A Detailed Guide to Growing and Caring for the Sensitive Plant
The sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) is a perennial herb or subshrub in the legume family (Fabaceae). It has a loose, spreading form with delicate, fine pinnate leaves, and its flowers, leaves and seed pods all have good ornamental value. It is robust, fast-growing and relatively easy to keep alive, making it a suitable potted flowering plant for balconies and indoors, and it can also be grown in courtyards and other places. Let's take a look at how to grow the sensitive plant!
Growing Habits of the Sensitive Plant
The sensitive plant is native to tropical America, and in China it is distributed in Taiwan, China, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and other places. It grows in open wasteland and shrub thickets, and is often cultivated for ornamental purposes in the Yangtze River basin. It prefers a warm, humid environment with plenty of sunlight, and thrives in well-drained sandy loam rich in organic matter. The plant is robust, grows quickly and has strong adaptability.
Propagating the Sensitive Plant by Seed
The sensitive plant has a taproot system with very few fibrous roots, so it is best propagated by seed, and it is best to sow the seeds directly in place to avoid damaging the roots when transplanting. If transplanting is unavoidable, it should be done at the seedling stage, otherwise the plant will struggle to survive. Sensitive plants grown as annuals are generally sown indoors in early spring. You can sow directly in a small pot, or raise seedlings in a shallow tray and then transplant them separately. For the sowing soil, mix 2 parts leaf mold, 3 parts garden soil and 5 parts fine yellow sand, sifted together. When sowing, first fill the pot with an appropriate amount of growing medium, level and firm it, then water thoroughly with a watering can. Once the water has fully drained through, sow immediately. For direct sowing in a small pot, sow 1 to 2 seeds per pot; if raising seedlings in a shallow tray, sow in spots at a spacing of 2 x 2 cm. After sowing, cover with 3 to 5 cm of soil, just enough to cover the seeds. Cover the pot with glass or plastic wrap to retain moisture, and place it in a spot with bright, indirect light at around 20°C. From then on, when the soil in the pot looks dry, water it using the bottom-watering method. After about 7 to 10 days, the seeds will germinate and sprout.
How to Grow the Sensitive Plant
1. Thinning and transplanting seedlings: when the sensitive plant seedlings reach 3 cm tall, those sown in a shallow tray can be thinned and transplanted. Transplant them with the soil around their roots, otherwise they will struggle to survive. After watering the newly potted seedlings thoroughly, place them first in partial shade, and once they have recovered, move them to a spot with plenty of sunlight. Seedlings sown directly in a small pot can be left to grow in full sunlight. Once the plants have grown larger, they can be repotted once more, but the pot should not be too large; generally, planting them out into a medium-sized 15 to 20 cm flower pot is enough.
2. Water regularly: the sensitive plant is originally a tropical plant and likes a humid environment, so the potting soil should be kept moist at all times. In summer, water according to the condition of the potting soil, roughly once a day; do not let the soil dry out. You can also mist the plant regularly. In winter, reduce watering to prevent cold damage.
3. Choosing soil: the sensitive plant is not demanding about soil and ordinary garden soil will do. However, if you want it to grow better, choose a looser, more fertile soil. You can mix leaf mold with sandy soil, or use leaf mold alone; humus soil is also a good choice.
4. Plenty of sunlight: the sensitive plant likes sunlight, so it is best placed on a sunny balcony or by a window. Plenty of exposure to sunlight is good for its growth; too little sunlight may hinder its growth.
5. Preventing cold damage: the sensitive plant is suited to growing in a warm environment, ideally between 20°C and 28°C. If the temperature is too low, it stops growing. In winter, because the temperature is too low, water less to avoid cold damage to the roots and stems. Watering should be done when the temperature is higher during the day. If the temperature drops below 10°C, it is best to provide some protective measures.
6. Preventing pests and diseases: the sensitive plant generally has few pests and diseases. The most common pest is the slug; if you find any, you can scatter some lime powder to control them. If the plant is not growing well, check whether it is getting insufficient light or not enough water.
7. Reasonable fertilizing: the sensitive plant only needs fertilizing once a month, but some people think a potted sensitive plant looks unattractive when it grows too large; those who think so should simply not fertilize it.