How much does a mimosa plant cost? A full guide to growing it

The mimosa plant, also known as sensitive plant, touch-me-not, shy plant and so on, is a perennial herb or subshrub of the genus Mimosa in the Fabaceae family. Unlike ordinary plants, when touched by people its leaf stalks droop and its leaflets close up. It has very high ornamental value and is relatively easy to keep alive, making it suitable as a potted flower for balconies and indoors, and it can also be grown in courtyards and other places. Now let us take a look at mimosa plant prices and growing methods together!

How much does a mimosa plant cost per pot?

A potted mimosa plant costs about 10 to 20 yuan per pot, but prices vary greatly depending on the size and quality of the pot and the market where it is bought. Mimosa is now mostly grown as an ornamental plant in the home. Its plant form is loose and spreading, its feathery leaves are slender, and it closes as soon as it is touched. Its flowers are numerous and elegant, delicate and charming, giving people an impression of daintiness and grace. It can be planted in the ground at a courtyard corner, or potted on a windowsill or desk.

Propagation methods for mimosa

1. Propagation method: Mimosa is a taproot plant with very few fibrous roots, so it is suitable for propagation by sowing, generally sown indoors in early spring. It is best to sow it directly in place to avoid damaging the roots when transplanting. If transplanting is necessary, it should be done at the seedling stage, otherwise it is not easy to keep alive.

2. Sowing soil: For sowing mimosa, use a mixture of 2 parts leaf mold, 3 parts garden soil and 5 parts fine yellow sand, sifted and mixed together. When sowing, first fill the pot with an appropriate amount of growing medium, spread it level and firm it down, then water thoroughly with a watering can. Once the water has fully seeped through, sow the seeds immediately.

3. Sowing method: After sowing mimosa, cover with 3 to 5 cm of soil, just enough to cover the seeds. Cover the pot with glass or plastic film to retain moisture, and place it in a spot with diffused light at around 20°C. Afterwards, when the potting soil is dry, water it by the bottom-soaking method. After about 7 to 10 days, the seeds germinate and sprout.

4. Seedling management: After the mimosa seedlings emerge, remove the cover from the pot and gradually let them receive sunlight. When the seedlings reach 3 cm in height, those sown in shallow pots can be separated and transplanted. Transplanting of separated seedlings should be done with soil around the roots, while those sown directly in place can simply be placed in a spot with plenty of sunlight to grow.

Growing methods for mimosa

1. Soil: Mimosa does not have high soil requirements and can be planted in ordinary garden soil. If conditions allow, it is best to choose a relatively loose, fertile mixed humus soil. Of course, only leaf mold or sandy soil will also work.

2. Watering: Mimosa loves a moist environment very much, with a suitable humidity of around 70%. During the summer growing period, water once a day. Never let the soil dry out. In winter, reduce watering to prevent cold damage.

3. Sunlight: Mimosa likes ample light and tolerates partial shade slightly, so when growing mimosa, place it in a sunny spot as much as possible, which is good for its growth. However, in summer it is best to place it in partial shade.

4. Temperature: Mimosa is suited to growing in a warm environment, with 20 to 28°C being ideal. If the temperature is too low, it stops growing. In winter, water less because of the low temperature, and if the temperature is below 10°C, it is best to give it some protection.

5. Fertilizing: Mimosa does not need much fertilizer. During the seedling stage, fertilize once every half month, and during the growing period apply dilute liquid fertilizer 2 to 3 times. Do not let it grow leggy, because mimosa is mainly grown as an interesting foliage plant and is best kept small.

Precautions for mimosa

1. Reasonable watering: Under conditions of ample sunlight, the root system of mimosa grows very quickly and needs daily watering. In hot, dry summer weather, water once in the morning and once in the evening. If it lacks water, the leaves will droop and even turn yellow, and they will no longer close when touched.

2. Reasonable fertilizing: When mimosa seedlings grow to 4 leaves, begin applying liquid fertilizer as a top dressing. Generally, apply a diluted decomposed liquid fertilizer once every 7 to 10 days. If you do not want the plant to grow too large, reduce the amount of fertilizer.

3. Repotting and soil replacement: Mimosa grown in the current year generally does not need repotting. Mimosa that is more than two years old can have its soil changed in spring, but there is no need to replace all the soil; generally half to one third is enough.

4. Pest and disease control: Mimosa generally has very few pests and diseases. The most common pest is the slug. If found, sprinkle some lime powder to control it. If the plant is not growing well, check whether the light source is insufficient or the water is not enough.