Pilea depressa (Baby Tears) care guide
Pilea depressa · Urticaceae
Pilea depressa (Baby Tears) (Pilea depressa) is a terrarium plant. It belongs to the Urticaceae family. It is native to Caribbean: Cuba and Hispaniola; a creeping herb of moist, shaded tropical forest that roots along the ground. It needs bright indirect light or semi-shade; adapts to lower light and led terrarium lights; too much light yellows leaf edges light. Water temperature: 16°C – 27°C. Care difficulty: Easy. Growth rate: moderate – fast in warm, humid tanks.
How do you care for Pilea depressa (Baby Tears)?
| Light | Bright indirect light or semi-shade; adapts to lower light and LED terrarium lights; too much light yellows leaf edges |
|---|---|
| CO₂ | High humidity (no figure in quality sources) |
| Temperature | 16°C – 27°C |
| Placement | SUITS closed terrariums – one of the most popular closed-terrarium groundcovers; also grows in open pots with raised humidity. Use as a floor carpet or trailing accent. |
| Growth | Moderate – fast in warm, humid tanks |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Family | Urticaceae |
How do you trim and propagate Pilea depressa (Baby Tears)?
Cut back regularly so it does not smother neighbours in a closed tank; lay the trimmings on moist substrate and they root on contact.
What problems affect Pilea depressa (Baby Tears)?
Collapse and rot at the base from waterlogged, poorly drained soil; yellow leaf edges from too much light or hard water; overruns the tank in warm, humid conditions.
How do you fix Pilea depressa (Baby Tears) problems?
Keep evenly moist, neither dry nor waterlogged; use a draining but moisture-holding mix (coco coir + perlite). Soft or filtered water avoids mineral marks. Prune often.
Where does Pilea depressa (Baby Tears) come from?
Caribbean: Cuba and Hispaniola; a creeping herb of moist, shaded tropical forest that roots along the ground
What should you know before buying Pilea depressa (Baby Tears)?
Not listed by ASPCA; related Pilea on the ASPCA list are non-toxic to cats and dogs (unverified for this species). Naturalised on several tropical islands – in tropical climates, do not dump trimmings outdoors.
Sources
- Pilea depressa (Sw.) Blume (GBIF backbone; distribution from WCVP/Kew) — GBIF / Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants
- Pilea depressa (Sw.) Blume — National Parks Board Singapore - Flora & Fauna Web
- Pilea depressa — Wikipedia
- Pilea in Terrariums — Terrarium Tribe
- Pilea Depressa Care Guide — Just Houseplants
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List - Cats — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
Care details checked against these sources on 2026-09-23.
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