Mimosa
Seed # 131
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 131
- Seed Name
- Mimosa
- Variety
- Sensitive Plant
- Category
- Flower
- Plant Family
- Fabaceae
- Plant Type
- Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica)
- Planting Method
- Transplant
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- Mar 10
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Jun 15
- Plantable Months
- March, April, May, June
- Indoor Start
- Mar 10 – Apr 7
- Direct Sow
- Not Recommended
- Transplant
- May 19 – Jun 15
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- 8 weeks
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- 2 weeks
- Germination Days
- 14–28 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- Not recorded
- Succession Planting
- Not recorded
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- 65-75°F
- Planting Depth
- 1/8-1/4 in
- Plant Spacing
- 12-15 in
- Row Spacing
- 18-24 in
- Thin-To Spacing
- Not recorded
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun
- Water Needs
- Keep consistently moist but never waterlogged
- Soil Preference
- Loose, well-drained soil; does not require highly fertile soil
- Minimum Container Size
- 1-2 gal
- Plant Height
- 12-24 in upright; stems may trail longer
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Annual
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- No
- Frost Tolerant
- No
- Heat Tolerant
- Yes
- Drought Tolerant
- No
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- No
Garden Uses
Container Pollinator Seed SavingCompanion Planting
No companion relationships recorded.
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Start indoors; transplant only after heat
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 25 – Jun 30
Days to Harvest / Bloom: Foliage plant
Pollinator Friendly: Small flowers; modest
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Ornamental
Perennial?: Tender perennial indoors
Succession / Reusable Notes: Best as a container/houseplant in Zone 6B.
Zone 6B Notes: Sensitive to frost; keep warm.
Companion Plants: Containers, novelty gardens, warm annual beds
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Cold, frost, rough handling
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit
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Zone 6B: Mimosa pudica is tropical and frost-sensitive, so grow it as an annual outdoors in Zone 6B or keep it as a houseplant. Move outdoors only after temperatures are consistently warm.
Germination: Scarify the hard seed coat by gently nicking or sanding it, then soak in warm water for about 24 hours. Sow shallowly in moist, well-drained mix.
Harvest: Plants produce small pink-purple spherical flowers. The foliage folds rapidly when touched.
Seed Saving: Allow seed pods to mature and dry before collection. Handle dried pods carefully because they can cling to clothing or fur.
Special Care: Repeatedly touching the foliage uses plant energy, so avoid excessive handling despite the plant's novelty. Grow in a container if preventing unwanted seed spread is important.
Research Source: Outsidepride — https://www.outsidepride.com/resources/planting/mimosapudica-planting/ — warm-weather transplanting and approximately 15-inch garden spacing
Research Source: Gardenia — https://www.gardenia.net/plant/mimosa-pudica-sensitive-plant-grow-care-guide — Mimosa pudica identity, scarification, 24-hour soaking, 1/4-inch seed depth and moist well-drained germination conditions
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