Sensitive Plant Seeds - Climbing Annual or Evergreen Perennial (Zones 9-12)
Mimosa pudica
* Common Names = Sensitive Plant / Touch-Me-Not / Lajwanti (Ayurvedic) / Shame Plant / Makahiva / Humble Plant
* Flowering plant in the Pea/Legume family (Fabaceae)
* Pudica epithet means "bashful" or "shrinking"
* Leaves fold inward when touched/shaken, and then reopen a few minutes later.
* At night, the leaves close together and open up again in the morning.
* Thrives in poor soil and is commonly used as a groundcover crop.
* Plants extract heavy metals Copper, Lead, Tin and Zinc from polluted soil, allowing the soil to return to less toxic composition
* An oil similar to soybean oil is obtained from the seeds.
* Pastes are made from the roots to heal snake bites and scorpion stings
* Decoctions and tinctures from the whole plant are used for its anti-inflammatory properties.
* Used in many cultures to ease muscle pain and improve liver function.
Life Cycle: Annual or Perennial Shrub (Zones 9-12)
Height: 18-24"
Max Width: 18"
USDA Zone: 9-12 (unless grown indoors)
Light: Full Sun
Harvest: 180 days
GROWING RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Pour near-boiling water over seeds and soak for 24 hours. Sow seeds 1/4" deep in small pots or flats with moistened seed-starting mix. Spritz with water to settle into soil.
2. Place in warm indirect sunlight and keep soil moist. A heating mat will improve germination rate, as seeds need warm temperatures. to sprout. Germination will occur in 14-21 days.
3. Resize into bigger pots as needed. Transplant 4” tall seedlings 12” apart after last frost. Protect young plants during the first few winters.
*** Plants have long roots, so make sure they have plenty of room to spread.