How to Grow a Mimosa Pudica
Mimosa pudica is also known as the tickle-me plant or the sensitive plant, because the leaves close up when touched. The reasons are unknown but one theory is that closed leaves make the plant look unattractive to herbivores. The fern-like leaves reopen a few minutes after they have been touched. Mimosa pudicas are tropical plants that are usually grown indoors. They have globe-like flowers that are most often purple. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Soak the seeds in warm water for three to four hours. They have a hard coating that makes them difficult to sprout otherwise.
-
2
Fill a small pot with two parts peat moss, two parts loam and one part perlite. Sow the seed 1/8 inch under the soil, in the spring.
-
-
3
Place the pot in a warm spot where it receives plenty of sunlight. Keep the soil evenly moist until the seeds germinate in approximately 14 days.
-
4
Fertilize the plant weekly with half-strength balanced liquid fertilizer during the late spring and summer. Flower will appear in mid- to late-summer.
-
5
Keep the plant in a warm spot throughout the winter months and continue to fertilize monthly during the dormant season.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Re-pot the plants in a larger container when they reach 1 foot tall. You can use sand in place of perlite. Do not allow the temperature to drop below 65 degrees F or the leaves will begin to yellow.
References
- Photo Credit Christa Richert/sxc.hu
