how do you care for a mimosa pudica plant

• Care Difficulty - Moderate
• Provide bright, indirect light with an hour of morning or evening sunlight.
• Maintain continual soil moisture due to the species' reduced ability to withstand droughts.
• Introduce a pebble tray to maintain high humidity, as well as to elongate the process of drying soil.
• Supplement at monthly intervals using a 'Houseplant' fertiliser.
• Although repotting isn't wholly necessary, recently-bought specimens may need to be placed in a bigger pot to accommodate the over-populated root systems.
• Mimosa pudica is classed as a biannual, meaning that specimens will rarely make it past two years. ...

Full Answer

How do you care for a Mimosa plant?

Mimosa pudica, commonly known as a sensitive plant, is a beautiful plant that folds its leaves in when you touch it. To grow a sensitive plant, first you'll need plant some sensitive plant seeds in a small flower pot. Keep the pot in an indoor room that gets plenty of sunlight, and water the soil whenever it starts to dry out so it's always damp.

What is the best temperature for Mimosa pudica?

Since it is a tropical plant, Mimosa pudica will grow best if nighttime temperatures are 70ºF (21ºC) or higher. If temperatures fall below 65ºF (18ºC), move the plant to a warmer room or keep the plant warm in other ways. Adult plants can survive temperatures as low as 40ºF (4.5 °C), but are at risk of damage or death.

How do you prune a Mimosa pudica?

You can prune a sensitive plant any time of the year. Since Mimosa pudica is a creeping plant, trim off trailing stems or train them to climb a trellis to keep the plant looking nice. Propagation is generally by seed or stem cuttings.

How often do you feed Mimosa pudica?

Average room temperatures of between 60°F and 85°F (16°C – 30°C) are ideal, and you should feed the Mimosa pudica every two weeks. Place on a bright windowsill for the best results. What is Mimosa Pudica (Sensitive Plant)? Mimosa pudica is a flowering perennial or annual plant (in some zones) in the botanical family Fabaceae.

Can you grow Mimosa pudica indoors?

A Mimosa Pudica, Sensitive Plant, produces small, pink, powder-puff like flowers in the summer. When kept indoors as a houseplant, a Sensitive Plant may never bloom but its leaves will still open and close. When used as a houseplant, a Sensitive Plant is not usually bothered by plant pests.

How do you care for a Mimosa indoors?

It thrives in high humidity and likes its soil to be constantly damp (but not soggy!). Place your plant near a humidifier if you have one, or mist regularly with a spray bottle and make sure you water regularly to prevent the soil drying out.

How do you keep a Mimosa plant alive?

0:112:06Basic Sensitive Plant Care (mimosa pudica) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt is sensitive every time you touch it it closes. It does utilize a lot of its energy every timeMoreIt is sensitive every time you touch it it closes. It does utilize a lot of its energy every time you touch it. So just be mindful not to touch it too much otherwise. It won't do so well so in terms

How long does Mimosa pudica live indoors?

By "sensitive plant" I believe the OP is referring to Mimosa pudica. This is a tropical evergreen subshrub normally grown here as a house plant. If given proper care, it could live indefinitely but generally will not tolerate temps lower than 65F. It is a common annual weed in many parts of the world.

Is it bad to keep touching sensitive plant?

Is it Bad to Touch a Touch-Me-Not Plant? Although one of its common names is the touch-me-not plant, Mimosa pudica is not harmed when touched, and it will not harm you either. It earned this particular nickname because of its rapid response to touch.

Why does my Mimosa pudica keep dying?

It's possible that your mimosa pudica is shriveling because it isn't getting enough water. Mimosas require a moderate amount of water, so you'll need to water them regularly. It's also possible that your plant is shriveling because it's in a too-hot or too-cold environment.

Where should I put my sensitive plant?

Sensitive plants need plenty of bright light. If the plant doesn't receive enough light, the leaves may close up and it won't be able to produce blooms. Set your plant in a sunny window that receives some direct sunlight. An east-facing window that gets morning sunlight is ideal for Mimosa pudicahouseplants.

When should you repot a sensitive plant?

It's considered invasive in warm-climate areas and will spread like a weed. Sensitive plant is fast growing. Repot when you see roots coming through the pot's drainage holes.

What happens if you touch touch-me-not plant?

Leaves of Mimosa pudica are sensitive. When touched the stimulus reaches the base of the leaf and the water in the vacuoles of the cells of the leaf loses water to the adjacent cell. All the water escapes the leaf which then becomes flaccid. This causes the leaves to close.

Should you touch Mimosa pudica?

Is it Bad to Touch a Touch-Me-Not Plant? Although one of its common names is the touch-me-not plant, Mimosa pudica is not harmed when touched, and it will not harm you either. It earned this particular nickname because of its rapid response to touch.

Is Mimosa pudica hard to grow?

Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) is an easy-to-care-for flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. With plenty of light and lots of water, even an amateur houseplant hobbyist can enjoy the delicate foliage and unique movement of sensitive plant in the home.

Is it good to keep touch me not plant at home?

The touch me not plant provides excellent ornamental value to any garden and can be kept in brightly lit areas of your home. According to Vastu, it is beneficial if this plant is kept in the North direction. This multi purpose plant is more than just a sensitive plant.

How often do you water a Mimosa?

Watering: Consistently moist but not soggy. Fertilizing: Diluted high-potassium liquid fertilizer every two weeks. Propagation: Seeds.

Why are my mimosa tree leaves turning yellow?

The most common cause is too much direct sunlight, which can cause the leaves to turn yellow or brown. Another possibility is that the plant is not getting enough water. If the leaves look wilted and droopy, that is a sign that the plant needs to be watered more frequently.

Is it good to keep touch me not plant at home?

The touch me not plant provides excellent ornamental value to any garden and can be kept in brightly lit areas of your home. According to Vastu, it is beneficial if this plant is kept in the North direction. This multi purpose plant is more than just a sensitive plant.

What will the Mimosa plant do if you touch it?

When the Mimosa pudica, commonly known as the sensitive plant, is touched by another organism, its leaves fold in upon themselves and its stems droop.

How to grow Mimosa pudica indoors?

Avoid exposing your Mimosa to the blazing sun during lunchtime. Watering: As usual with many indoor plants, Mimosa pudica likes it quite moist. Avoid that the plant dries out completely.

How does Mimosa pudica propagate?

Mimosa pudica is propagated by seed propagation. The propagation of this plant is very easy .

Why does Mimosa pudica shrink?

There are several theories on why Mimosa pudica reacts in this way. The most plausible ones are that the plant is trying to defend itself from herbivore attack that way. The shrinkage of the leaves makes the leaves smaller and when insects land on the leaves, the shrinkage is likely to make them move away (Amador-Vargas 2014: 1446).

How to keep humidity high in mimosas?

A humidity tray for your plant is another good way to keep the humidity high. Fertilizer: Mimosa pudica likes to be fed. Therefore, feel free to pamper your mimosa with nutrients once a week. Liquid fertilizer is most suitable for this purpose. You can simply add the liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water.

How cold should a mimosa plant be at night?

At night, your Mimosa would preferably want to stay in a location that is slightly colder (around 18 degrees is perfect). Humidity: Mimosa pudica likes high humidity. Since the humidity in your own four walls is often rather low, it is usually a good idea to mist the leaves of your plant on a regular basis.

Why is my mimosa plant swollen?

Cause: This is a sign that your plant has suffered cold damage. If you keep the plant outside, for example on the balcony, then it is possible that the temperature during the night or generally the temperature fluctuations have damaged your mimosa.

Why are my house plants' leaves turning yellow?

Cause: Yellow leaves on house plants are very often an indication that something is wrong with the water balance. Yellow leaves on house plants are very often an indication that something is wrong with the water balance. This also applies to Mimosa pudica. As so often, yellow leaves are an indication that your Sensitive plant is getting too much water. The yellow color may initially only be visible at the tips of the small leaves, but can then spread to the whole leaf.

What are the Growing Conditions of Mimosa Plants?

Now that know all about the fundamentals of the mimosa plant, now it’s time to learn how to care for one of your very own. Lucky for us gardeners, once these guys are planted, they are extremely easy to care for! There are just a few things to keep in mind:

What do Mimosa Plants Look Like?

Outside of their natural growing range, m pudica will usually be planted as annuals that will perish after a single flowering season, whereas within their natural growing range (zones 9 through 11) they can be planted as perennial plants .

How to grow Mimosa pudica?

Nick the tough exterior of the seeds with a sharp knife to improve germination success. Afterward, place the seeds in a well-draining potting medium and moisten. Cover the seeds with a small amount of soil and place the pot in a bright, warm location. Mimosa pudica seeds take about a week to germinate.

How to keep Mimosa pudica from creeping?

You can prune a sensitive plant any time of the year. Since Mimosa pudica is a creeping plant, trim off trailing stems or train them to climb a trellis to keep the plant looking nice.

Where is Mimosa pudica native?

Native to the tropics of Central and South America, Mimosa pudica is a species of creeping herb or shrub that is commonly called the sensitive plant for its intriguing leaf movement when touched. Tiny hairs line the leaves of a sensitive plant. These hairs are highly responsive to touch, temperature, and motion, folding inwards when triggered.

How to keep sensitive plants moist?

The sensitive plant cannot handle wet feet and will develop root rot if left sitting in excess water. As a general rule, water a sensitive plant once the top of the soil begins to dry out.

How to propagate a sensitive plant?

First, cut a branch with one leaf node and plant it in peat moss and perlite planting medium. Place it in a warm, bright spot, cover it with clear plastic in one to four weeks. Similarly, plant a seed in the same conditions.

How much sun do sensitive plants need?

Sensitive plants are not shade-tolerant plants. They require at least 8 hours of daylight and can tolerate full sun to partial shade. Place the plant directly in front or beside a bright sunny window. If the leaflets remain closed during the day, it indicates that the plant is not receiving enough light.

Do sensitive plants need fertilizer?

Sensitive plants occur naturally in nutrient-poor soil, so fertilization is generally not required. However, if desired, you can give the plant an extra boost during the growing season by applying a high-potassium liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every few weeks.

How to propagate sensitive plants?

Sensitive plant may be propagated by seed indoors any time of the year. Seeds are quite tough, and should be nicked with a knife to help improve germination success. Seeds may also be placed in hot water and soaked overnight.

How to get rid of pests on a plant?

Spraying the plant with a direct stream of water can help remove pests. Insecticidal soap sprays should not be used, as they can blacken the leaves, according to Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Care should be taken when handling the plant, as the stems have sharp spines.

Can you spray a house plant with soap?

Spraying the plant with a direct stream of water can help remove pests. Insecticidal soap sprays should not be used, as they can blacken the leaves, according to Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Care should be taken when handling the plant, as the stems have sharp spines. The plant also contains toxic alkaloids that can harm humans and animals if ingested.

How cold does Mimosa pudica grow?

Protect against cold. Since it is a tropical plant, Mimosa pudica will grow best if nighttime temperatures are 70ºF (21ºC) or higher. If temperatures fall below 65ºF (18ºC), move the plant to a warmer room or keep the plant warm in other ways.

How long does a Mimosa pudica flower last?

Watch its lifespan. Mimosa pudica can survive for at least two years in tropical climates, but are usually annual plants in temperate zones. Even if your plant survives after its first bloom (usually in summer), you may have better results letting it die and collecting its seeds for next spring.

How long does it take for a mimosa to sprout?

However, if temperatures are lower, it may take 21 to 30 days for Mimosa pudica to sprout.

Why are my Mimosa pudica leaves black?

This is another good reason to keep the plant indoors and away from any infected plants.

What plant moves when you touch it?

Have you ever seen a plant that moves when you tickle it? Mimosa pudica, also known as a sensitive plant, TickleMe Plant, touch-me-not, or shy plant, folds its leaves together when you touch it. Unlike most other fast-moving plants, this plant is not carnivorous. Growing sensitive plants is fairly easy if you start with a warm indoor space and plenty of seeds. Be careful: even though this is a tropical plant, it can invade gardens and fields in much cooler climates.

Why is my tropical plant browning?

Recheck the climatic factors. Does it have have enough light? Too much light? Water? Is it warm enough? Have you misted it lately? If you have it near a window and you live in a cold climate, even the windowsill is too cold for a tropical plant like this. If there is also any browning or roots coming out of the bottom, you may need to re-pot.

Is Mimosa Pudica pink or white?

Long story short, Mimosa Pudica has pink flowers.

How to care for a Mimosa pudica?

How to care for the Sensitive Plant (Mimosa Pudica): The sensitive plant grows well in bright, direct sun, in well-draining moist soil, and high humidity. Average room temperatures of between 60°F and 85°F (16°C – 30°C) are ideal, and you should feed the Mimosa pudica every two weeks. Place on a bright windowsill for the best results.

How to grow mimosa plants indoors?

Sensitive plants need high humidity levels to grow well indoors. There are three ways to get humidity levels right: Mist the leaves once or twice a day , use a humidifier to increase air moisture levels, or place your mimosa plant pot on a pebble tray with water.

Why are my Mimosa pudica leaves turning yellow?

So, remember that Mimosa pudica plants are sensitive to moisture. Over-watering or a lack of humidity can result in yellow leaves and weak growth.

How to control humidity in a plant?

Here is another care tip to control humidity levels for your sensitive plant—avoid putting a layer of decorative pebbles around on top of the soil. Although this helps keep the potting medium moist, it prevents evaporating moisture from reaching the sensitive leaves.

Why do mimosa plants fold?

The intriguing way the fern-like leaves respond to touch is why these mimosa plants have become so popular. Touching the leaflets causes them to fold together toward the stem. You can see the same effect if you blow on them or shake them.

Where do Mimosa pudicas live?

The native habitat of sensitive plants is the tropical countries of South and Central America. Usually, a household environment is just right for these tropical houseplants. The best way to care for your Mimosa pudica plant is to keep it away from cold drafts—air conditioning or open windows in winter—or heat sources—radiators or furnaces.

Is Mimosa a perennial or annual?

Mimosa pudica is a flowering perennial or annual plant (in some zones) in the botanical family Fabaceae. The sensitive plant is classified in the same family as peas, legumes, and beans. The fascinating feature of Mimosa pudica is the way its delicate green foliage responds to touch. The delicate leaves look like small fern leaves ...

When do mimosas bloom?

They bloom during summer, between April and July, and grow in clusters at the end of the branches.

How tall is a mimosa tree?

Mimosa is an extremely fast-growing deciduous tree. On average, it grows to a height of 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 m). Its bark is dark brown and has a smooth texture. The soft, green leaves of Mimosa look very similar to that of the fern plant. They are 5 – 8 inches (12.5 to 20 cm) in length and 3 – 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) in width.

How to keep a flowering tree from saturating?

Water the plant and soil enough, but not so much as to saturate it. Keep the area under the tree clean by sweeping away the fallen flowers and seed pods.

How many species of mimosa are there?

Mimosa is a genus that has more than 400 species of shrubs and herbs. Out of these, two species stand out because of their distinct characteristics. The Mimosa pudica, native to South America and southern Central America, displays a magical show of folding its leaves when touched or subjected to sunlight.

What type of soil do sage plants need?

The plant can grow on various soil types like clay, loam, and sandy soil . The soil should ideally be acidic, but mildly alkaline soil would suffice too. The plant is known to survive in droughts and hence requires little watering.

Can mimosas be planted in a garden?

If not taken care of, the need to spray insecticides might arise. Now that you know about the conditions favorable for growing a Mimosa and the preferable time to grow it, you can plant it in your garden, patio, or deck. The Mimosa can reproduce speedily and cover vast areas in a short period.

Can mimosas survive in shade?

Although it grows exceptionally well in bright and full sunlight, it can grow in partially shaded areas. The plant can grow on various soil types like clay, loam, and sandy soil. The soil should ideally be acidic, but mildly alkaline soil would suffice too. The plant is known to survive in droughts and hence requires little watering.