Baby Tears Plant Care
Hemianthus micranthemoides Nutt.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Micranthemum micranthemoides, commonly known as Nuttall's mudflower is an extinct species of subaquatic Micranthemum that previously inhabited wet areas from Virginia to New York. It is commonly misidentified as a similar species, Micranthemum glomeratum, in aquascaping.
Bright indirect light
At a glance
How do you care for Baby Tears?
Baby Tears grows best in bright indirect light.
What Is the Baby Tears?
Baby Tears (Hemianthus micranthemoides) belongs to the Plantaginaceae family within the Hemianthus genus. Baby Tears is also known as Pearl Weed.
Baby Tears displays a low mat-forming growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Baby Tears produces small, inconspicuous flowers.
What Light Does the Baby Tears Need?
Baby Tears thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Baby Tears in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Baby Tears?
Loose, well-draining substrate with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Baby Tears to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Baby Tears?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Baby Tears?
Baby Tears can be propagated through division, stem cuttings.
Is the Baby Tears Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Baby Tears, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Baby Tears?
Baby Tears is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Baby Tears is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Hemianthus genus — compare its care with other Hemianthus species on PlantoScan.
Hemianthus is part of the Plantaginaceae plant family — browse all Plantaginaceae genera and species.
Baby Tears thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Hemianthus micranthemoides Nutt., family Plantaginaceae (first published in J. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia i. (1817) 119. t. 6. f. 2.) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Baby Tears, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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