Mimosa pudica: An Introduction, Understanding Its Characteristics and Care Methods

Mimosa pudica (sensitive plant) is a perennial herb or subshrub in the Fabaceae family, genus Mimosa, native to tropical America and now widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions; in southern China it is commonly seen along roadsides, field edges and wasteland. It has quite a few alternative names, such as sensitive grass, shame-knowing grass and shy grass; its most famous trait is that its leaflets close and droop rapidly when touched, then slowly open again after a while, which is why it is often grown as a novelty ornamental plant.

The leaves of Mimosa pudica are bipinnately compound, arranged in pairs; the stems often bear fine prickles, and in summer and autumn it produces small pink pom-pom-like flowers that look very cute. The reason the leaves are "shy" is that at the base of the leaf stalk there is a structure called the pulvinus; after stimulation, the turgor pressure of the cells changes, and the leaflets then close, which is also a way it adapts to the external environment.

Caring for Mimosa pudica is not difficult; it likes a warm, humid environment with plenty of sunlight and is not cold-tolerant, so it needs protection from the cold in winter. A loose, well-drained sandy loam soil is best, and during the growing season it is enough to keep the potting soil moist. Propagation is mainly by sowing, usually done in spring; soaking the seeds in warm water before sowing can make germination more uniform. One thing to note is that frequently fiddling with the leaves will continuously consume the plant's nutrients and easily weaken its growth, so when enjoying it, just a touch or two is enough.

In addition, Mimosa pudica contains mimosine, and livestock may show adverse reactions if they eat large amounts of it; if there are children or pets at home, care should be taken when placing it to avoid accidental ingestion. Some people also confuse Mimosa pudica with the related plant Albizia julibrissin (silk tree) in the same family, but in fact the silk tree is a tall tree while Mimosa pudica is a low-growing herb; the differences in plant form are obvious, and they can be easily distinguished by plant size and flower shape.