Pilea depressa ‘Baby Tears’ is an evergreen plant in the Urticaceae family. They are native to Brazil and Mexico. Pilea depressa is a vining plant that grows low to the ground and climbs or trails over the sides of hanging baskets. They are fuzzy pet safe, as well as reptile safe.
Unboxing Instructions: When plant arrives, pot will be in a bag or wrapped to reduce soil loss. remove paper and packaging materials and cut out of bag or wrapping and water thoroughly. Repot in a peat based, light fast draining soil. Any stem tips that are lost during repotting or transit should be placed back into the soil, growth point side up, to propagate and help to make the plant fuller and more bushy.
Pilea depressa plants are perfect for fairy gardens and terrariums, their tiny ¼” scalloped leaves grow on vines that are green to light pink. Their foliage is thick for a vine and makes a lush carpet on the surface of the soil. Growing 3 to 6 inches tall without climbing and will grow several feet long without pruning. Flowers white, small and emerge in Spring from May to June.
Species likes to be indoors when temps dip below 55 degrees F. Cold hardy outdoors year round in Zones 10 - 11, in bright indirect light. Normal room temperature inside is ideal. Plants prefer bright indirect light and do not care for direct sun. Easy to grow, soil should be watered consistently and should be kept moist at all times and not allowed to dry out, but not soupy or muddy. Plants can be submerged temporarily and can grow in aquariums with clean roots and gravel for substrate. Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season from Spring to Fall, if you would like but they do not require much, if any fertilization. Plants can be misted daily or placed on a tray of rocks or pebbles to increase humidity. Message us for a link to our care guide for more detailed instructions.
To propagate, use a clean sharp knife or pair of scissors to cut off the end of a stem that is actively growing, and then put that stem into a pot of moist soil. Keep soil moist at all times and your cutting will grow and start pushing out new leaves soon!
If you have any questions or we can be of any help when you get the plant or in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask. Don't forget to like/follow our Facebook page to see what new plants are available as they get ready throughout the year!
Remember: No care guide is going to be perfect for every situation. Plants in rainy Seattle will have different needs than plants in hot and dry New Mexico. We recommend that all customers read their care guide thoroughly, follow the instructions, listen to what your plant is telling you about what it needs and adjust accordingly.