The Mimosa plant, otherwise known as the “sensitive plant” or the “touch-me-not”, hails from Central and South America. Known for its fern-like leaves, the Mimosa is a legume, and its leaves are particularly sensitive to both touch and sunlight.
Producing pretty, colourful flowers, the Mimosa plant may be grown either outdoors or indoors depending on your preference. It’s generally known as a unique plant based on its interesting movement, and best of all, it’s not particularly difficult to grow if you provide it with everything that it needs to thrive.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to grow a Mimosa plant.
What is a Mimosa Plant?
If you’re looking for a new addition to your garden or indoor plant collection that’s quite unlike anything you’ve already got, a Mimosa plant is an excellent option. As previously mentioned, it consists of fern-like leaves and pretty little flowers – the flowers are normally pink or purple in colour.
The most unique part about them, however, is that the leaves have a tendency to fold inward and droop when touched or exposed to heat, light and even certain types of vibrations. As a result, you end up with a plant that is constantly moving, facing different directions and adopting varying positions.
However, Mimosa plants are actually regarded as an invasive species in some areas – this depends on the natural environment.
How to Grow a Mimosa Plant
Although they go by several different nicknames, the scientific name of the Mimosa plant is Albizia julibrissin. A few of its other nicknames, in addition to the two mentioned above, are “silk tree” and “Chinese scholar tree”.
Known as hardy and fast-growing species, Mimosas are most commonly regarded as easy to grow. Just like any other plant, however, this all depends on whether or not you’re providing it with everything it needs to thrive – ranging from sunlight and water to the type of soil. Thus, with these things in mind, it’s all about when, where and how to plant a Mimosa plant.
When to Plant a Mimosa Plant
The best time to plant a Mimosa plant is during the spring or early summer – that way, the soil is warm and the weather is generally mild. This gives the plant enough time to establish its roots before the serious heat of summer arrives. Of course, these things all depend on where in the world you’re based and the particular climate in which you live – that is, spring and early summer may be different in terms of temperatures from one place to the next. Thus, the key word here is “mild”.
If you’re planting a container-grown tree, it can be planted at just about any time of the year, as long as you take care to provide it with enough water and protect it from frost if it’s planted in the fall or winter.
It’s important to note, however, the Mimosa tree is not winter hardy, and it should be brought indoors or in a greenhouse when temperatures drop below freezing. If you’re planting a mimosa tree in an area that experiences frost, it’s best to wait until the risk of frost has passed before planting it in the ground.
Where to Plant a Mimosa Plant
When you’re deciding on where to plant a Mimosa plant, it all comes down to sun and soil. These plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil, however, they’re actually pretty tolerant. Mimosas can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including lay, loam and sandy soils, but they do tend to prefer soil that’s slightly acidic – ranging from 6.0 to 7.0
They’re also pretty tolerant of drought and heat once they’re properly established, but they do require regular watering during the first few months after planting to help them establish their root systems.
Another really important thing to consider when planting your Mimosa tree is space. Since they can grow to a height of nine to 12 metres high and three to six metres wide. It’s also important to consider the tree’s mature size when planting it near buildings, power lines and other structures – just because it starts out small doesn’t mean it’s going to stay that way!
As mentioned, Mimosas are considered an invasive species in some areas, so ensure that you check local regulations in your area before you go ahead and plant.
How to Plant a Mimosa Plant
To plant a Mimosa plant, you’ll need the following materials:
- A Mimosa tree (surprise, surprise), either container-grown or bare-root)
- A shovel
- A watering can or hose
Follow these steps to plant your Mimosa tree:
- Choose a location that gets full sun and has well-drained soil. Mimosas can tolerate a wide range of soil types, but they do best in soils that are moist but not waterlogged.
- Dig a hole that’s twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball of the tree.
- Remove the tree from its container and gently loosen any roots that may have become tangled. If you happen to be planting a bare-root tree, spread the roots out in the hole.
- Put the tree inside the hole and ensure that the base of the trunk is level with the surrounding soil.
- Backfill the hole with the soil you removed earlier and make sure to tamp it down gently in order to remove any air pockets.
- Water the tree thoroughly, making sure that the soil is properly saturated.
- Add a layer of mulch around the tree to help retain moisture and suppress any reeds that may pop up.
- Fertilise the tree with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Water the tree regularly, especially when it’s a particularly dry period.
What is the Meaning of a Mimosa Plant
Part of the Fabaceae family, the name “Mimosa’ comes from the Greek word “mimos” which means “mimic”. This refers to the plant’s sensitive leaves which fold up when they’re touched – the name actually has nothing to do with champagne and orange juice!
In some cultures and traditions, the Mimosa plant has a special symbolic meaning. For instance, it’s a symbol of femininity and sensitivity, and it’s been used as a symbol of love and friendship too, depending on where you go and who you ask. In ancient Greece, some people believed that the plant had medicinal properties and was able to heal skin conditions and wounds.
In addition, the plant is also a source of food for many, its bark, leaves, flowers and seeds being used in traditional medicine all over the world. Overall, the Mimosa plant is incredibly versatile and beautiful and it has rich cultural and historical significance.
How Do You Grow Mimosas at Home?
Growing Mimosas at home is pretty easy – as we’ve mentioned though, it’s all about making sure you provide the plant with the right conditions to grow properly. Most importantly, follow the steps we listed above on how to plant a Mimosa tree. From there, here are a few extra tips to consider.
- If you’re planting it in a container, ensure the container has drainage holes.
- Water the tree regularly but don’t over-water it.
- You can prune the plant to control its size, but it’s not necessary.
How Do You Grow Mimosas from Cuttings?
The good news is that growing Mimosas from cuttings is pretty straightforward, just follow these steps:
- Select healthy, non-flowering stem tips that are at least 16 centimetres long. Ensure that you choose a stem that is not too woody and has at least one leaf node.
- Cut the stem at a 45-degree angle, just below a lead node.
- Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting, leaving a few leaves at the top.
- Dip the cut end of the cutting in rooting hormone powder – this is optional, but it’ll help promote plant growth.
- Fill a container with a well-draining potting mix, such as a mixture of peat moss, perlite and vermiculite.
- Make a hole in the potting mix and insert the cutting. Firm the soil around the cutting to hold it upright.
- Water the cutting well and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
- Keep the container in a warm and bright location, but keep it out of direct sunlight. A propagating heat mat can also be used, if necessary, to maintain a stable temperature.
- Mist the cutting regularly to keep the humidity high and prevent the leaves from wilting.
- After a few weeks, the cutting should have grown its own roots. After this has happened, you can transplant the plant into a bigger pot or into the garden.
It’s important to remember that not all cuttings will take, but if you provide the plant with the proper care, you should be able to successfully propagate a Mimosa plant from cuttings.
How Long Does It Take a Mimosa Plant to Grow?
The growth rate of a Mimosa plant can vary depending on several different factors. A few of these include climate, soil conditions and the care that’s provided. In general, the plant can take several years to reach maturity. Thereafter, it can grow as a small tree or a large shrub.
How Do You Germinate a Mimosa Seed?
To germinate Mimosa seeds, follow these simple steps:
- Fill a seed tray or pots with seed compost and ensure that you water it well.
- Sow the Mimosa seeds on the surface of the compost, spaced about an inch apart.
- Cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost or vermiculite.
- Place the tray or pots in a propagator or cover it with a plastic bag and place it in a warm spot – somewhere like a heated propagator or on a windowsill.
- Keep the compost moist but not waterlogged.
- Germination normally takes about two to four weeks – after this, little seedlings will start to appear.
- Once the seedlings are big enough to be handled, transplant them into 7.5 centimetre pots. After that, you can start gradually acclimatising them to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days before finally transplanting them into the final growing position in the garden.
Now, just note that Mimosa seeds can be slow to germinate – indeed, they may take several weeks – or even months – to sprout. But overall, it’s worth the wait, so be patient!