Horti Tops® Mimosa Pudica

€ 2,19 (incl. VAT where applicable)

Mimosa Pudica (Mimosa pudica) is a beautiful flowering plant. Sow indoors from January to December. Expected height: 40 cm.

10 in stock (can be backordered)

Mimosa Pudica (Mimosa pudica)

Touch-sensitive leaves: Fold when touched – instant fascination

Educational plant: Perfect for teaching children about plants

Pink powder-puff flowers: Delicate and pretty

The Plant That Moves

The sensitive plant performs magic – touch its leaves and they fold shut instantly, recovering after a few minutes. This never fails to delight children and adults alike. The mechanism is a rapid change in water pressure in special cells at the base of each leaflet.

Why It Moves

The response is thought to deter herbivores – the sudden movement startles them, and the folded leaves expose thorns on the stem. Some theories suggest the movement also shakes off insect pests.

Pretty Flowers Too

Beyond the fascinating foliage, sensitive plant produces lovely pink powder-puff flowers in summer. The delicate, ball-shaped blooms are quite pretty, though the touch-sensitive leaves remain the main attraction.

Growing Tips

Start indoors – seeds need warmth to germinate. Grow as a houseplant or summer annual outdoors. Needs warmth and humidity. In its native tropics it is a weed; elsewhere it behaves as a tender annual. Warning: can become invasive in tropical climates.