Depressed Clearweed
Pilea Depressa 'Baby Tears'
Pilea depressa ‘Baby Tears’ is a gorgeous little trailing plant native to Mexico. Not to be confused with the true Baby Tears plant (Soleirolia soleirolii) this vine has a dense foliage of bright green leaves with delicate ruffled edges. In a terrarium it makes a fantastic ground cover plant, but this versatile species will eventually begin to climb too. Alternatively, they look beautiful when they’re mounted high and allowed to cascade over an edge.
At a Glance
- Vine
- Medium - high indirect light
- 55-80°F (12-26°C)
- Regular, even moisture
- 3-4 inches
- High humidity (60-90%)
Where to Buy Pilea depressa 'Baby Tears'
See the links below to purchase from reputable terrarium plant shops and marketplaces (may include affiliate links).
Terrarium Plant Guide
Pilea depressa Care & Growth
Lighting
Pilea depressa will grow in a variety of lighting conditions, but an area that receives lots of bright, indirect light is optimal for growth. Though, you may find the plant has a more prostrate growth pattern under bright light. Avoid areas of direct sunlight as the delicate leaves can quickly become damaged.
Watering
Regular, even moisture is the best way to keep Pilea depressa ‘Baby Tears’ happy and healthy. It’s a very forgiving plant, and as long as you don’t let it dry out it’ll do just fine.
Substrate
This versatile species should thrive in a range of terrarium substrates but they do tend to fare better in coarser, sandy mixtures with good drainage.
Temperature & Humidity
Pilea depressa ‘Baby Tears’ really appreciates a high humidity and can be quite sensitive to temperature. Keeping both consistently high will ensure your plant stays healthy.
Growth
Under the right conditions, Pilea depressa can grow very well in a terrarium. Whether you choose to plant it as ground cover or mount it for a cascading green wall, you shouldn’t have any problems. It’s also very easy to prune and to keep it’s growth in check.
Propagation
Pilea depressa propagation is straightforward via stem cuttings. They’ll readily grow in a coarse substrate or directly in water.
Varieties & Similar Plants
There’s a couple of notable varieties of Pilea depressa, including P. depressa ‘Sao paulo’ that has darker green leaves and Pilea depressa ‘Tiny tears’ which (as the name suggests) is even smaller still.
Common Problems
Pilea depressa ‘Baby Tears’ is a fairly easy species to grow. Generally, you’re only going to have problems if you severely overwater or underwater this plant, or if the temperature drops below 12 degrees (as it’s not a frost hardy plant).
