Mimosa Pudica: Touch Me Not Plant Explained

Today we’re super stoked to tell you about Mimosa Pudica, a.k.a The touch me not plant.

Plants can do a lot of amazing things, like a human. they reproduce, purify the air and many others. One of the most fascinating things about plants is that they have an incredible way of protecting themselves. It will surprise you to know that different plant has their way of protecting themselves.

One such plant is MIMOSA PUDICA.

Read: 8 Plants That Can Be Grown In Plastic Bottles

What is Touch Me Not Plant?

Mimosa pudica is an annual or perennial flowering plant. It is otherwise known as “sensitive plant, sleepy plant, touch-me-not plant, shame plant” this plant has been given various names by humans, due to its most known feature.

The mimosa pudica has small and beautiful pink flowers. The leaves are known to be very sensitive to touch, temperature, and light. The leaves fold up when you touch them and remain closed for a few minutes. They also stay closed after sunset making it look like they are asleep or dead.

This is the plant’s way of protecting itself.

The touch me not plant is a fascinating plant, that comes with a lilac flower alongside dark green leaves. it grows as a weed in some places and is planted in some others.

A lot of people have wondered how this plant can do the amazing thing it can do and as a result, have questions about the other thing the mimosa pudica is about. In this article, we will be answering different questions on all you wanted to know about the mimosa pudica.

Mimosa Pudica Health Benefits

The most common thing that is known about the mimosa pudica, is that it is a very sensitive plant and it protects itself from danger. What you don’t know is that the mimosa pudica has great health benefits for humans and they are;

The mimosa pudica leaf, when extracted can be used to reduce stomach acidity and the secretion of defensive factors in the gut increases. This can help in preventing ulcers.
The mimosa pudica can be used to treat skin problems and stop bleeding.
Mimosa pudica may be effective in healing a damaged and inflamed liver.
Mimosa pudica plants are rich in antioxidants; antioxidants are substances that can help in preventing or reduce damage to cells caused by free radicals.
Mimosa pudica may have nutrients that can contribute to its anti-diarrheal actions.
Mimosa pudica may be associated with treating mental health disorders; depression, anxiety.
The mimosa pudica possesses antifertility, anticonvulsant, aphrodisiac properties.
The touch me not plant can be used to treat hair loss or baldness. It helps to produce new hair cells.

These are some of the many health benefits of mimosa pudica. The plant is like a natural pharmacy all in one plant. The mimosa pudica has been used by Ayurveda practitioners for diverse ailments including wound healing and mental disorders. In recent times, medical practitioners are coming to the knowledge of the benefits of mimosa pudica.

Is it bad to touch the mimosa pudica?

The mimosa pudica has a dramatic way of reacting to touch and this has earned it the name “touch me not plant”. This does not mean you cannot touch the plant; it just means the plant responds quickly to your touch.

Plants, unlike mobile organisms, cannot move when they sense danger, instead, they have other ways of protecting themselves. The mimosa pudica’s action of closing up when it has been touched or when it is dark is a defense mechanism.

Where is the mimosa pudica found?

The mimosa pudica is native to the Americas, however, it can also be found in various places, like; India, Nigeria, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, and many other places that are yet unknown. It can be found in mostly plantation crops, pastures, waste areas, parks, lawns, gardens, etc.

Can touch-me-not be planted at home?

Regardless of how sensitive the mimosa pudica plant is, it is intriguing to know that it can be planted as an ornamental plant in the home. You can either place it in the pot indoors or planted it in the garden.

The mimosa pudica’s flowers look like fluffy balls, hence making them inviting and beautiful. The mimosa pudica is a tropical plant, however, you can plant them in the pots during winter.

How long does it take the mimosa pudica to open?

The mimosa pudica; a touch-me-not plant closes its leaves, in response to touch as a defense mechanism. The time it takes for the plant to reopen depends on how fast or heavy the touch had been, however, it’s usually between 1 – 3 minutes.

How long does the mimosa pudica live?

The mimosa pudica; touch-me-not plants are perennial and annual plants, which means they can live for up to 2 or more years. However, they can be annual plants too, living for one year, depending on their temperate zone.

Is touch me not plant edible?

Although the mimosa pudica is said to have many medicinal benefits, it is important to note that it is not edible for consumption. What we mostly consumed is the seed, in a powdered form.

What is touch me not plant scientific name?

The scientific name for the touch me not plant is mimosa pudica. It is a favorite and introverted plant named by scientists.

Are there any side effects of touching touch me not plant?

The touch me not plant is also called the sleepy plant. This plant reacts dramatically when it is touched or shaken and this why it is named touch me not. When this plant is touched lightly, its leaves collapse two by two until the whole cluster closes up.

Where is touch me not plant found?

The touch me plant can be found in various places and the most common place it can be found in Nagaland. This plant is known by numerous names depending on the country but there has been no attempt to state what country it can’t be found. The mimosa pudica is also not uncommon in India.

Is the mimosa pudica poisonus?

Make no mistake, while the touch me not plant has many health benefits, in its raw form, Mimosa pudica is poisonous to people as well as animals. It is safe to touch definitely but not for direct consumption.

How do you propagate mimosa pudica?

The touch me not plant is a very easy one and it can be propagated from either seed or cutting.

Before you begin to plant your mimosa pudica, either from seed or plant, you must note some important and necessary items.

Get your potting soil: The touch-me-not plant can grow in any kind of soil, however, it is best grown in moist and well-drained soil.
Select your pot: The best pots for sensitive plants are self-watering pots, you must also get pots that have holes for better draining.
Light: Sensitive plants love sunlight, this is why they must be placed in a position where they can get access to light. You can either make use of natural or artificial light.
Temperature: The mimosa pudica grows best at a warm temperature of about 20 -23-degree temperature.
Water: You must give adequate water to the plant, however, this level of water should be reduced during winter.

How to Grow Touch Me Not Plant From Cutting

Here’s the step by step guide you need to grow Mimosa pudica from cutting.

The first thing you need to do is choose a healthy plant to take your cutting from, then cut a branch segment, that includes one node of the leaf. cut the stem at an angle.
Put the cutting in a container of water and get your pot ready.
Fill in the pot with a quality seed starting mix.
Put the cutting into rooting hormones; you can make use of powdered or liquid. Make a deep hole in your pot and put your cutting into the hole, make sure the cutting can stand. Fill in some soil around the cutting.
Put the pot in a container of water and let it sit until the top of the soil feels moist. Then you can take the pot out and leave it to drain.
Place the pot inside a glass or plastic container or bag, as long as it covers the pot. Then place the plant where it will get partial sunlight.

How to Grow Mimosa Pudica From Seed

Soak the seeds in a container of warm water for few hours. This is so the seed can sprout faster.
Transfer the seed from the container of warm water to a potting soil mixture. Make a hole in the soil and plant the seed into it and place it in a warm place.
You will begin to get young plants after two weeks of planting.

How to care for the mimosa pudica

Caring for the touch me not plant is a very easy task. Here are some tips on how to care for your sensitive plant.

1. Pruning

After the flower blooms, remove the dried leaves and damaged stems. Also, shorten the stems that are too long.

2. Disease control

The sensitive plant may be prone to fungal attack, due to the moist conditions to grow, especially when the weather is wet. You may have scales and aphids attacking your plant. Do not overwater or it might suffer.

3. Overwintering

During winter, you will be required to place your plant inside, and also protect the foot of the plant.

4. Thorn removal

The touch me not plant also has thorns that may hurt you. It is best to remove the thorns carefully, to prevent you from hurt and also protect the plant.

Where to buy Mimosa Pudica plant seeds

You can pick up seeds for your touch me not plant from local garden and seeds stores near you or if you prefer to shop online, you’ll find them on popular online retail sites like Amazon, here’s one we recommend.

Supreme Nutrition Mimosa Supreme, 90 Caps - Organic Mimosa Pudica Seed Capsules

Click here to see more options on Amazon

Wrapping up

The mimosa pudica; a touch-me-not plant is a fascinating one to have and watch. However, there are some common mistakes people make, in a bid to give it the right care it needs. Some are;

The plant requires light, however too much exposure to direct sunlight can lead to sun scorch, and this will lead to brown and crisping leaves, stunted growth, dry leaf edges. Too little light can also be an issue.
It is best to place the sun in a place where it can get light but is shielded from direct sunlight.
We know you love your plant and you are eager to feed it right, however overwatering can lead to yellow leaves. The leaves can also curl up if it has been overwatered.
Always check beneath the leaves of your plant, spider mites might be hiding there and they will suck up the chlorophyll out of the leaves. It is important that your cutting gets a good soak, 24hours before you plant.

Following this guide will help you grow your plant with ease. You can also reap all of its medicinal benefits.

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