Soleirolia soleirolii
mind-your-own-business
A wide-creeping evergreen perennial with slender, rooting, pink or green stems bearing tiny rounded leaves and minute pinkish-white flowers in summer
Other common names
baby's tearsbits and pieces
see morebread and cheese
Corsican creeper
Corsican curse
helxine
mother of thousands
Paddy's wig
Pollyanna vine
angel's tears
friendship plant
Irish moss
Synonyms
Helxine soleiroliiSoleirolia green
Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Urticaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Matforming
- Genus
Soleirolia is a fast-growing, mat-forming perennial with creeping, rooting stems bearing small, rounded leaves and inconspicuous pinkish flowers
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- W Mediterranean Is.
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow under glass or as a house-plant in a peat-free, loam-based compost with added grit in full light with shade from hot sun or in partial shade. Water freely in summer but keep just moist in winter. Can be grown outdoors in any soil but has the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well and also becomes deciduous in frost prone areas; suitable for use as bedding, including hanging baskets
Propagation
Propagate by seed or division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Wildlife gardens
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Low Maintenance
- Banks and slopes
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
- Ground cover
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.