Pilea glauca 'Aquamarine' (Grey Baby Tears) problems — and how to fix them

Soggy, airless soil is the most common cause of death. Stems blacken and collapse at the base. Let the top layer dry, use a gritty free-draining mix and a pot with drainage.

Usually low humidity or the soil drying out fully. Raise humidity (pebble tray, humidifier, terrarium) and keep moisture even, especially in heated winter rooms.

Too little light makes the wiry stems stretch and thin. Move to brighter indirect light and pinch or trim the tips to encourage a fuller, bushier mound.

Watch for spider mites (favoured by dry air), mealybugs, aphids and scale. Rinse the foliage, isolate the plant and treat with insecticidal soap or neem; inspect regularly given the dense growth.

Often signals inconsistent watering, either too much or too little. Check the rootball moisture and settle into a steady routine rather than soaking and forgetting.