Growing Sensitive Plant Mimosa Garden Seeds

For earliest blooms, begin Sensitive Plant mimosa seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before final frost date. Seeds will quickly germinate in 5-10 days with full lighting and, once germinated, move to fluorescent grow light until two sets of true leaves have developed. Transplant seedlings to indoor container or pot and harden off if transplanting outside. Mimosa seeds can also be sown directly once the frost has passed. Plant 2-3 Sensitive Plant mimosa seeds ¼ inch deep and 15 inch apart in Organically-rich, consistently moist, and well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Sensitive Plant mimosa thrives in well-drained soil and can be susceptible to leaf spots, mold, and stem rot. Plants will benefit from partial shade during severe summers and are not tolerant of arid gardens prone to drought conditions. Mimosa is susceptible to spider mites and the mimosa webworm, which are each noticeable because the leaves will close and retract from the contact and/or webbing of the insects. Sensitive Plant mimosa seeds mature in their 2nd year as 12-24 inch shrubby uprights with a 12-15 inch wide spread covered in delicate 1 inch silky pink "pom-pom" shaped blooms.

Mimosa pudica is native to the warm perennial tropics of South and Central America, but have been found thriving in similar climates in the South Pacific and United States. Mimosa pudica is an internationally famous plant because it is seismonastic or, responds to physical touch and movements, and at night, the leaves will also fold and bend in a reaction to the darkness. It is said that, at night, the leaves assume a folded or sleeping posture. When the plant is touched or in response to applying heat, the leaves can move very rapidly, and the plant can snap its leaves shut. But too much heat and pressure will cause the leaf to wilt altogether.