The Touch Me Not Plant, also known as the Mimosa Pudica, is a very interesting plant to grow. It can be grown indoors or outdoors and it’s easy to care for!
So what is it? Mimosa pudica, commonly called a touch-me-not plant due to its ability to retract its leaves when touched, is a creeping annual or perennial flowering plant of the pea/legume family.
When trying to grow and care for a touch me not plant, there are many things to consider, however, don’t be concerned, we are going to go through everything from how to grow it, how to care for it, and some amazing facts about it!
This article will go over how to grow and take care of this amazingly unique plant. If you’re looking for an unusual houseplant that requires little maintenance, then the touch me not plant is just for you!
Table of Contents
What is a touch me not plant?
The Touch Me Not Plant commonly called a touch-me-not plant due to its ability to retract its leaves when touched, is a creeping annual or perennial flowering plant in the pea/legume family. So what causes the plant to retract its leaves? Well, it is all down to electrical signalling between plants cells and this is the plant’s response to being touched.
What causes the Touch Me Not Plant To retract?
The touch me not plant has developed a way to react quickly when touched. The reason for this response is rapid movements induced by contact, known as seismonastic responses. These reactions can be found in the pulvini (an enlarged section at the base of leaf stalk’s). This is where motor machinery resides and is activated which triggers these quick motions due to water containing fluid-filled sacs that are charged with ions moving around, thus causing the movement.
Touch Me Not Plant Scientific Name – Renowned Common Names
The scientific name of Touch me not plant is Mimosa pudica.
The nicknames of the plant come from their characteristics; this plant also has nicknames because of its abilities and how much people love it.
- Sensitive plant
- Action plant
- Sensible plant
- Humble plant
- Shameful plant
- Chuimui
- Amourette herbe,
- Lojjaboti
- Prayer plant
How to grow the touch me not plant - Growth Requirements
Growing the touch-me-not plant (Mimosa pudica) is so easy and fun, even kids can enjoy it. Mimosa pudica is a specific houseplant that you can grow indoors with seeds. These plants do not need many conditions and are easy to take care of.
Get Touch me not plant seeds here: £5.99 from Amazon.co.uk
1. Potting Soil
Mimosa pudica seeds should be grown in moist and well-drained soil, but also grow sufficiently in any type of soil.
You can use your favourite commercially available potting mix, or make a mixture of peat moss (two parts), loamy soil (two parts) and builder’s (or construction) dirt (one part).
2. Pot Selection
The sensitive plant Mimosa pudica is happiest in moist soil, but self-watering pots are best. Make sure the pot has holes to allow excess water to drain out; otherwise it will become too wet and the plant may die.
3. Light Source
The sensitive plants require bright light, so if they are not in the proper light their leaves will get folded and would never be able to recover.
In order to make the Mimosa pudica (touch me not plant) thrive indoors, place it in an east-facing window that receives direct sunlight. Artificial lighting is helpful in areas that experience low sunlight, such as the winter months.
4. Temperature and pH of Soil
Mimosa pudica grows best in a temperature between 20 degrees and 23 degrees.
Mimosa pudica plants do best in a pH level of 6-7.
5. Watering
When watering, give enough water in the growing phase but reduce during the winter months.
6. Fertilization
The plant should be fertilized at regular intervals to maintain strong growth. After a month, it can be fed with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer for optimum effect.
3 Steps to growing your plants
You can grow touch me not plants in your garden with a few simple steps.
Soak the seeds – In order to grow the touch me not plant (Mimosa pudica), soak seeds in a container full of water for a few hours. This helps the seed coat weaken and improves sprouting. For best results, seeds should be soaked when planting indoors during springtime. Otherwise, they can be planted at any time if you have good temperature control and light levels present.
Plant the seeds – To grow touch me not plant (think), soak the seeds and transfer them to moist soil. Plant them almost 1/8 of an inch deep and place them in a warm, sunny area.
Get Plants – After a week or two, new plants will grow.
Propagation
Growing these sensitive plants from mature is quite simple. To do this, follow these guidelines:
- Cut a shoot from a mature sensitive plant.
- The new shoot chosen must have at least one node on it, and the size of the stem should range from 10-12 cm (approximately 4 inches) is most appropriate for propagation.
- Fill a pot or container with soil and make a hole in the centre by digging it out.
- You should fill the hole with dirt and place the shoot in it.
- Cover the pot with a plastic sheet to create a humid environment to encourage the shoots to grow.
Sow the seeds in moist, fertile soil and maintain the temperature.
Seven medical uses for the touch me not plant
- Applying the paste of the plant on the abdomen can treat excessive urination.
- To treat insect bites, make a paste of leaves and stem and apply it to the affected area twice a day.
- If you have high blood pressure, you can ingest the plant but should also take medicine if you have been prescribed it by your doctor.
- The touch me not plant isn’t just effective for preventing mosquitos from biting; it can also be used in hair care products to prevent balding.
- These sensitive plants are known to have anticonvulsive properties and is widely used in African traditional medicine.
- The touch me not plant is an excellent natural anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal treatment and can be used to fight infections.
- This plant also has anti-venom and anti-inflammatory properties.
Caring for your Mimosa Pudica
The Touch me not plant care is on the easy side. Follow these simple steps to keep your sensitive plant healthy:
Disease Control – As plants require moist conditions to grow, it becomes susceptible to fungal attacks. Your Touch Me Not Plant may be attacked by aphids and scales so do not overwater and keep an eye on it.
Pruning -After the flowers have bloomed, remove dried leaves and stems from the plant to prevent them from becoming too long.
Thorns Removal – The touch me not plant contains thorns that can cause harm. You must remove them so they can’t injure your hands, and in this way, you will make the plant will be safe.
Amazing facts about the Touch-Me-Not-Plant
- This plant is known for its healing qualities against cobra venom. Aqueous extract from the roots is a cure or treatment that neutralizes the negative effects of monocled snake poison.
- The Latin name of the Touch me not plant comes from its habit to shrink its leaves when it gets touched.
- The touch me not plant (Mimosa pudica) is a fast-growing tropical plant that produces a large number of seeds each year.
- These sensitive plants open their leaves during the day and close them at night. They can also sleep!
- The Alkaloid Mimosine is a toxic compound when used in high doses, so avoid consuming it.
- The plant shows thigmonastic movements when getting touch stimulus.
- Mimosas are traditional in the summer.
- These sensitive plants are proficient at enriching the soil with nitrogen, thanks to the symbiotic relationship they share with bacteria.
- Mimosa plants, unlike carnivorous Venus Fly Traps, don’t eat insects but provides protection from them.
- It is usually grown as an annual tropical plant where its lifespan is typically only one year. Alternatively, it can be perennial and have a life span of over two years.
