Mimosa pudica
(Humble Plant, Sensitive Plant, Tickle-Me-Not, Tickle Me Plant, Tickleme Plant)
Origin: Native of South and central America
Family: Mimosaceae
Light: Sun-part shade
Height: 1-3'
Spacing: 15-36"
Blooms: Pink, round, soft, axilliary, mid-Summer
Foliage: Pinnately compound, fern-like, small, green
Fruits: Clusters of 2-8 seedpods. brown and dry when ripe, contains pale brown seeds with hard seedcoats
Soil: Well-drained, neutral
Water: Low
Uses: Foliage, ground covers, bonsai, containers, houseplant
Propagation: Seeds, herbaceous stem cuttings
Caution: Plant is thorny - wear gloves when handling. Plant can be invasive. Parts of plant poisonous - do not eat
Comments: Mimosa pudica or Humble Plant or Sensitive Plant or Tickle-Me-Not or Tickle Me Plant or Tickleme Plant is a low-growing tropical herbaceous plant with a creeping growth habit. It is a native of South and Central America. In mid-Summer, Mimosa pudica produces lovely round, fluffy pink blossoms arising from leaf axils, followed later by clusters of seedpods at base of stems. Wind and insects help pollinate the seeds. The slender, thorny stems are erect when young and as they age, they become creeping. Humble Plant has interesting foliage that folds up at night and reopens during the day. The leaves are very sensitive to touch or when brushed will fold up, hence the common name Sensitive Plant. Humble Plant is easily propagated from seeds, sown from mid-Winter to Spring. The seeds germinate well in well-drained, sandy soil with sphagnum moss added and after germination, transfer to potting soil. Tickle-Me-Not Plant enjoys a sunny to part shade location. It can be cultivated in a container as a houseplant or grown as a bonsai. Sensitive Plant root extract had been used in folklore medicine to prevent early baldness, PMS, skin problems and various other ailments; it is said to contain anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antibotic, antimicrobial, antiprolifertie and apoptotic properties. It is also a tonic, and an emetic and an expectorant for kids and it promotes cell growth. As a child, I remember playing with this novelty plant often by touching the leaves and watch them close and open afterwards and was really fascinated by it. Mimosa pudica would be an interesting plant for kids to experiment with their sense of touch and it is such a delight to see the look of curiosity in their eyes...but be careful of the thorns!
USDA Zones: 11
JennysGarden.com...Plants
images
and gardening descriptions of Mimosa pudica (Humble Plant, Sensitive Plant, Tickle-Me-Not, Tickle Me Plant, Tickleme Plant) growing in
Jenny's Garden
