Mind-your-own-business (Soleirolia soleirolii) is a very small, but troublesome perennial lawn weed. It can become very difficult to control if allowed to spread onto a lawn. It often begins to grow in a shady, damp corner and easily spreads into the grass.
The latin name soleirolia literally means “one species” and the plant also has a latin synonym Helxine soleirolii. It is also called baby’s tears, angels tears, mother-of-thousands (in the USA), irish moss (although mind-your-own-business is not a moss) and the Corsican curse. Soleirolia is a genus in the Urticaceae family of flowering plants, more commonly known as nettles.
It is very common throughout the UK and Europe, originating from the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia. Mind-your-own-business can be a very decorative plant in the garden. Inhabiting cracks and crevices at the edges of of paths, softening hard landscaping and bringing a natural feel to cottage gardens. It seeds itself easily, spreads quickly and can regenerate from small pieces of stem left in the soil (vegetative reproduction). This is why the plant can be difficult to eradicate if allowed to spread into other areas of the garden.
How to identify mind-your-own-business weed
Mind-your-own-business (MYOB) is a small ground cover weed. It only grows up to 5cm (2 inches) high, well below mowing height of a normal lawn. Its numerous dark green leaves are round and only a few millimetres in diameter. It does flower, but the flowers are tiny and the seeds are microscopic. Most often it appears as a dense mat of plants.
In the UK, it generally stays green and grows all year round. Foliage may sometimes die back in very cold winters, but quickly grows again once warm weather returns. Most sources concur that it prefers damp conditions and even grows in swamps. In England it grows in damp, shady corners.
Control
The only way to control the weed without the use of chemicals is by hand weeding. Care must be take to remove as much as the plant as possible, as any left in the soil will grow a new plant. Re-visiting the area and clearing any re-growth will keep it in check effectively.
Mind-your-own-business is resistant to all known selective weedkillers, including those used by professional lawn care businesses. A strong total-kill weedkiller containing glyphosate can kill it, and damaging the plants by crushing or mowing will improve the effectiveness of the weedkiller. Note though that glyphosate WILL KILL GRASS AND OTHER PLANTS, so care of use is very much recommended. If using the total-kill method, you can sow new grass straight away. When re-seeding grass, be vigilant that MYOB is not re-sprouting in the area as the new grass is coming through.
If you have a problem with this troublesome weed in your lawn and live in the Exeter area, get in touch and I will be happy to advise.
Further reading
- Royal Horticultural Society
- Wikipedia – Soleirolia
- BBC Plant Finder
- Guide to houseplants – Growing Baby’s tears in a pot
- GardenersWorld.com – Soleirolia soleirolii
Hi I’ve got mind your own business in my lawn and surrounding areas do you Nowhere I can buy the stuff to kill it thanks
Sorry, it is resistant to herbicides.
I have got some MYOB in my lawn and would love to know how to get rid ok it any advice many thanks Allan Mac
Baby Tears in lawns its a nuisance , I have found a watered on dose of Iron Sulphate or ferrous Sulphate has the desired effect, up the dose until until it goes blackish . It does not affect the grass just makes it greener. It is usually used around acid loving plants so be careful where you put it..
Thanks for the tip. I will see if that works.