Seeds of Sensitive plant, touch-me-not (Mimosa pudica)
Sensitive plant from seed
The sensitive plant folds its leaflets the moment you touch it: an electrical signal travels to small joints at the base of each leaflet, which lose water pressure and collapse. Within a few minutes they open again, and they also fold up at night. Children love it. About three months after germination it adds fluffy pink-purple pompom flowers.
Pretreatment
soak 24 hours; nick seeds that do not swell
Germination
about 2-3 weeks, warm
Flowering
about 3 months from germination
Seed
flat, light brown, 2.5-3 mm, hard coat
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How to sow
- The seed has a hard coat.
- Soak it for 24 hours, and gently nick or rub with sandpaper any seeds that have not swollen.
- Sow in a warm place; seedlings usually appear in two to three weeks.
- The stems are prickly, so handle the plants with care.
Growing in Europe
In Europe grow it as a houseplant on a bright, warm windowsill, where it stays compact at about 30 cm, though trailing stems can reach 1.5 m. Water regularly and keep it away from cold draughts. In warm climates it is a declared weed in parts of Australia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, so grow it in a pot there and do not plant it out.
Questions
Why does Mimosa pudica close when touched?
An electrical signal reaches small joints at the leaflet bases, which lose water pressure and fold. They reopen within minutes.
Do sensitive plant seeds need soaking?
Yes. Soak them for 24 hours and nick any seeds that have not swollen.
Can I grow the sensitive plant indoors?
Yes. It does well on a bright, warm windowsill and flowers about three months after germination.