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How long can Baby's Tears vines get?

5 years ago

Does anyone know how long the vines of Baby's Tears (Helxine soleirolii) can get when grown indoors? I'm planning to grow the Giant Baby's Tears in particular. I would like to use the plant for a sort of living window cover installation and I'm hoping it can get some length. Also, do they live long lives indoors? It will be protected from direct sun light. Thanks!

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

5 years ago

I have not grown that myself but based on the growth habit and photos of it planted, I'd think you will have better draping or cascading results from that plant than from the groundcover :-))

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Comments (6)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
Unless we are speaking about a different plant, baby's tears (Soleirolia soleirolii, syn. Helxine soleirolii) is not a vine. It is a mat forming groundcover that roots along the stems. If there is nothing for the stems to root into (no soil), then they can develop some slight length but not all that much.

Many people do grow it as a houseplant as it is not winter hardy in colder zones, and it is a popular plant for terrariums. But just don't expect it to grow and drape down or over something other than soil :-)
canaanjs09
Original Author
5 years ago
Hmmmm. The baby‘s tears sold here in Seattle definitely creep and the resources I’ve found online about helxine soleirolii all say that they look great cascading down a planter.... I know they’re common habit is to spread over ground which is why I wanted to see if they could cascade to long enough lengths.
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Could somebody please help me with this impossible plant! =( I have been trying to grow Baby's Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) on and off for many years now. I have tried growing it from cuttings, I have tried buying a thriving pot of it from a nursery, I have tried growing it in full sun, muted sun, partial sun, full shade, I've tried indoors, outdoors, in doorways, I've tried everything from submerging it, to well watered, to lightly watered, to no water at all, and everything between, and for the life of me I can not seem to keep this plant alive for more than a week or two no matter what I try!! I'm in Australia, the temperatures here range from a little below 0C/33F in the coldest part of a winter night, to about 45C/113F at the peak of a hot summer. Average temp year round would be between 10C/50F to 20C/58F. I have plenty of locations available for every possible degree of sunlight, indoor or outdoor. If anybody can tell me what the optimal conditions for keeping one of these alive, or what I can do to minimize my chances of killing my next attempt, I would be very grateful! Thanks in advance! Here is a link that might be useful: Vaelor's Keep
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
They certainly creep - most groundcovers do - but there is a limit as to how far any single stem (for lack of a better word) will extend without having something to root into. I have used them extensively as a groundcover and have also included them in container plantings. And while they have crept a bit or fluffed over the side of the container, they do not drape or extend to any significant length.
canaanjs09
Original Author
5 years ago
Got it. Thank you :) I’ve also seen pilea depressa “baby tears.” Are you familiar? If so, do you happen to know if they have a similar growth habit to helxine soleirolii?
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canaanjs09
Original Author
5 years ago
:) Thanks for your help!
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