Paddys Wig Soleirolia soleirolii
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Helxine soleirolii
- Phonetic Spelling
- so-ley-ROH-lee-uh so-ley-ROH-lee-eye
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
-
This ground cover resembling moss honors Joseph Francois Soleirol, who acquired a large collection of specimens of Corsican plants. The common name Baby's Tears is derived from the tiny, rounded leaves.
This creeping perennial ground cover with ornamental foliage can be grown as a houseplant. While it can spread up to 6' wide in the garden, as a houseplant, it won't go far. Not having contact with the soil will limit its spread.
It may be used as a terrarium plant, but over time will crowd out the other terrarium plants.
Ideal conditions include moderate temperatures, high humidity and bright, in direct lighting. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves.
A wide, shallow pot creates an ideal location for this plant.
Pruning of this delicate looking plant can be accomplished with a pair of scissors.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease issues. Aphids, whiteflies, and scale are possible problems. Overwatering can cause root rot.
Once established, the plant may prove to be difficult to remove. Even after removing the plant, many small stems are missed and the plant can regenerate. Can become weedy and invasive.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Aurea'
Golden leaves. - 'Golden Queen'
Yellowish leaf margins. - 'Silver Queen'
Silvery-gray foliage. - 'Variegata'
Silvery green variegated foliage.
- 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Golden Queen', 'Silver Queen', 'Variegata'
- Tags:












- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Aurea'
Golden leaves. - 'Golden Queen'
Yellowish leaf margins. - 'Silver Queen'
Silvery-gray foliage. - 'Variegata'
Silvery green variegated foliage.
- 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Golden Queen', 'Silver Queen', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Soleirolia
- Species:
- soleirolii
- Family:
- Urticaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Ground cover
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- W. Mediterranean, Italy, Sardinia and Corsica.
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Shade
- Textural
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Climbing
- Creeping
- Dense
- Horizontal
- Prostrate
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9b, 9a, 10b, 10a, 11b, 11a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Ovoid and shiny fruits are enclosed by calyx.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The tiny, creamy white flowers lack petals and are insignificant.
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-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The shiny, lime green leaves are tiny, only 1/4" diameter. They form a dense ground cover as they spread.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The many branched, fleshy stems root into the ground as the plant spreads. Spreading in a prostrate form, they have stinging hairs.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Naturalized Area
- Near Septic
- Patio
- Rock Wall
- Vertical Spaces
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Children's Garden
- Fairy Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Foot Traffic
- Humidity
- Problems:
- Invasive Species