The plant that contracts its leaves when touched!

The mimosa is a very interactive plant. Its leaves quickly contract as a protective mechanism when the 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 different types of touch without retracting its leaves. This suggests that the plant can form a kind of primitive memory, completely 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.

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