You might have seen the Mile Marker boards that parents create for their children – they highlight things like the height, weight, likes, and dislikes of their child at various stages of life. We at Nick’s Garden Center think Plant Parents should have something like this for their Plant Babies as well! Our Plant Parent Chalkboard Photos and blogs will provide you with an overview of what each plant needs in order to “grow up” happy and healthy!
What’s better than a plant that does stuff? We love carnivorous plants because many of them move when touched. While it’s not carnivorous, Sensitive Plant, or Mimosa Pudica, does react to touch! When touched, Sensitive Plant will fold up its leaves along the stem. We don’t know exactly why this takes place, but we suspect it’s a kind of defensive mechanism.
This feathery, fern-like plant is prevalent in some tropical areas (like Hawaii) to the point of being considered a weed, but in our climate Sensitive Plant is a humidity-loving houseplant. As a houseplant, expect Sensitive Plant to grow to be about 18 inches tall in a somewhat shrub shape. When the right growing conditions are met, Sensitive Plant will produce fluffy globe-like flowers in shades of pink and yellow and purple.
Sensitive Plant needs to be kept moist at all times. It also benefits from humidity. Sensitive Plant needs bright light, and can even handle direct sunlight. If you are short on natural light sources (remember, windows block between 10 and 20 percent of UV rays), Sensitive Plant will do well with artificial lights. Use a soil that is loamy or sandy, and plant Sensitive Plant in a well draining pot. As previously mentioned, keep the soil moist, but don’t let the plant sit in water. Try to wait until the soil is dry one inch from the surface to avoid creating a habitat for gnats.
Sensitive Plant likes to be kept in temperatures around 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. It would do well in a bathroom with a bright window. Keep it away from drafts and vents that could cause a fluctuation in temperature or blow dry air around the plant.
Sensitive Plant is not pet safe, and it is not air cleaning. It has sharp spines on its stems, so it’s best to keep out of reach of tiny human hands as well. Because it likes humidity and to be consistently moist, Sensitive Plant would work great under a cloche and could be a very beautiful statement piece! It would also be a great plant for a terrarium as a terrarium would also facilitate the constant temperature, humidity, and soil moisture levels that Sensitive Plant needs. If Sensitive Plant is placed under a cloche or in a terrarium, care for the plant should be fairly simple, but if the plant is placed on its own, we rate it as a plant best kept by intermediate level Plant Parents and those who will be able to keep up with its watering, lighting, and humidity needs.
Don’t forget to save our Plant Parent Chalkboard photo for a quick reference later on!
Happy Plant Parenting!
