space due to its lush foliage and dainty flowers. The plant can be found in garden centres and nurseries or online. When planting this species, it’s important to provide good drainage and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Proper care includes periodic trimming of the foliage and removal of dead leaves.

Propagation of Mind Your Own Business can be done by dividing the plant or taking stem cuttings. This species has many uses as an indoor ornamental, groundcover, or in terrariums.

Additionally, there are some interesting facts about Mind Your Business Plant such as its ability to form symbiotic relationships with fungi that help it absorb water from the air when soil moisture levels are low.

Finally, harvesting is possible if desired by cutting leaves or stems for use in floral arrangements or other projects. In conclusion, Mind your Own Business Plant is a great choice for any home or garden due to its ease of care and versatility as a houseplant, groundcover, or terrarium specimen.

Ash is a contributing author who has been writing about wildlife for as long as he can remember. He has a vast knowledge of many different types of animals, from the tiniest shrews to the great whales that live in the deepest oceans.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Indoor Fixtures
• Indoor Lighting
• Indoor Storage
• Garden Furniture
• Outdoor Fixtures
• Outdoor Lighting
• Outdoor Storage
• Christmas Decor
• Halloween Decor
• Easter Decor
• Thanksgiving Decor
• Bathroom Decor
• Bedroom Decor
• Dining Room Decor
• Kitchen Decor
• Living Room Decor
• Office Decor
• Spring Decor
• Summer Decor
• Winter Decor
• Cleaning & Organizing
• DIY (Do It Yourself)
• Pet Friendly Houseplants
• Fruit & Vegetables

Baby Tears Plant: A Comprehensive Care Guide For Your Soleirolia Soleirolii

Last Updated   March 27, 2023 By   Bella Zinti

If you are searching for a delicate yet easy-to-care-for plant to add to your indoor garden, look no further than the baby tears plant! These tiny, rich green leaves cascade over the sides of pots or terrariums, creating a stunning natural display. Known for their soft, velvety texture and delicate appearance, these plants are a favorite among plant lovers and collectors alike. Despite their delicate appearance, baby tears plants are surprisingly hardy and easy to care for, making them an excellent choice for beginners.

Whether you're looking to brighten up your home, office, or outdoor space, the quick-growing baby tears plant is a versatile and stunning addition to any collection. They are a perfect choice for hanging baskets, terrarium containers, mixed containers, and rock gardens. Below, we'll go through all you'll need to know to grow a lush green Baby's Tears plant, either cascading out of a hanging basket or spreading out as ground cover.

Botanical Name

Common Name

Mature Size

Sun Requirement

Hardiness Zone

Pet Friendly

Soleirolia soleirolii

Baby Tear Plant

2 to 4 inches tall, up to 12 inches wide

Indirect sunlight or partial shade

Moist, well-draining soil

9 to 11 (USDA)

What Is A Baby Tears Plant?

Baby's Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) is a quick-growing plant native to southern Europe. It is also called Irish Moss, Corsican Carpet Plant, and the Mind Your Own Business plant.

The small, round leaves are of a yellow-green to deep green color and generously cover their somewhat fleshy stems. Reaching only about 3 to 6 inches high, the stems branch out and grow into a dense mat of evergreen leaves. If cared for properly, you'll enjoy a burst of tiny white flowers periodically through the growing season.

The tiny leaves and dense growth habit of Baby Tears make it a popular choice for rock gardens, fairy gardens, and as a grass alternative. It's also a great terrarium plant!

In some areas of western Europe and California, this creeping plant has spread so prolifically that it is considered a common weed and is even labeled as an invasive plant! If you're growing your Baby's Tears plant outdoors, keep it in a confined space and monitor its spread.

Baby Tears Plant Care Requirements

Baby Tears plants require an abundance of bright, indirect light. It's better to have too little light than to put your Baby Tears plant in direct sun. Intense, direct light will cause the small leaves to scorch. If you are growing Baby's Tears indoors, place the pot in a north or east-facing window, or use sheer curtains to diffuse direct sunlight. If you see brown leaves, this likely means that your Baby Tears plant is receiving too much light.

The trickiest part of growing a Baby Tears houseplant is getting the soil moisture balance correct. The soil needs to be kept consistently moist but not soggy for your plant to thrive. Typically, this means watering your Baby's Tears plant once a week during the growing season. Always check the soil moisture with your finger prior to watering, and only use pots with a drainage hole. If you see yellowing lower leaves, this is a sign of overwatering.

Source: Pixabay

Temperature

The ideal temperature range for Baby's Tears plants is between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Although these are somewhat chilly temperatures, this small plant has been proven to tolerate normal household temperatures pretty well. Try to keep its pot in a cool location in the house, and keep it out of warm kitchens and steamy bathrooms.

When grown outdoors, remember that Baby Tears plants have no tolerance for frost and will very quickly be damaged or killed by cold overnight temperatures. If you live in a USDA zone where the nights dip below 35 degrees Fahrenheit, you must grow your Baby's Tears plant in a pot that can be brought indoors.

Baby's Tears plants grow best in an environment with 60% humidity. You will likely need to boost the humidity in your home, or at least in the air immediately around your plant. You can do this by misting the leaves with distilled water, running a small humidifier, or setting your plant's pot on a pebble tray.

It's important to use proper potting soil for your Baby's Tear plant so that you can achieve the moist-not-soggy soil that you need. It needs to drain well, hold on to moisture, and provide ample air circulation to prevent root rot. You can create your own well-drained soil by adding peat moss (for moisture retention) and perlite (for aeration) to a bag of commercial potting soil.

Fertilization

This fast-growing plant does best when you feed the potting mix every two weeks during the spring and early summer. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Never apply fertilizer when the soil is completely dry, or you might burn the roots.

Pot/ Planter

Baby's Tears plants require a pot that has good drainage, is at least 2-3 inches deep, and is filled with well-draining potting soil. A small and shallow pot may not provide enough space for the plant's roots to grow and may dry out too quickly, so it's best to choose a pot that is proportional to the size of the plant. Baby's Tears can also be planted in a terrarium or enclosed container with high humidity levels to promote healthy growth.

This is one of the fast-growing house plants, and you'll need to move it into a bigger pot size regularly! It likes to be slightly root bound, so only increase the pot by an inch in diameter. Carefully remove the plant from the old pot, loosen up the root ball, then replant it in a new pot. Fill the pot with a mixture of old and new potting mediums.

Propagation

Once your Baby's tears plant starts to overgrow or decline, it's time to repot and propagate. Baby's Tears plants are best propagated by division, and it's incredibly easy to do! Simply unpot your Baby's Tears, gently divide the root ball with your fingers, and repot in separate pots! Place a plastic bag over the top of the pot while the roots re-establish to create an environment with high humidity.

Source: Flickr

Common Problems With Baby's Tears Plant

Common pests.

Baby Tears plants are possible hosts for whiteflies, scale insects, and aphids. Treating each of these infestations is the same. Remove any insects or eggs you notice, then spray an insecticide or neem oil .

Common Diseases

Baby's Tears grow in consistently moist soil, and it's not uncommon for one round of overwatering to throw things off balance and invite various fungal diseases. These include botrytis, southern blight, powdery mildew, and root rot. To treat, prune away any damaged foliage or roots, repot your plant in fresh soil, and amend your watering schedule moving forward. You should also check that your plant is in a spot with good air circulation!

Is Baby's Tears Plant Pet Friendly?

Yes, the Baby Tears plant is non-toxic to both pets and humans.

What Is Dwarf Baby's Tears Plant?

Dwarf baby's tears and baby's tears are two different plant species with some similarities in appearance but notable differences in care requirements. Dwarf baby's tears have tiny, round leaves that grow close together, forming a dense carpet-like cover over surfaces. It is a popular choice for aquascaping due to its aesthetic appeal and ability to absorb excess water nutrients, helping maintain a healthy aquatic environment.

Does Baby's Tears Plant Flowers?

When grown outdoors in desirable locations, Baby's Tears plants produce small, insignificant flowers in late spring or early summer.

The Homey Space is proud to be reader-supported. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

About the author

Bella Zinti

Bella has a Bachelors degree in interior design, is a master gardener. She designs nourishing outdoor & indoor spaces guided by the practice of Feng Shui.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

A Guide To Growing Moss Rose

Dusty Miller Care 101: Turning Your Garden Into A Silver Wonderland

Campanula: A Ultimate Care Guide

Peperomia Obtusifolia: Baby Rubber Plant Care Guide

Watermelon Peperomia: A Ultimate Care Guide

Vinca Vine: A Ultimate Care Guide

Get Inspirations R ight To You Inbox

Join our mailing list and get inspired!

The nursery is open to visitors Mondays to Saturdays 9 am to 5 pm (closed Sundays) All online orders are currently being dispatched on Mondays,Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

• Habitat Replacement and Wildlife Ponds
• Planting Advice
• Testimonials
• Useful Links

Soleirolia Soleirolii (Mind-Your-Own-Business) for Ponds and Water Gardens

• Posted on June 17, 2018

Soleirolia Soleirolii (Mind-Your-Own-Business) for Pond and Water Gardens

Also often listed as Helxine Soleirolii , though mostly known under the common name Mind-Your-Own-Business. This very versatile, moisture-loving plant grows happy in sun, partial and/or full shade. Its many other names include: Baby Tears, Angels Tears, Irish Moss, Bread and Cheese, Friendship Plant, Pollyana Vine, Corsican Carpet, Polly Prim, Paddy’s Wig, Peace in the Home, Corsican Creeper, and  lastly Bits and Pieces.   

This very low-growing mat-forming plant creeps over and around every contour of rocks, stones and logs. It can even be found growing up walls, keeping any architecture under its thousands of tiny, bright green leaves.

Uses in the Water Garden

Mind-Your-Own-Business is one of my favourite  creeping plants; I believe it has a place in almost all water gardens. It is a excellent choice for covering exposed pond liner, as it will stop growing when it meets the water’s edge. It is ideal as a entrance and exit plant for adult and infant Newts, Frogs and Toads. But it is also particularly effective  when grown around formal pond paving and planted throughout rockeries and nooks and crannies.  Fabulous for under and around waterfalls, the plant really come into its own when planted  amongst  Ferns.  Here at Lilies Water Gardens, we also have a popular cultivar called Soleirolia Soleirolii Silver.   For more information and images, please click on the links below.

Soleirolia Soleirolii (species green form)

Soleirolia Soleirolii (silver cultivar)

Visit our online shop www.lilieswatergardens.co.uk or our retail nursery in Surrey to  choose from over 750 pond plants and water garden plants, you will also find all the pond planting accessories and algae treatments to maintain healthy pond plants and healthy pond water.

• Posted in Nature And Wildlife , Plant Health , Plant Profiles , Pond Design And Planting , Uses For Water Plants
• Tags: alpine plants , angels tears plant , aquatic life , aquatic plants , aquatic plants online , baby tears plant , bits and pieces plant , bog gardens , bread and cheese plant , buy pond plants , buying pond plants , buying pond plants near me , corsican carpet plant , corsican creeper plant , creeping plants , deep marginal plants , Encouraging Pond Life , free floating plants , free floating pond plants , friendship plant , Groundcover Plants , Healthy Pond Plants , healthy ponds , helxine soleirolii , how to grow pond plants? , how to plant my pond , irish moss , Marginal Plants , mat forming plants , mind your own business plant , moisture loveing plants , native pond plants , newts , oxygenating plants , oxygenating pond plants , paddys wig plant , peace in the home plant , Planting Marginal Plants , Planting Water Plants , plants for covering pond liner , polly prim plant , pollyana vine plant , pond balance , pond health , pond life , pond plant information , pond plant suppliers , pond planting , pond plants , pond plants for sale UK , pond plants online UK , pond plants UK , pond surround plants , ponds , rockery plants , soleirolia soleirolii , submerged aquatic plants , submerged plants , Water Gardening , water gardens , Water Lilies , water lilies for sale UK , water plants , what is a bog garden plant , what is a pond plant? , what is a water garden plant? , where can i buy oxygenating plants? , where can i buy pond marginal plants? , where can i buy pond plants , where can i buy rockery plants? , where can i buy water garden ferns? , where can i buy water lilies? , wildlife ponds

• Plantura Team
• Plantura Careers

You want to know who's behind Plantura?

Discover our products.

Support your plants with Plantura All Purpose Plant Food

Mind-your-own-business plant: cultivation, care & the most beautiful varieties

• Visiting Us
• Trading Policy
• Useful Stuff
• Delivery Charges
• Login | Register

• 01233 740529
• Herbs & Healing
• Ornamentals
• Practical Help
• Gifts For Gardeners
• Apple Trees
• Apricot Trees
• Cherry Trees
• Damson & Gage Trees
• Fruit Tree Collections
• Medlar Trees
• Mulberry Trees
• Nectarine & Peach Trees
• Quince Trees
• Self Fertile Fruit Trees
• Blackberries & Hybrid Berries
• Blueberries
• Bush Fruits
• Cane Fruits
• Currants | Black, Red & White
• Goji Berries
• Gooseberries
• Interesting Berries
• Raspberries
• Self Fertile Soft Fruits
• Soft Fruit Collections
• Strawberries
• Super Fruits
• Thornless Soft Fruits
• Cape Gooseberries
• Melon Seeds
• Tree Tomatoes
• Citrus Fruits
• Almond Trees
• Cobnut and Filbert Trees
• Nut Tree Collections
• Self Fertile Nut Trees
• Sweet Chestnut Trees
• Walnut Trees
• Seedless Grapes Vines
• Black / Red Grape Vines
• White Grape Vines
• Grape Vines For Eating
• Grape Vines For Juicing
• Grapes Vines For Wine Making
• Outdoor Grape Vines
• Grape Vines For Growing Inside
• Wild & Hedgerow Fruits
• Aubergine Seeds
• Brassica Seeds
• Chilli Pepper Seeds
• Courgette, Marrow & Summer Squash Seeds
• Cucumber Seeds
• Leaves & Greens Seeds
• Leek, Onion & Shallot Seeds
• Pea & Bean Seeds
• Pumpkin & Winter Squash Seeds
• Root Vegetable Seeds
• Seed Packs For Schools
• Stem Vegetable Seeds
• Sweet Pepper Seeds
• Sweetcorn Seeds
• Tomato Seeds
• Artichoke Plants
• Asparagus Plants
• Aubergine Plants
• Brassica Plants
• Chilli Pepper Plants
• Leaves & Greens Plants
• Onion & Leek Plants
• Pea & Bean Plants
• Root Vegetable Plants
• Stem Vegetable Plants
• Sweet Pepper Plants
• Sweetcorn Plants
• Tomato Plants
• Basket Tomatoes
• Bush Tomatoes
• Cordon Tomatoes
• Tomatoes For Outdoors
• Tomatoes For Protected Growing
• Cool Chillies
• Hot Chillies
• Medium Chillies
• Vegetables For Baby Leaves
• Vegetables For Baby Veg
• Vegetables For Containers
• Vegetables For Microgreens
• Vegetables For Pickling
• Chinese & Jerusalem Artichokes
• Plants With Edible Flowers
• Seeds Of Plants With Edible Flowers
• Vegetable Seed Collections
• Annual Herb Seeds
• Culinary Herb Seeds
• Healing Herb Seeds
• Herb Seeds For Teas & Drinks
• Perennial Herb Seeds
• Annual Herb Plants
• Culinary Herb Plants
• Healing Herb Plants
• Herb Plants For Teas & Drinks
• Perennial Herb Plants
• Healing Plants
• Seeds Of Healing Plants
• Annual Plants
• Autumn Flowering Plants
• Ground Cover Plants
• Perennial Plants
• Spring Flowering Plants
• Summer Flowering Plants
• Winter Flowering Plants
• Fuchsia Plant Collections
• Half Hardy Fuchsia Plants
• Hardy Fuchsia Plants
• Hedging Fuchsia Plants
• Annual Flower Seeds
• Biennial Flower Seeds
• Flower Seed Mixes
• Flower Seeds For Cut Flower
• Perennial Flower Seeds
• Bulbs & Corms
• Deciduous Hedging Plants
• Evergreen Hedging Plants
• Flowering Hedging Plants
• Fruiting Hedging Plants
• Water Gardening
• Gardening Books
• Gardening Tools
• Composts & Composting
• Pest Control
• Pots & Trays
• Propagating
• Tieing & Support
• Anniversary Gifts
• Birthday Gifts
• Christmas Gifts For Gardeners
• Fathers Day Gifts
• Mothers Day Gifts
• Valentine's Day Gifts
• Wedding Day Gifts
• Seed & Plant Collections
• Garden Plants
• How To Plant Out Ornamentals

Special Offers Redeem Offer Code Redeem Gift Voucher Scarecrow Members

Our Feedback Just to say we were very pleased with our order that arrived last week. Lovely to see such well grown heathly young plants which were perfectly packaged. Thank you, we will definately order from you again. Elaine Nicholls, Cornwall

Mind Your Own Business

Soleirolia soleirolii

• Forms a carpet of tiny green leaves just a few inches tall.
• A lovely ground cover plant and particularly pretty when used for edging paths.

Do not plant out (without protection) until fear of frost has passed.

Supplied as a clump grown in a 7cm pot.

Description

The plant with so many common names - Paddy's Wig, Corsican Creeper, Friendship Plant, Bread and Cheese, Baby's Tears, Paddy's Tears, The Pollyanna Vine - the list is endless.

A Victorian favourite that has all but been lost from cultivation, it always graced the edges of Victorian conservatory benches in a foil of neat bright green leaves to drape the edges.

It can also be planted in cracks in crazy paving outside as well as cleverly sculptured over a chicken mesh 'framing' packed with suitable growing media. Extremely versatile.

• Grows to approximately 4" (10 cm) tall.
• Has an indefinite spread.
• Prefers shade to full sun.
• Plant 12" (30 cm) apart.
• Frost tender - so in severe winters can be 'knocked back' drastically, but invariably recovers the following year.

How To Plant Out Ornamentals Detailed advice on how to plant out ornamentals, including information on recommended planting distances.

• Special Offers
• Current Job Vacancies
• Are Victoriana Organic?
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Copyright Information

Victoriana Nursery Gardens Challock, Ashford, Kent. TN25 4DG England, UK

Telephone: 01233 740529 Contact Us

© 1963-2024 Copyright information

Illustrations by Kat Whelan Website by Goldhosts

Soleirolia Species, Angel's Tears, Baby's Tears, Mind-Your-Own-Business, Mother of Thousands

Soleirolia soleirolii.

Unknown - Tell us

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Jones, Alabama

Arroyo Grande, California

Bolinas, California

Capitola, California

Clayton, California

Emeryville, California

Fairfield, California

Fremont, California

GARBERVILLE, California

Knights Landing, California

Long Beach, California

Los Angeles, California

Merced, California

Monterey, California

NORTH FORK, California

Napa, California

Pleasanton, California

Salinas, California

San Francisco, California

Vallejo, California

Bartow, Florida

Saint Cloud, Florida

Haleiwa, Hawaii

Urbana, Illinois

Saline, Michigan

Henderson, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Hackettstown, New Jersey

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Kingston, Oklahoma

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Westerly, Rhode Island

Anahuac, Texas

Lake Jackson, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Lake Forest Park, Washington

Puyallup, Washington

Spokane, Washington

Featured Videos

Gardener's notes:.

OK, it is beautiful etc etc unless you have spent a lot of money on water-wise hardscape! So it keeps crawling all over my river rocks, t ...Read More hen it dies. But I found a way! OK, this is only for people that have time and a lot of patience... So I remove the largest portion I can by hand, careful to throw it in the compost right away, then steam-kill the rest. The little leaves and roots are gone and possibly some germinating seeds, but nothing else is disturbed. No chemicals, just a LOT of patience. Sort of like getting rid of greyscale (if you don't know what that is you are better off). I use a little steamer meant for cleaning things, just one little spout with no particular attachment (I don't really want to go deep and kill earthworms). Five-ten seconds of contact, gone! You won't really see the great results for 24 hrs. Of course it requires you check and keep it up every few days at first, but it will be gone!

I planted this on my wife's grave and it seems to be doing well, despite the cemetery being in zone 17. I have to laugh ...Read More at how many people posting here characterized baby's tears as an invasive nuisance that can't be killed, but then admitted that it's attractive. Maybe the solution for them isn't to try to eradicate it, but to learn to love it. Personally, I think it beats any grass lawn and is even preferable to (and apparently hardier than) dichondra.

I don't grow this plant, I daren't grow this plant as it is extremely invasive.. it has already escape cultivation around here, and it ca ...Read More n be seen cloaking the shady, damp rock faces in the lower part of our town (photo attached). That said it is a fairly attractive groundcover plant, or as a substitute for grass, if able to be contained.

This is a question in response to Nhulberg posting of 11/29/09 regarding the control of Baby's Tears. There is no information on how muc ...Read More h sulfate of ammonia to mix in a 2 gallon sprayer. The 20 pound bag I purchased from OSH only give instructions for spreading the ammonia sulfate on lawns and shrubs. Does anyone have proportion mixing instructions for a much smaller area or a 2 gallon sprayer?

Hi, I live in the UK (in the suburbs of Greater London) & am really grateful for the plant Mind Your Own Business in the shady areas of o ...Read More ur garden where grass struggles to grow. Its so much tidier than grass, needs very little mowing, reminds me of curly hair as opposed to grass which reminds me of straight hair. When in Paris, France, we stayed at a hotel which had an inner courtyard garden where Mind Your Own Business was grown instead of grass with the flower beds planted with Busy Lizzies. I thought it looked beautiful. If only Mind your Own Business would grow in less shady areas, I would trade my grass lawn for a Mind Your Own Business Lawn!

This plant is my worst nuiusance. My area is generally damp and mild so presumanbly ideal growing conditions for this plant. So it spread ...Read More s everywhere and I am convinced that it has smothered some of my favourite prennnials. When it reaches the lawn it spreads and smothers the grass so that if I weed it out it leaves bare patches. Television gardening experts say that it can be controlled in lawns by digging up the lawn and reseeding. It also regenerates after weedkiller. And yet, I have just returned from a garden shop selling pots of it. I use a professional lawn treatment company and they refuse to treat a lawn badly affected by this plant. I note the positive comments on the site generally come from extreme climatic areas such as Seattle or Nevada or where it has been seen or grown indoors. I recommend to all gardeners in mild damp areas to avoid this pest with determination. Stronger than that, avoid at all costs!

i keep this plant as a hanging basket. the colors are very pretty, and as the basket has filled out, i've enjoyed it taking on the look o ...Read More f a "bad hair day." after reading how invasive it is, i doubt i'll ever plant it in the ground. i like it in the hanging basket better anyways. =)

I love the texture and cool feel. There is not enough water here in the Sierra Foothills for it to be invasive, so there is only a patch ...Read More under my faucet.

Evil plant. Ranks right up there with Oenothera, Pampas grass, Scotch broom and other plants that LOOK niche at first, but then the sprea ...Read More d, and spread. You can't get rid of it. As other posters said, it needs a constantly moist enviornment. But, mine has that...now I can't get rid of it. Years ago I reduced my baby's tears by 90% by applying aluminum sulfate. I just hunted down this advice from longtime garden writer Bob Chapman on OSH.com: "Baby's Tears invading gardens This low growing invasive plant is difficult to control. As powerful an herbicide as Roundup is it won't faze baby's tears. Finale, another effective herbicide, will kill baby's tears. Finale can be purchased online at Biconet.com if not available locally. A word of caution: Finale will harm all desirable vegetation so protect against spray drift when spraying by placing a barrier of cardboard or plywood between the desired plants and the baby's tears. Do your spraying in the morning to lessen the chance of spray drift. An inexpensive way to kill baby's tears is by mixing sulfate of ammonia and water in a two-gallon sprinkler can with an attached nozzle and sprinkling this solution on the leaves. Sulfate of ammonia is an inexpensive (about $3), quick-acting source of nitrogen and is sold in twenty-pound bags. "

I grew this plant years ago indoors in a small pot. It was beautiful and did very well. I hope to have another pot of it sometime soon ...Read More as I left that one behind at a previous job by accident.

I first discovered baby's tears at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. There they have what they call a courtyard (but it has ...Read More a glass roof, so I would call it an atrium). Anyway, in this wonderful courtyard there is a beautiful carpet of baby's tears as ground cover, with statuary and broken statuary on top. Absolutely gorgeous. Really contrasts nicely with the statuary and since it's so fine textured it doesn't detract from the art. I've loved it ever since. Nothing like it in the right spot.

It's a cute plant, and also it is one of the few plants in the Urticaceae that we grow in our gardens, so it is said that it is one of th ...Read More e few plants that Red Admirals (butterfly species) can use to lay their eggs. I;ve never see any larvae on it, though. It basically likes shade. It will take some sun in this area, but if it gets too dry it dies back (but returns when the rains start.) But as a perennial plant lover I hate this plant. Once it gets started, it spreads like mad and once it is established you can't get rid of it -- and it covers thicker and thicker so no other plants get anything you might apply to the soil surface. As others have noted, nothing kills it. I have tried Roundup and iron. Came back every time. Ammonium Sulfate didn't seem to do much either. Youall who think it's beautirul, be warned! By the time you realize you would rather not have it, or you want less of it, it will be too late! You won't be able to get rid of it, ever. Oh, you might decrease it a bit. It might seem to die back. But it will come back when times are good. It looks beautiful in an area with established woody plants where you don't want to grow anything else and don't want to fertilize (because obviously it will gobble up all the fertilizer before it gets to any other plants, since its roots cover the surface of the ground). It will keep out weeds very well if it gets deep enough. It also builds up around the bases of the plants so you have to pull it off if they are susceptible to moisture around the root zone. Oh one last thing, an instructor I had for a ground cover course once, many many years ago told us that if you want to "seed" this plant over an area, just pull some up, chop it up with a razor blade, and sprinkle it over the area where you want it. In other words, it can sprout from leaves or pieces of them. So if you are trying to get rid of it, watch what you do with the plants you root or pull out! (Though I admit I have never tried seeding it as described.) This info is based on 20 yrs experience as a professional gardener in a wide variety of gardens in the SanFrancisco Bay area.

I liked this plant, it took me a while to grow it but when it did it wouldn't stop. As long as it had plenty of water.

On and off for ten years, I've tried to grow Baby's Tears in various areas of Victoria, Australia (9b). I'd tried everything from buying ...Read More a healthy potted plant from a nursery, to taking a cutting from friends who have it growing like wildfire in their own gardens. Without fail, it would die on me within a week or two. Finally, after some research here on Dave's Garden as to its optimal conditions, I managed to save my current plant on the very verge of death, and now it's slowly sprouting up healthy new growth, and looking like it's going to become a strong healthy plant very soon. I never realized how very picky this plant can be - take heed where it says this plant should NEVER be left to dry out! I now leave this pot sitting in an inch of water in a soft shady spot, and it's the best thing I've ever done for it. Sun, heat, and dryness spell instant death for Baby's Tears!

Hi! Ive been growing this growndcover for about six years now. I bought it in Seattle, having no idea what it was or how to take care o ...Read More f it. Ive since found out that this plant isnt exactly hardy in my area (I live in zone 5); but im able to grow it anyway. It is in a sheltered site by the foundation of my house. It looks dead once the ground thaws out here, but emerges later in the spring. I have, so far, not found this plant invasive, but this could be just because I live in a colder zone.

I would not reccommend this plant. I have no idea where it came from but it is spreading all over my yard. It is impossible to kill as ...Read More the little root runners form a dense mat. This plant is impossible to pull up as well due to the thick mat of roots. It takes over your grass as well as your garden. Several days ago I used round up and the plant looks unaffected. It is pretty! However I can't come up with anywhere I'd want it to grow.

I live in Las Vegas, Nevada and had 3 flats of Baby Tears setting on the north side of my house for a couple of years. I was originally ...Read More told they do not grow in Las Vegas, After three years they had spread and did just what I wanted. The last couple of years they have been dying out. The thatch that is left will not come back. Do I need to remove the old thatch to try to get them to come back? The soil in spots is clay like, in others it is sandy. I have added peat moss to the sandy spots to help hold the moisture, which did seem to help some. During the summer I water it once a day with the hose and the sprinkler system waters twice a day (mornings),. In the winter, I water every other day. It has not invaded my grass because the sun is too hot. What do I need to do to make this come back? It will not grow under a China Berry tree. I think the tree draws all the water out of the soil. That is the spot where the peat moss helped some.

Makes a great ground cover around the base of larger houseplants such as Ficus benjamina but it does get crushed easily (found one of my ...Read More cats liked to lay in it - probably 'cause it was cool in summer). I've got one in a large planter outside, near the house, & it's stayed green & lush all winter without freezing (zone 7b). It would make a good ground cover as long as it wasn't trod on.

I live in an apartment and this plant is so beautiful indoors. There was no information with the plant when I got it so I had to experime ...Read More nt to see what it prefered and what it did not. It almost died but I found that it likes lots of light and lots of water as well as a good misting. My problem is that it is now fall and I noticed it seems to be reacting to the weather, with lots of dead and dying foliage. I just cut it back pretty far, hopefully it will be ok. has anybody had a similar experience?

Possible solution to invasive Soleirolia (Helxine) soleirolii: I moved onto property in Monterey, California three years ago and discove ...Read More red that my lawn was invaded by very healthy looking Baby Tears. This lawn is moderately shady and composed mostly of bluegrass, a poor choice for California. I shopped the local nurseries and websites for a solution, and nothing suggested worked, including Ortho WeedBGone (broadleaf killer Mecoprop, et al.), MossOut (Iron suggestion never made sense to me, since "Irish Moss" isn't moss), Roundup (killed the grass of course, but the Baby Tears thrived), and digging out the sod and replacing about twelve rolls (came back in various places, in spite of the fact that I cut out margins of up to one foot on all sides). Then for some reason I tried triclopyr (Ortho BrushBGone for poison ivy/oak) and surprisingly it killed the Baby Tears very quickly with no harm to the grass, but unfortunately many months later it started appearing again in the area treated. I have since moved from this property, and do not know if further treatment with triclopyr would have helped. If so, I would be disappointed that I wasted so much labor, and puzzled that a chemical marketed for woody plants might work on this delicate little thing that nothing else kills. By the way, I suspect that this was planted at one time adjacent to the lawn, but wasn't adequately watered there, but thrived in the watered lawn. So for those who successfully grow this pretty little plant, I cannot report for sure whether there is a chemical to spray if it starts invading your grass. [I have no financial interest in Ortho or any other chemical or gardening company.]

I really hate this plant- it's taking over our garden (Midlands, UK), and I can't kill it! Not without destroying all of the plants I wan ...Read More t to keep, anyway. It even grows over the top of mulch membrane. The only good thing is that it is quite pretty and even. I'd prefer corsican mint, though.

I seriously thought that this pernicious little invader was some form of Speedwell. I live on the South Wales Coast and th ...Read More is plant is slowly taking over the town. John Howley ps - Apparently this little blighter is edible - anyone heard about that? J

I am growing this plant in a container. I find it to be ever so easy to maintain. Like others have said it grows great in shady area's ...Read More or low sun light,and keeping moist is important. I keep it outdoors but when we are going to have downpours I bring it inside because it is in a container that houses my hens &chick. I plan on bringing it in for the winter and transplanting some of it to other containers. I love that it is invasive.

These we always growing in my grandmother's garden under her back porch. They flourished in the shade. They can tolerate the heat but t ...Read More hey have to be moist which can be some work. But they look so wonderful between flagstone steps leading into your secret garden and so cool and soft on bare feet on a hot summer's day.

This plant grows well as ground cover in shade, in my garden here in Denmark (northern Europe), zone 7. The tiny leaves di ...Read More es back after the first severe frost nights in autumn, but grows back in spring. This winter (2003/2004), this ground cover plant survived 10 degrees F (-12C) unprotected, and an average temperature in january/february of 34/30 F(1/-1 C) with no trouble at all.

We love our baby tears, they are planted at the bottom of our palms in giant pots, the baby tears drip over the side in a cascade of soft ...Read More green drapery.

I picked up this plant at Home Depot because I wanted a hanging basket plant for my shaded front porch. No one seemed to know anything a ...Read More bout it except it's name. I took it home and hung it up by my front door, where it has florished with very little intervention from me (except watering a couple times a week). A bird built it's nest in it, and even though it has had the constant traffic of a mamma bird and two squirmy, active baby birds, it has held up surprisingly well. A great plant for someone who does not have a lot of time to invest in pruning or maintaining a plant but wants something that looks like they did!

I have read that this makes a good houseplant, and would like to try it. But I can't find it anywhere around here (Central Florida). Any ...Read More ideas on where I can find this? And has anyone else tried it as as indoor plant?

Edgewood, Washington Baby tears make a great ground cover under larger plants. I have it in planters on the deck to keep the soil ...Read More from splashing out when I water the plants in them. It also is growing around the deck and around the koi pond. It is a maintainence free plant, to cover larger areas set a potted baby's tears down and it will soon be overflowing onto the soil. Lift the pot and repeat, in no time you will have the area where you want it covered and it only cost you one 4 inch pot. Plant is very hardy, it has survived our winters here even when the ground has snow and layers of ice on it. Will look like it is gone, but come Spring it will reappear just a lush as ever. Personally I love this plant, it gives a nice established look to new gardens by the way it will cover the stones and edging of your garden.

I love my babys tears. I was only watering it once a week like my other plants when it started to die I decied to water more often. Now ...Read More I water every day. I do not plan to put this in my garden now that I know that is spreads so wildly. But I will have a container of it in the garden. Maybe in my bird feeder. We have very humid summers here and I think it will do well.

In the early fall, I finally planted my 5 small clumps of Baby's Tears [one died when I forgot to water them in the hot summer] after mon ...Read More ths of caring for them in their original container. I put them on the north side of a built-up, man-made, shady creek area, in heavy clay soil with just a tad of gardening soil. I can't believe they survived. They are starting to spread [which I WANT them to do] and even have wee, almost microscopic flowers. It sounds like I'm one of the few who wouldn't mind if they became invasive, though.

This plant grows wonderfully in the shade around my pond in the Seattle area. I would like it to do what it does at the local nursery-- d ...Read More rape out over the edge of the black pond liner, and disguise it. I am trying to find it in seed so that I can fill in some small areas which have not done well with potted versions.

I just bought baby's tears, and planted chunks under my back porch---but I have no clue how to take care of this plant or if I even did t ...Read More he right thing. The natural soil is very clay (heavy) so I mixed it 50/50 with planting soil but it seems very heavy and cement-like still. I don't want it to die on me.

This is the most INVASIVE plant I own, and I'd like to find a way to control or kill it. It's so fragile, when I try to pull it out, the ...Read More stems break and the roots stay. (Just like weeds!) My mom says she can't grow this plant, but I have planters full of it.

Good groundcover for shady, badly-drained clay soil - spreads almost explosively despite the poor conditions. I put a 4" pot of it there ...Read More and forgot about it, so it simply climbed out of the pot and established itself.

A nice undercover for shady area. Does not handle traffic. Can be invasive - spreads from pieces of stem. Freezes to a black mush, but re ...Read More adily comes back.

Get to Know Dave's Garden

• Report an error

Follow Dave's Garden

Gardeners Tips

Tips and advice for gardeners about gardening, mind your own business plants, june 10, 2013 hortoris.

Mind Your Own Business is not an instruction but a mat-forming plant also know as Baby’s Tears. It is a creeping perennial that bears minute flowers and forms a mat or small hummock of green foliage that creeps along the soil on thin stems and hangs down over the side of a plant pot. Indoors ‘Mind Your Own Business’ grows best in a cool room and will grow well with high humidity although that is not essential. Never let it dry out and the brighter the position the more water it will need.

There are 3 cultivars of Mind Your Own Business, Soleirolia soleoirolii the species which has green foliage, Variegata Silver Queen with grey-green foliage and Aurea Golden Queen. Uses For Mind Your Own Business Indoors ‘Mind Your Own Business’ grows best in a cool room and will grow well with high humidity although that is not essential. Outdoors it is a relatively maintenance-free alternative to grass as ground cover in moist, shady areas. Frost hardy, its leaves are killed by winter frost, but it will recover to grow vigorously in spring and this is one reason it is used in Japanese gardens as an alternative to moss. The free running nature of the plant allows it to clamber over rocks and logs making green lumps and hump in organic shapes. In the picture above it is used in an Alpine garden display.

5 thoughts on “ Mind Your Own Business Plants ”

I am desperate to buy some potted Mind your own Business for indoor use as balls – but I can’t find wher to buy them even using the Internet. Can you help?

Have a look on amazon under mind your own business, £5 odd, just checked they still did it and they do. Love this plant.

Hi some garden centres have them in now, or they will get som in for you. I love this plant. It adds green structure to the smallest areas and I’ve got sone just in pots hanging.

The biggest weed – DO NOT put it in your garden it will spread like crazy and very hard to get rid of!!

That is the idea of it…to spread over rocks and logs and such it’s very beautiful…

Comments are closed.

Premium Content

How do you create your own ‘Blue Zone’? Here are 6 tips

From prioritizing breakfast to allowing yourself to indulge, these small changes recommended by author Dan Buettner can help improve your overall well-being.

These six powerful food practices create a virtuous circle between food, healthy social networks, moving naturally, strong spiritual life, and overall well-being. Try incorporating them into your daily routine and create your own personal “Blue Zone”—a place to live your longest, healthiest life.

( The 5 'Blue Zones' where the world’s healthiest people live. )

Make it sacred

Knowing which foods to eat—and in what quantities—is the first step toward eating to 100. But there’s more that we can learn from people in the Blue Zones about food. For them, growing, preparing, serving, and eating are all sacred practices with the power to bring their families, their homes, their communities, their beliefs, and the natural world together in daily rhythms and harmonies. After watching how Blue Zones principles can come to life in North American communities, I’ve zeroed in on six powerful food practices that create a virtuous circle between food, healthy social networks, moving naturally, strong spiritual life, and overall well-being. Here they are, along with a few thoughts on how you can put them into practice in your own home too.

Breakfast like a king

An Adventist adage reminds people to eat “breakfast like a king; lunch like a prince; dinner like a pauper.” In other words, make the first meal of your day the biggest, and eat only three meals per day. The routine is the same in almost all of the Blue Zones: People eat a huge breakfast before work, a mediumsize late lunch, and a light, early dinner. They may occasionally grab a midmorning piece of fruit or a midafternoon handful of nuts, but most don’t make a habit of snacking. The average meal contains about 650 calories, so with just three meals a day and a small snack, most people get all the calories a day they need. Adding a fourth meal, even a small one, can push your calorie consumption over the top for the day. Most food is consumed before noon. Nicoyans often eat two breakfasts and a light dinner. Lunch tends to be the big meal for Ikarians and Sardinians. Okinawans like to skip dinner altogether. Many Adventists who follow the “breakfast like a king” rule eat only two meals a day, one midmorning and another around 4 p.m. Recent research supports frontloading calories early in the day.

( This American diet could add 10 years to your life. )

Take control of ingredients

For the most part, people in the world’s Blue Zones eat at home. In most Blue Zones, eating out is considered a celebratory event, a rare treat usually reserved for a wedding or other festive occasion. When you cook at home, you can control the ingredients. You can choose the freshest, highest-quality ingredients and avoid consuming cheap fillers and flavor enhancers that end up in much restaurant food. (Even high-end restaurants typically pile on butter and salt.) Cooking also nudges you into action, requiring you to stand, stir, mix, knead, chop, and lift. All of this physical activity counts more than you know, especially when compared with sitting down at a restaurant. One study followed the eating habits and caloric intake of 1,000 people for a week and discovered that people who ate out consumed on average about 275 more calories per day than people who ate at home. Why? Restaurants serve meals containing more calories. This may not sound like much, but by most estimates, just 200 extra calories per day could add up to as much as a 20-pound gain over the course of a year.

( These traditional diets can lead to long lives. )

Get back on track with a fast

Devout Catholic Sardinians and Nicoyans fast during Lent, the 40 days before Easter, during which time they abstain from meat. Studies show that occasionally going without food, even for a day, can provide health benefits. It can recalibrate insulin release, giving the pancreas a break. It can temporarily lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It works as a short-term way to lose weight, break food addictions, and perhaps even cleanse the digestive tract. Moderate fasting for longer periods can create a form of caloric restriction and may slow aging. Fasting puts the cells in our bodies into a survival mode, with at least two benefits. First, cells produce fewer free radicals, the oxidizing agents that “rust” our bodies from the inside out. Lower levels of free radicals strengthen arteries, brain cells, and even the skin. Second, fasting also seems to reduce levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a hormone important for cell growth but potentially dangerous after about age 20, as high levels may promote prostate, breast, and other cancers.

You May Also Like

What is your 'food clock'? These 4 tips can improve how you eat

Your body needs whole grains. Here’s how to find the most effective ones.

Are you a stress eater? Here’s how to retrain your brain.

( Is organic food healthier? That’s the wrong question. )

Indulge a little

None of these rituals should feel like a restriction, limitation, or deprivation. Don’t cheat yourself. Go ahead and enjoy the good meals and the occasional indulgent celebration. We eat about 1,100 meals a year. If we celebrate a couple of times a week and enjoy what we love to eat, that still leaves almost 1,000 meals a year to eat the Blue Zones way. “What dieters forget is that eating is one of the greatest pleasures of the living,” said Antonia Trichopoulou, arguably the greatest living expert on the Mediterranean diet. If it makes you happy, don’t give up that slice of pie at Thanksgiving, or that piece of birthday cake, or even that weekly steak. It may not be optimally healthy, but as residents of the Blue Zones have shown us, the body has some capacity to equalize after an occasional indulgence. The trick is to painlessly find that happy balance between savoring our lives and behaving in a way that saves them for the longest possible time. In our world, those two forces are at odds, but in the Blue Zones, those two forces harmonize. So go ahead and indulge in the occasional celebration.

( Seaweed is a superfood you can forage. Here’s how. )

Make meals a time to share

Mealtimes in the Blue Zones are a time to give thanks, share stories, talk out problems, and bond as a family. As a rule, people there never eat alone, never eat standing up, and never eat with the other hand on the steering wheel. As my Ikarian guide Thea Parikos pointed out, when her family sits down to a meal, she leaves the stress of the day elsewhere. Ikarians, she said, eat slowly while holding conversations with family, a ritual good for building not only stronger family ties but also healthier bodies. How you eat can be as important as what you eat. Eating fast promotes overeating and, as research shows, can double your risk of obesity. A study found that children and adolescents who eat meals with their families at least three times a week are more likely to be in a normal weight range and have healthier dietary and eating patterns than those who don’t. A report by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse also points out that teens who eat dinner with their family more than three times a week are less likely to do poorly in school. Make sure you have a comfortable table—ideally a round one—that is small enough to encourage family conversation.

( Hoping for health and fortune in the new year? Put this meal on your menu. )

Related Topics

• PUBLIC HEALTH

The keto diet could have serious health consequences. Here are the facts.

What is ‘inflammaging’? Here's how inflammation affects you differently as you age.

4 herbal traditions used every day, all over the world

Not everyone should be taking a multivitamin

Mocktails have some surprising health benefits—even for drinkers

• Environment
• Perpetual Planet
• History & Culture

History & Culture

• History Magazine
• Mind, Body, Wonder
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

• Russia & Former Soviet Union
• RT Features
• Entertainment

Investor boost for Moscow Metro brings new line and less gridlock

For the first time Moscow Metro management is looking to attract private investors to build a new subway line in the east of the city. Several Russian and foreign companies are already lining up to take part in a project.

The Chief Executive of the Moscow Metro Igor Besedin says negotiations are underway with a Spanish investor.  The companies are interested in developing both underground and above ground with retail and other services offered to passengers. The first private line with 9 stations stretching 19 km would be the longest subway line built in recent years.  Its cost could be about $3.2 billion, according to the Russian consulting firm FBK. The new line leading from Aviamotornaya station to Lyubertsy fields should be completed by 2015.  Moscow has a serious traffic problem, and authorities think a new subway line will help reduce the gridlock. Currently the city has 300km of underground railway split across 12 lines with 182 stations. About 7 million people use the Moscow Metro every day. Moscow Metro system has no privately owned lines yet, but the Mykinino station in the west of Moscow was built by a private investor. Private subway lines are common in big cities all over the world. Private lines operate in Tokyo and in London.

Top stories

RT News App

• Applications
• Where to watch
• Sponsored content
• Terms of Use
• Privacy policy
• RT Promo: Hall of Fame
• Contact info
• Feedback & Complaints

© Autonomous Nonprofit Organization “TV-Novosti”, 2005–2024. All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies. Read RT Privacy policy to find out more.

if (!inwiki && isMobileDevice){ document.write(' (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ');} Waste water treatment plant (Moscow)

• Similar places
• Nearby places
• Nearby cities
• Secondary clarification tanks   5.1 km
• Activated sludge reactors   5.3 km
• Secondary clarification tanks   5.6 km
• Activated sludge reactors   5.9 km
• Primary clarification tanks   6 km
• Kuryanovo Aeration Plant   6.1 km
• Secondary clarification tanks   6.1 km
• Activated sludge reactors   6.2 km
• Brateyevsky Pond   6.3 km
• Moscow Waste Water Treatment Facility   19 km
• Ominous Swamp   0.5 km
• Academy of the Alliance of Cossack Troops   0.6 km
• Tsaritsyno Park   1 km
• Tsaritsyno District   1.5 km
• River Gorodnya   1.6 km
• Biryulyovo Vostochnoye District   2.1 km
• Orekhovo-Borisovo Severnoye District   2.2 km
• Tsaritsyno Natural and Historical Park   2.4 km
• Biryulyovo Zapadnoye District   3.2 km
•   15 km
•   71 km
•   147 km
•   149 km
•   335 km
•   347 km
•   424 km
•   434 km
•   473 km
•   622 km

Post comment

or continue as guest