Why did my plant stop closing?

It may be stressed or the plant is simply tired from too much stimulation.

Can I grow it indoors?

Yes, it makes a fun houseplant if you provide enough light and humidity.

Plant guide

Sensitive plant.

Mimosa pudica

Pronounced mi-MO-sa PUD-ih-ka

Also known as Action Plant, Dormilones, Sensitive, Sensitive Plant, Sensitive plant, Sensitive Grass, Humble Plant, Sleepy plant, Sleeping grass, Shy plant, Shameplant, Shame Bush, Shame Face, Shame Lady, Shame Weed, Shameful plant, Dead-and-awake, Live-and-die, Mimosa, Action plant, Touch-me-not, Sensitive weed, Shame Lady Shame, Shameplant

The sensitive plant is a fascinating tropical species known for its leaves that fold inward when touched. It is a joy to watch, though it is quite short lived in many indoor environments. You will find it is a rewarding plant if you can provide enough light and humidity.

Another photo of Sensitive plant — Photo by Dana Lee Ling (CC0) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Tropical subshrub
Light: Bright indirect light with some direct morning sun.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 1 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Summer to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to mimic its native tropical habitat. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often indicate the plant is not getting enough light or is sitting in water that is too cold. It thrives when you provide high humidity and plenty of warmth.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist at all times without letting it dry out completely.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back leggy stems to encourage a bushier shape and remove spent flower heads.
Repotting: Repot in the spring if the plant becomes root bound or outgrows its container.
Soil: Well draining peat based potting mix.
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 15 to 30°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Short lived perennial, often grown as an annual.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant contains mimosine, which can be toxic if consumed in large quantities.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The small prickles on the stems can be sharp, and the seeds should be kept away from small children.
Contact allergens: The stems may have small prickles that can scratch the skin.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant airborne allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and may cause digestive upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Compound leaves with many small leaflets
Leaves fold inward when touched
Small pink or purple puffball flowers
Slender stems with tiny prickles

Height: 0.15 to 0.45m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: pink, lavender, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Root RotCommon
Spider MitesCommon
AphidsUncommon
Brown Leaf EdgesUncommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
MealybugsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: Bring the plant indoors before the first frost, placing it in a bright, warm spot with high humidity. Reduce watering slightly but do not let the soil dry out completely.
In containers: It grows very well in pots, which is ideal for keeping it as an annual or indoor curiosity in cooler climates.

Seed

Scarify the seeds by nicking the coat.
Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours.
Sow in moist, well draining soil.
Keep in a warm spot until germination.

Group this plant with other tropical foliage plants to maintain a microclimate of high humidity.

Grows well with

Coleus · They share similar moisture and light requirements in a container setting.
Polka dot plant · This plant enjoys the same warm and humid environment.

Similar species

Neptunia oleracea · Another legume that exhibits similar leaf movement.

Science

Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Mimosa
Order: Fabales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: South and Central America
Conservation: It is considered an invasive weed in many tropical regions outside its native range.

It grows as a sprawling herb in disturbed soils, using its movement to protect itself from grazing animals.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental curiosity, educational plant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why did my plant stop closing?: It may be stressed or the plant is simply tired from too much stimulation.
Can I grow it indoors?: Yes, it makes a fun houseplant if you provide enough light and humidity.

Where the name comes from

The name Mimosa comes from the Greek word for mimic, while pudica is Latin for bashful, referring to its shy movement.

Good to know

It is often called the sensitive plant.
The movement is a defense mechanism to deter herbivores.
It is a member of the pea family.
The plant returns to its normal state after a few minutes of stillness.

Keep your sensitive plant growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.