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The name 'Mind Your Own Business' is a common name given to the houseplant Soleirolia soleirolii. Another more common name is 'Baby's Tears'. The plants botanical name was previously Helxine soleirolii. The Latin name commemorates Captain Joseph Francois Soleirol (1796 - 1863 ) who collected this plant and other plants from Corsica in the western Mediterranean region. The common name 'mind your own business' originates from the fact the plant is of the creeping nature and spreads rapidly, often where it is not wanted. It belongs to the family Urticaceae, the same family in which the 'Stinging Nettle' belongs, although there is nothing stingy about this plant.
The plant is a tender, mat-forming herbaceous perennial. It spreads rapidly by sending out large numbers of thin, pinkish thread-like stems, each covered with tiny, 1/5 inch long, bright green, roundish leaves. The minute flowers on the plant have no ornamental value. In zone 10 where the plant can be grown out of doors, (it cannot stand frost), it is often used to fill in cracks between paving stones and flagstones. It is very suited to growing on dry walls and in rockeries, although care must be given to where it is planted, as its rapidly spreading habit can be very invasive. The plant needs light shade and an evenly moist soil to succeed out doors.
In the home, the plant is simply beautiful, forming hummocks of rich, green foliage that cascade over the edges of the pot. Many mistake the plant for some type of moss. Soleirolia soleirolii 'Aurea' has beautiful golden colored leaves which looks like sunshine if the correct light shines on the plant. Two other cultivars include 'Argentea' which has silvery colored leaves, and 'Variegata' which has silver edges on the leaves.
Give the plant bright, indirect light for it to be at its best, but never sit it in scorching sunlight. It will also tolerate dappled shade to moderate shade.
Baby's Tears will grow nicely under normal household temperatures, with nights in the 55 - 65°F range and daytimes near 70 to 75°F. In winter, the temperature must not fall below 45°F.
The most critical part in taking care of the plant is to never let it dry out. The soil must be constantly moist or the fleshy stems and leaves are apt to collaspe and die. On the other hand, the plant will not stand overly wet, soggy soil either. Just moist. Humidity trays should be provided and the foliage should be misted frequently during hot, dry spells.
The plant can be fed every second or third week with a diluted solution of 10-10-10 water soluble fertilizer. Never fertilize the plant when it is dormant, over dry or after being freshly potted.
Propagation of the plant is very simple. All that is necessary is to tear off small rooted pieces of the plant and place them on top of moist compost in a pot. Use 4 or 5 inch pots to start new plants. A good potting soil consists of ordinary potting soil with about 1/3 more peat moss added, as well as some perlite for drainage and bonemeal to supply needed nutrients. ( 2 tablespoonfulls of bonemeal per gallon of soil ). The plants may be repotted in spring if necessary, but because they are so easy to propagate from little clumps of the plant, it is often best to keep some new plants coming. The old plants do not last forever, as they begin to look worn and tired. Once the new plant is well established, chuck the old one.
