Sometimes called baby's tears (though unrelated to Soleirolia), Pilea depressa is a fast, fresh-green creeper of tiny succulent-like round leaves that carpets and trails beautifully in a terrarium.
Light
Bright, indirect light keeps it dense and compact; in low light it stretches and thins out. Keep it out of direct sun.
Water & humidity
Keep the substrate evenly moist. The little leaves store some water, so it's a touch more forgiving than true baby's tears, but it still shouldn't dry out fully.
In the terrarium
An excellent closed-terrarium carpeting and trailing plant. It grows quickly to soften hardscape and spill over edges, so trim it to keep it from swamping slower neighbours.
Origin & temperature
Pilea depressa is native to the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, where it creeps across warm, humid, shaded ground.
Temperature: 18–27 °C. Pet safety: Pilea species are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Propagation
Extremely easy: lay stem cuttings on damp substrate and they root from the nodes within a week or two.
Common problems
- Leggy, sparse growth = not enough light; move somewhere brighter.
- Browning = it dried out or the air is too dry; keep moist and humid.
Good companions
Pilea Depressa pairs well with plants that want the same conditions, a humid, closed terrarium with bright, indirect light. Here are some species that thrive alongside it:
→ Explore more matches with our Plant Pairing Tool.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pilea depressa the same as baby's tears?
It shares the nickname but isn't the same plant, true baby's tears is Soleirolia. Pilea depressa has slightly larger, thicker round leaves and is a little more forgiving.
Is it good for a closed terrarium?
Yes, it's a fast, reliable carpeting and trailing plant that thrives in the humidity of a closed build.
Care information is a general guide; conditions vary. Some links on this site are affiliate links that help support Terrarium Creations.