The plant that retracts its leaves when touched!

The Mimosa is a highly interactive plant. Its leaves quickly retract as a defense mechanism when its branches are touched. Despite this, the plant has no nervous system, and the science behind the mechanism is not fully understood.

Interestingly, Mimosa pudica can learn to tolerate various touches without retracting its leaves. This suggests that the plant can form a kind of primitive memory, entirely without a nervous system. Cool, right?

Botanical description

Mimosa pudica originates from Mexico down to tropical South America. The species has now been introduced to larger parts of the tropics around the world.

Care

Mimosa prefers airy soil that is always kept slightly moist. Place the plant in indirect light in summer and direct sun in winter. Mimosa needs to be grown as a potted plant indoors in Sweden but can be moved outdoors in summer. The plant blooms with pink to purple flowers throughout the summer. The flowers form seed pods that then burst and spread seeds. Mimosa can also be pruned and propagated from cuttings. Buy Mimosa online!