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Soleirolia is a genus of creeping plants that has 3 species, the most popular of which is Soleirolia soleirolii , commonly called bridal mattress, angel’s tears, mother of a thousand or bridal bed moss. It is a very useful plant for upholstering surfaces due to its rapid growth and although it is not very demanding with its care, we cannot place it anywhere.

If you want to learn how to care for a soleirolia, what its characteristics are and how to reproduce it, join us in this AgroCorrn article where you will see a complete guide on soleirolia care .

You may also be interested in: Holly care
Index
  1. Characteristics of the soleirolia
  2. Weather for the sunroom
  3. Soleirolia light and location
  4. Irrigation of the soleirolia
  5. Soil and compost from soleirolia
  6. How to reproduce soleirolia

Characteristics of the soleirolia

These are the main characteristics of the soleirolia plant :

  • It is a small plant, with small stems that rarely exceed 10 cm in height. If you like plants like this, here you can see 16 small plants: names, characteristics and photos .
  • It is native to the Mediterranean area, where it grows naturally in shady and humid areas.
  • Decoratively, the plant is highly valued for its small, bright green leaves that form very beautiful compact tapestries, recalling its appearance to that of moss. For this reason, it is used as an alternative to grass on occasions, although soleirolia cannot be located in areas that are going to be stepped on, since it does not support it and dies.
  • Its flowers are small and very inconspicuous, so they do not have a great impact on its value as an ornamental plant.
  • Its care is not difficult or too demanding, but the plant does not tolerate certain conditions that must be taken into account.

Weather for the sunroom

This creeping or upholstery plant has a mild Mediterranean climate and does not tolerate high temperatures or strong frosts. It can withstand occasional light frosts, although prolonged or intense frosts will kill the aerial part of the plant. Of course, it is most likely that it will re-sprout without problems the following spring.

Indoors, the ideal is to keep it in an area with a stable temperature above 5 ºC. If you want plants that are more resistant to low temperatures and that serve to cover surfaces, read this other article in which we collect several cold-resistant upholstery plants .

Soleirolia light and location

The bridal mattress does not tolerate direct sun exposure. Therefore, it is important to place it in a bright place but protected from direct exposure . For example, shady or semi-shaded gardens are a very suitable option, as well as bright rooms but in which light does not enter directly through their windows. If the soleirolia is exposed to an intense sun, its leaves and stems are most likely to burn and blacken, its aerial part dying immediately as in the case of frost.

If it is planted indoors, the plant needs pots or containers without drainage holes, which help it to maintain humidity. In the case of not having these, place a plate under the pot that accumulates water and humidity. Outdoors, remember to look for a secluded area that will not be stepped on, as it does not have the resistance of grass.

Irrigation of the soleirolia

Along with its location in shade or semi-shade, watering is the most important care for this beautiful upholstery plant. Soleirolia is very demanding with humidity and watering , and it needs its soil or substrate to be always humid.

If you have it in a pot with drainage holes and a plate underneath, water the plate directly , letting the soil absorb moisture naturally and allow it to reach the plant. If you have used a container without drainage, water over it without problems, trying to moisten the soil abundantly, but never water it. The plant responds much better to irrigations with water without lime.

Here you can learn more about when to water plants .

Soil and compost from soleirolia

As its roots are very shallow, the plant is not demanding at all with the organic matter in its soil. Any loose soil or substrate that offers good drainage will suffice . You can use universal substrate and add a quarter of coarse sand to it so that the soil aerates and drains better.

Regarding the compost, it will be sufficient to apply mineral fertilizer every 15 days in the warm months , or add some worm cast to the soil in those months.

How to reproduce soleirolia

Reproducing the soleirolia is very simple thanks to its superficial root system and the rapid growth of the plant.

  1. Remove a section of the plant with its soil carefully, and you will see that the roots are short and take very little substrate with them. You can separate it with the same hands, trying to damage the plant very little.
  2. Divide the removed patch into as many fractions as you want to multiply your plant.
  3. Prepare small pots without drainage with properly hollowed universal substrate and with the addition of coarse sand.
  4. Place the separate pieces of soleirolia on the new substrate, and press it lightly on it so that the roots come into contact with their new soil.
  5. Store abundantly and place the containers in shade or semi-shade, where they will quickly root and begin to grow. For example, the windows of bathrooms and kitchens where the sun does not shine are a very typical location for soleirolias.

If you want to read more articles similar to Soleirolia care , we recommend that you enter our Growing and plant care category .

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