How Does Mimosa Pudica Survive Winter? Detailed Winter Care Methods

Mimosa pudica is a flower whose leaves fold up when touched, just like a little girl, and it is very interesting to grow. So how does mimosa pudica survive winter?

1. How does mimosa pudica survive winter?

1. Watering requirements

Mimosa pudica is a flowering plant native to the tropics that loves moisture, and it prefers a warm, humid environment. In summer, keep the potting soil moist, but not too dry; in winter, reduce the amount of watering to prevent frost damage.

2. Soil requirements

Mimosa pudica does not have high soil requirements, and most soils can meet its needs. However, it is recommended to use a loose, fertile humus mixed soil, because this soil has good water permeability, which helps its growth.

3. Light requirements

Mimosa pudica loves light, so in winter it should be placed on a sunny windowsill for care. Insufficient light can easily cause the mimosa pudica to turn yellow and wither.

4. Temperature requirements

It has relatively high temperature requirements. In winter, the temperature should be maintained above 10 degrees; at low temperatures below 10 degrees, the plant will wither and die. In the depths of winter, it can be moved indoors for growing, and be sure to keep it away from air conditioners and heaters. Of course, it can also be grown in a greenhouse, and a layer of plastic film can be added at the base of the mimosa pudica, with some heating equipment used to regulate the temperature.

5. Fertilizer requirements

Mimosa pudica is not particularly strict about fertilizer. We can give it a dilute fertilizer solution once every ten days or half a month, which will meet its needs.

2. Why is mimosa pudica shy?

The reason the leaves of mimosa pudica appear shy is mainly a physiological phenomenon, and it is also the result of mimosa pudica's long-term adaptation to the external environment during its phylogenetic development. Because mimosa pudica originated in tropical regions, where there are many violent storms, when a storm moves the leaflets, it immediately closes its leaves to protect them from being damaged by the storm, and thus this physiological phenomenon gradually formed.

At the base of the leaf stalk of mimosa pudica there is a swollen organ called the “pulvinus”. Inside the pulvinus there are many parenchyma cells, and these cells are highly sensitive to external stimuli. Once any part of the mimosa pudica is touched, the stimulus is transmitted to the pulvinus. After the pulvinus receives the signal, the cell sap in the parenchyma cells begins to flow into the intercellular spaces, reducing the cells' ability to swell, and the pressure between the cells in the lower part of the pulvinus decreases, thus causing the leaves to close and the leaf stalk to droop. After 1-2 minutes, the cell sap gradually flows back into the pulvinus, and the leaves then return to their original appearance. This is why mimosa pudica closes up.