However, when it comes to watering, Mimosa pudica attaches great importance to an adequate water regimen. as a houseplant indoors, it won’t thrive outdoors unless it’s in a tropical or These plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. Leaflets remaining closed during the day is an indication that sensitive plants are not receiving enough light. possible to take stem cuttings to propagate new sensitive plants, growing The reason the sensitive plant closes its leaves at night and “goes to sleep” is also a mystery. small, globular blooms. So you can plant two or three seeds in the same small-sized pot or plant As for the mechanism that’s responsible for the closing and reopening motion of the leaflets, sensitive plant leaves have a hinge-like structure called a “pulvinus” containing specialized motor cells that work in opposition to each other. find with a moist cloth. Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) is an easy-to-care-for, flowering plant in the pea/legume family Fabaceae. The Sensitive plant - Mimosa pudica - is most often grown as a houseplant and it has feathery fronds which respond, when touched, by folding up. seedlings, and once it is well established, repot it in a 5-inch (13-cm) pot. ideal conditions. 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. Mimosa Pudica and Gut Health I wrote above that our interest in Mimosa pudica was primarily in its effectiveness as a potent natural anti-parasite treatment . liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the spring-summer growing season. Sensitive plants are also susceptible to other common houseplant pests such as mealybugs and thrips. receives some direct sunlight. carnivorous Venus flytrap. Propagating sensitive plants by seed is the most reliable way to grow new plants. Mimosa pudica need full sun to partial shade to thrive. Since you don’t want the soil your Directly in front or beside a bright sunny window is a perfect location for sensitive plants. Its delicate foliage and the movement of its leaves are some of the most attractive aspects of the sensitive plant. Nastic movement is the non-directional mechano-sensory response to stimuli, and it’s completely different from common plant growth movements (tropisms) that depend on the direction of a stimulus such as light or water and that permanently change the plant as it develops and matures. After learning the details about each of the care issues summarized here, you’ll find answers to further questions about the sensitive plant and its care that haven’t been previously covered in any of the sections. remain consistently moist while providing good aeration and drainage to prevent its potting mixture kept moist at all times, it is a suitable plant for growing To prevent Sensitive plants need a temperature range of 60-85 F (16-30 C) to germinate, sustain healthy growth, and produce flowers. making sure the pot is sitting above the water level such that the water won’t Learn how to grow the sensitive plant indoors as a houseplant below. Before going into the details of how to care for a sensitive plant, an introduction to Mimosa pudica and the fascinating phenomenon of nastic movement that it exhibits is in order. The mimosa pudica is used as alternative medicine to a variety of conditions. With plenty of light and lots of water, even an amateur houseplant hobbyist can enjoy the sensitive plant in their home too. While it is most commonly grown indoors as a houseplant, Mimosa pudica can be grown outdoors in warmer areas, but it should be done with caution. The plant’s dainty fern-like leaves are made up of matching pairs of oblong-shaped leaflets that have tiny hairs on their surfaces as well as along the margins. These develop into flat pods containing between one and While it has a lot to offer as a houseplant, with its feathery compound leaves and pretty powder puff flowers, it’s the amazing leaf action that makes this tropical plant so intriguing: At the slightest touch, the leaflets will quickly close together! Because the sensitive plant likes to have Mimosa pudica plants grow best in soil that is well-draining but rich in organic material. Mimosa pudica seeds take about a week to germinate. You can make an excellent seeding mixture with 2 parts compost, 2 parts coconut coir fiber or well-rotted leaf mold, and 1 part perlite or sand. Or, Mimosa pudica extract shows potent antioxidant potential since every part of the plant contains phytochemicals and is especially rich in flavonoids and phenolics. By using The Spruce, you accept our, How to Grow and Care for String of Dolphins, Crossandra (Firecracker Flower) Plant Profile. However, this plant is also shown to grow in scalped and eroded subsoils. Mimosa Pudica is a beautiful plant with thin stems and fuzzy leaves that are known for their movements. plants from seed is so quick and easy that it is the most common method of Give them an hour or so and they'll open again. Excluding Formula 1, all other supplements should be kept at least 1 hour away from Mimosa Pudica. Botanists are a bit confounded, though, because this rapid plant movement requires a lot of energy as well as interfering with photosynthesis. So it only requires half-strength Regular pruning will keep your sensitive They are more likely to germinate if you weaken this coating. The sensitive plant cannot handle ‘wet feet’ and will develop root rot if left sitting in excess water. sensitive plant potting soil, you can create a good mixture by using two parts smartgardenguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other Amazon stores worldwide. Sensitive plants grown as houseplants tend Native to the tropics of Central and South America, Mimosa pudica is a species of creeping herb or shrub that is commonly referred to as the “sensitive plant” due to the intriguing movement of its leaves. types of nastic movement. For centuries, mimosa pudica was vital in eliminating certain parasitic worms from the human body. This folding in of leaves at night and reopening in the morning is controlled by the plant’s phytochromes, or light receptors, along with its circadian clock – so the plant appears to be going to sleep every night and waking up again in the mornings. Or, instead of using a humidifier, Mimosa Pudica Anti Venom Activity: An interesting study was done on the anti venomous activity of … Cover the seeds with a small amount of soil and place the pot in a bright, warm location. circulation in the area. Place the seeds on Unless your house is particularly dry, the average household humidity should be sufficient for a sensitive plant. humidity to thrive. delicate, pale pink or lavender flowers in mid-summer to early autumn that Just don’t forget that a plant set near a window may experience a nighttime drop in temperature that could weaken the plant and prohibit it from blooming. The sensitive plant has also been studied extensively by botanists interested in plant habituation and habitual learning. It has proven to have excellent soil-purifying qualities and has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. trailing habit, consider placing a trellis in the pot with your plant for These hairs are very sensitive to touch, motion, and temperature, and when stimulated, each pair of leaflets close together in a fan-like motion. Before using Mimosa Pudica, inform your doctor about your current list of medications, over the counter products (e.g. established in the small starter pot or seed tray, repot it in a medium sized If you already have a plant, simply allow the pods to mature and dry Rhizome Vs Root - What Is The Difference? The scientific name Mimosa pudica is derived from the And these hairs are extremely responsive to touch, temperature, and Smart Garden Guide is website! 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