Seeds – Mimosa pudica

Description

Planting/Growing Mimosa pudica Discussion:

I have never had an issue with germinating heirloom mimosa pudica seeds. My experience with trying to plant the seeds that are sold in large quantities, which are used by many as a supplement, has not gone so well. I haven’t been able to get a single one to ever germinate!

I have been growing mimosa pudica for over five years not and it has been a delight! The children love it! They carefully touch the leaf of mimosa, and the branches instantly fold down to the ground. I sometimes wonder if my mimosa plants begin to recognize me, allowing me to touch them without any reaction!

Mimosa pudica is also called “Sensitive Plant”, “Tickle Me Plant”, “Shy Plant”, and “Touch Me Not’. They really spread out, have very tiny leaflets, and a thorned stem. Once you see how many seeds they produce, you will understand why they are so invasive! The plant may be grown outdoors as an annual in USDA zones 2 to 8.

Mimosa is native to the tropics, and it prefers temperatures over 70 degrees. As you will see, it grows slowly until summer sets in and it is hot, even at night. At this point, growth is very fast, until fall begins to set in. To promote indoor growth, place the plant in the warmest spot possible.

They may be started indoors until threat of the frost passes. We have always planted them after frost, outdoors. They have always grown well and fully matured and producing seed every year. It is very easy to grow. They are also grown by others, throughout the year, with grow lights. As far as the best potting soil to use, any standard potting mix will do.

We are told to scarify this seed or soak it overnight. This can be done by bringing water to a boil, pouring it over your seeds and allowing it to sit for 24 hours before planting. To scarily is to use a tool, like tweezers, to rub the seed carefully on sandpaper, to whittle away at the outer seedcoat. 

Keep the soil moist but do not overwater. If you aren’t sure how to do that, simply place the pot in a dish of water and allow it to sit for 10 minutes and the soil will soak up more than what it needs. Be sure to remove it afterwards, as it will have all that is needed.

While planting seeds of mimosa, it may be best to cover the pot with a plastic covering and secure it with a rubber band. Once the seedling appears and breaks through the soil, remove the plastic. If you are taking cuttings or propagating, cover the plant with plastic, to lock in humidity. Mimosa may germinate faster in the humidity that the plastic covering maintains.

They are also easily propagated by clipping a stem down past a node, dipping the root into a rooting hormone, and placing the plant into a small hole in fresh soil.

To care for your mimosa plants, transplant them when they are ready, to a larger pot of soil. You can also train to follow a trellis or allow it to spread over the ground. Mimosa produces one of the most beautiful flowers. It resembles a bright pink pompom, made up of hundreds of spiky, feathery filaments, which have a pure, white dot on each. We are told to rub our fingers around each flower, which will pollinate them, ensuring an abundant seed harvest later! The flower will die off and there will be a stub left behind that resembles a Qtip. Leave them, and a seed pod will burst out of them. To harvest your seed, allow the seed heads to turn brown.

The whole plant is edible.

We carry Mimosa pudica tinctures, colloidal tinctures, glycerites, herbal tea, loose powder, and capsules, elsewhere on this site. To purchase one, or to read about the possible benefits of Mimosa pudica, Click Here. We also have a hydrosol, made from steam distilled Mimosa pudica, which you can find by Clicking Here.