Soleirolia

Family. Urticaceae.

Origin. islands of the Mediterranean Sea.

Description. Soleirolia or Helxina is a fast-growing groundcover perennial plant with thin, creeping, rooting pink or green, multi-branched fragile stems and small, round glossy leaves of light green, green or yellowish color, only about 0.6 cm in diameter. The flowers are inconspicuous, pinkish-white, appear in summer in good light. Forms dense, attractive soft mats that completely hide the soil, which often spill over the edge of the pot.

Height. up to 15 cm.

Caring at home

Reproduction

Divide your indoor plant into small pieces when repotting. Stem cuttings.

How to replant

Repot in spring when the bush outgrows its pot. For planting Soleirolia, choose a wide, shallow pot with large drainage holes.

Soil 

Nutritious, with sufficient organic matter, constantly moist but well drained, containing a large amount of peat and moss.

Flowering time

Buds form in summer, but at home flowering occurs quite rarely - only with proper care.

Diseases and pests 

Among the diseases, the development of root rot is possible due to waterlogging and stagnation of water in the pan. The shoots become bare and the foliage turns yellow due to uneven watering. 

Of the insect pests, soleirolia is attacked by whiteflies and aphids, and spider mites.

Irrigation

The plant loves high humidity. Water deeply and often in the summer, but reduce watering in the winter (keep the soil slightly moist).

Care, pruning

An attractive plant with its own care requirements. It does not tolerate direct sunlight, high temperatures, dry or waterlogged soil with poor drainage. The shoots hanging over the edge of the pot do not grow very long, as they need contact with the ground. Trim the Soleirolia with scissors at any convenient time to maintain a neat, compact shape.

Containment temperature

Prefers moderately warm conditions with temperatures around 16 - 20° C during the day, and 10 - 14° C at night. It does not tolerate frosts. 

Lighting

Feels comfortable in the shade, but prefers bright, reflected light. Direct sunlight can cause burns on the leaves. 

Fertilizer

Every 2 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength.

Spraying

Requires moist air, periodically spray with soft water at room temperature. Plants require well-ventilated rooms with constant air movement, but without cold drafts. 

Purpose

A beautiful groundcover that looks great under tall bushes in pots or hanging baskets, Soleirolia is often grown in florariums and bottle gardens.