It stays low and rarely requires mowing, though it can tolerate occasional light trimming.

It is a vigorous grower but is native to the southeastern United States and is generally well behaved in its home range.

Plant guide

Powderpuff.

Mimosa strigillosa

Pronounced mi-MO-suh stri-jil-LO-suh

Also known as powder puff, powder puff mimosa, powderpuff, sunshine mimosa

This charming groundcover is a native plant that spreads through underground runners. It is famous for its fuzzy pink flowers that look just like tiny powderpuffs. You will love how the leaves fold up when you touch them.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial groundcover
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 2 to 5 days
Mature size: 6 inches tall
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 7 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to mimic its natural wetland habitat. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal that the soil has dried out too much. It thrives in warm spots and will spread quickly if given enough space.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back any leggy growth to encourage a denser mat.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes root bound or outgrows its container.
Soil: Moist, well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -12 to 38°C
Humidity: 40 to 80%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion is not recommended.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The fine hairs on the stems might cause minor irritation if handled roughly by small children.
Contact allergens: The stems have fine, stiff hairs that may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no known significant respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed by humans or pets.

How to identify it

Fern like compound leaves
Bright pink spherical flowers
Sensitive foliage folds when touched
Low growing creeping habit

Height: 0.05 to 0.15m
Spread: 0.6 to 1.8m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: pink, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Mimosa WebwormCommon
Root RotCommon
AphidsUncommon
ChlorosisUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Mimosa WiltUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In colder parts of its range, the foliage will die back completely after the first frost. Simply clear away the dead stems in late winter to make room for new spring growth.
In containers: It grows well in wide, shallow containers, but it prefers being planted directly in the ground to spread.

Division

1. Locate a healthy runner with established roots.
2. Use a sharp spade to sever the runner from the parent plant.
3. Carefully lift the section with the root ball intact.
4. Replant immediately in a prepared site.
5. Water thoroughly until established.

Plant this in areas where you want a low maintenance groundcover that suppresses weeds naturally.

Grows well with

Blanketflower — They share similar moisture and light requirements in sandy soils.
Blue-eyed Grass — This provides a nice color contrast against the pink flowers.

Similar species

Sensitive Plant — It shares the same touch-sensitive leaf behavior but is not as hardy.

Science

Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Mimosa
Order: Fabales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southeastern United States
Conservation: This plant is common in its native range and is not currently listed as endangered.

It thrives in sandy, well drained soils and often colonizes disturbed areas or open woodlands.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, larval host plant
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: groundcover, erosion control, pollinator garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Moisture: 4/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 7/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need mowing?: It stays low and rarely requires mowing, though it can tolerate occasional light trimming.
Is it invasive?: It is a vigorous grower but is native to the southeastern United States and is generally well behaved in its home range.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Mimosa comes from the Greek word for mimic, referring to the leaves that mimic animal behavior by closing when touched. The species name strigillosa refers to the stiff, appressed hairs found on the stems.

Good to know

It is commonly called sunshine mimosa because of its bright pink flowers.
It spreads by underground runners to form a dense mat.
It is an excellent alternative to traditional turf grass in warm climates.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

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