Mimosa leaves fold up at a touch - can children touch them?

Leisurely flower growing is generally a pastime mostly enjoyed by retirees, because it can cultivate the mind and character; for children or young people, it perhaps lacks a bit of fun.

Today I recommend a very fun plant to young flower lovers and children - mimosa. Why do I say it is fun? Because mimosa is very magical. It can produce purple flowers, and the petals are very beautiful, but as soon as a hand lightly touches its leaves, every single leaflet folds up on its own, as if shy, hence the name mimosa, also known as the shy plant.

However, quite a few parents who want to buy it for their children to play with say that it is rumored online that the plant contains a large amount of "toxins", and that merely touching its leaves will cause an allergic reaction. The editor here wants to say that everyone actually has no need to worry too much, because as long as we do not eat it, the poison on the leaves is negligible to the human body. In addition, in rural areas the roots of mimosa are also often picked and taken home to make soup, or used as medicine; it has the edible value of clearing liver fire and helping with insomnia.

So, how do you care for a mimosa once you bring it home? First, mimosa likes sunlight. It is recommended to place it on a sunny south-facing balcony, or by the window. Its flowering period is very long and can span the three seasons of spring, summer and autumn. If you want it to produce large flowers, you can give it a little general-purpose fertilizer every week. Never apply too much fertilizer, otherwise it is prone to leggy growth or root burn. It is recommended to fertilize a small amount at a time, several times.

Next, mimosa is especially afraid of cold. If the temperature is below 5°C, it may cause the mimosa to stop growing, or even wither and die, so remember to keep it warm in winter.

Finally, regarding daily care and watering, mimosa grows in the tropics, so its water requirements are relatively high. You can follow the "water when dry, let dry between waterings" method. It is recommended to water it once in the morning and once in the evening every day in summer; in spring and autumn, generally water once every 2-3 days; in winter, reduce watering to about once every 5 days. During the care process, flower lovers can frequently mist it, and do not let its soil dry out.