Mimosa pudica – The Plant That Flinches When You Touch It
This isn’t just a houseplant—it’s living drama. The Mimosa pudica, also known as the Sensitive Plant or Touch-Me-Not, literally moves when touched. Give its delicate leaves a gentle poke, and they’ll fold up faster than a bad poker hand. Wait a few minutes, and they’ll reopen like nothing happened—just a bit of botanical sass.
Native to South and Central America, this tropical oddball has earned cult status for its reactive behaviour and feathery foliage. It’s photosensitive, too—closing its leaves at night and reopening with the sun. Basically, it’s got more personality than some people.
Keep it in bright indirect light, warm temps, and moist (but not soggy) soil, and it’ll keep performing its little leaf-folding trick for months. Bonus: it also produces small pink puffball flowers if it’s feeling flirty.
Perfect for: Kids, curious minds, houseplant collectors, and anyone who loves a bit of interactive weirdness in their greenery.
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Mimosa pudica - 9cm/15cm
Best Substrate for Mimosa pudica
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40% peat-free compost – for moisture retention and nutrients
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30% perlite – to ensure airflow and drainage (this is important to avoid soggy roots)
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20% coconut coir – lightens the mix and helps hold just the right amount of moisture
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10% worm castings – gives it a gentle nutrient kick without going overboard
Optional extras:
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A pinch of vermiculite if you tend to underwater
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A sprinkle of pine bark if you want to improve structure (but keep it fine-textured)
Water thoroughly when watering to mimic tropical jungle conditions. It is best practice to keep the soil humid but never soggy.
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