Pilea depressa

Baby Tears Pilea, Depressed Clearweed, Baby Tears

Easy careTerrestrialNon-toxic5–10 cm

A small creeping subshrub from the Caribbean, with tiny round bright-green leaves on delicate trailing stems that quickly form a dense mat. Its compact size and preference for warmth and humidity make it a good foreground groundcover for closed terrariums. Non-toxic to pets and humans, and once established it spreads reliably with little attention.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Baby Tears Pilea image

Photo by Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz·CC BY-SA 4.0

Care

Light

Indirect light(preferred)Bright indirectShade tolerant

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)Medium (40–60%)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
15°C – 27°C

Soil

Well draining(preferred)Peat moss

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

6 – 7.5

Appearance

Growth habit

CreepingTrailing

Leaf shape

Round

Leaf texture

Smooth

Distribution

Propagation

Cut 5–10 cm sections of stem and press onto moist substrate, making sure at least one node touches the soil. A light covering of sphagnum moss helps hold moisture. Roots appear quickly in warm, humid conditions.