Baby Tears

Description

Delicate, small leaves Easy to grow Great cover for baby fish Baby tears is known for its delicate, small, round leaves that add interesting textures and contrasts nicely against larger-leafed plants. This relatively easy-to-grow, medium light stem plant makes a great foreground to midground plant due to its smaller size. If left untrimmed, baby tears can grow up to a foot tall, so make sure to trim it often to encourage low, bushy growth. Scientific Name: Micranthemum umbrosum Native To: North America Skill Level: Medium Placement: Foreground, midground, or background Recommended Light: Medium Light 20-35 PAR (click to see our PAR chart) CO 2 Requirement: Low to none Preferred Fertilizer: Easy Green liquid fertilizer Propagation : Trim stems and replant ***Being a natural product, sizes can vary from what is shown.*** How to Plant Baby Tears in Aquarium 1. Remove the potted plant from plastic basket, and split the rock wool in half. 2. Carefully remove the plant roots from the rock wool, and make sure to remove all the small, yellow fertilizer balls. Wash off any remaining debris. 3. To plant baby tears, group several stems together and plant as a bunch. Use planting tweezers or your fingers to plant each bunch deeply, at least 2 to 3 inches into the ground, which means the substrate may cover some of the bottom leaves. 4. Plant the bunches with some space in between so that the stems can get plenty of light and the roots have some room to grow. 5. If the bunch keeps popping out of the ground, try inserting the bunch at an angle or wrap a plant weight at the bottom of the stem to keep them anchored. If the stems have no roots, some people will float them at the surface until they develop roots and then plant them into the substrate. How to Care for Baby Tears Plant — Baby tears plant care is very easy, so start by using medium lighting between 20-35 PAR to prevent "leggy" stems (where the bottom portion of the plant starts dropping leaves). — Why is my baby tears plant turning yellow or brown? If your stem plant is getting enough light, it may be a nutrient deficiency, so measure the nitrate level using a multi-test strip . Dose with Easy Green all-in-one fertilizer until the water has 20-50 ppm nitrate. — How to trim baby tears plant: If the plant is too tall or the bottom half of the stem has lost its leaves, prune off the top portion and replant it. How to Propagate Baby Tears Stem plants can be easily propagated by trimming off the top half of the plant and replanting it in another location. The original plant will continue growing upwards from where it was cut and may even create multiple branches.

Specifications

Pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the scientific name for baby tears?

A: The scientific name is Micranthemum umbrosum. It's native to North America and prized for its delicate, small round leaves that create interesting texture contrasts in aquariums. Baby tears grows as a foreground to midground plant and provides excellent cover for baby fish.

Q: How much light does baby tears need?

A: Baby tears requires medium light between 20-35 PAR to prevent "leggy" stems where lower leaves drop. This relatively easy-to-grow stem plant thrives in medium light conditions that help maintain healthy, bushy growth and prevent leaf loss from insufficient illumination.

Q: How much does baby tears cost?

A: Baby tears is priced at $7.99 USD, making it an affordable budget option for aquarium enthusiasts. This covers a potted plant arriving ready to plant, though sizes may vary since it's a natural product shipped with rock wool and fertilizer balls.

Q: How tall does baby tears grow?

A: If left untrimmed, baby tears can grow up to a foot tall, so regular trimming is recommended to encourage low, bushy growth. Trim the top portion and replant it elsewhere, while the original plant continues growing and may develop multiple branches.

Q: Does baby tears need CO2?

A: Baby tears has low to no CO2 requirement, making it ideal for beginner or low-tech aquariums. The plant is easy to grow with only medium lighting and basic fertilization using Easy Green liquid fertilizer, keeping setup requirements minimal.

Q: How do I propagate baby tears?

A: Baby tears is easily propagated by trimming off the top half and replanting it in another location. The original plant continues growing upward from where it was cut and may develop multiple branches, allowing you to multiply plants with minimal effort.

Q: What's the skill level for growing baby tears?

A: Baby tears is rated as medium skill level, though care is "very easy." It requires medium lighting of 20-35 PAR and basic Easy Green fertilization, making it suitable for aquarists with some experience seeking an easy-care, low-maintenance stem plant.

Q: Why is my baby tears turning yellow or brown?

A: With adequate lighting, yellowing or browning typically indicates nutrient deficiency. Test nitrate levels using a multi-test strip and dose with Easy Green all-in-one fertilizer until nitrate reaches 20-50 ppm to restore healthy coloration and plant growth.

Q: How deep should I plant baby tears?

A: Plant baby tears bunches at least 2 to 3 inches into the substrate, allowing substrate to cover some bottom leaves. Space bunches apart for adequate light and root growth, and use plant weights if bunches pop out of the substrate.

Q: What fertilizer does baby tears need?

A: Easy Green all-in-one liquid fertilizer is the recommended option, maintaining nitrate levels at 20-50 ppm. Baby tears' easy care requirements make it low-maintenance for fertilization compared to high-nutrient-demand aquatic plants.