THE HELP FILES: GROW LIKE A PRO

The complete beginners guide with basic care instructions. Learn how to grow the sensitive plant (Touch Me Not) in our South African climate

Light Requirements

  • Mimosa Pudica is very adaptable and can be grown in full sun, a semi-shade spot outside, or at least on a north-facing windowsill with a minimum of 4-6 hours of direct (unfiltered) sunlight. The more sunlight it gets, the healthier it will grow!
  • If you don’t have a lot of natural sunlight, you can use a grow light or desk lamp with a daylight CFL bulb to extend the daylight period. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight via photosynthesis, so providing as much direct light as possible will help them thrive!

Watering Instructions

  • Water daily (or at least every other day) to keep the soil moist. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely or leave your plant sitting in water for too long, as this can lead to root rot. If watering from the bottom, add water to the tray and let it dry before adding more, so the soil remains moist to the touch

Potting and Garden Care

  • Mimosa Pudica is not a carnivorous plant, so it can be grown in regular garden compost and potting soil. If you prefer, you can use our PROmix for Nepenthes (coco peat) or the one for sundews, but keep in mind that these mixes do not contain fertiliser. If you choose one of these mixes, you will need to feed the plant with fertiliser more frequently to ensure healthy growth
  • The touch me nots we sell are grown from seed and we start off our seedlings in tiny 2cm mini pots. You can gradually upgrade your plant to a larger pot as it grows. It can be grown in various pot sizes, even in the garden. When upgrading the pot, take care not to disturb the roots too much – just pop the plant out of its old pot and into a larger one with fresh soil
  • Mimosa Pudica prefers tropical weather, which means it thrives in warm conditions. If you plant your Mimosa Pudica in the garden and live in an area where temperatures drop below 10°C at night in winter, make sure to cover it with horticultural fleece or a frost cloth during cold nights. If it's potted, bring it indoors at night during cold weather to protect it from frost, as it doesn't tolerate the cold well and place it back in the sun during the day to ensure it gets plenty of light

Fertilising

  • Unlike carnivorous plants, Mimosa Pudica is a regular garden plant that will thrive with occasional feeding. Fertilise with Seagro or a nitrogen-rich orchid fertiliser once or twice a month during summer for optimal growth. Some fertilisers are added to the soil, while others are sprayed on the leaves – follow the instructions on the product you use

Common Issues

  • Plants that are not grown in optimal conditions are more likely to get sick and attract pests, so make sure you grow your Touch me Not in the best possible environment. Like many garden plants, it is susceptible to attacks from garden pests, with woolly aphids being the most common, usually appearing in early spring when fresh growth emerges
  • Regularly inspect your plant, trim and discard any affected growth, and treat with Koinor, Rose Protector, or Rosecare 3 (according to instructions), available from most nurseries and retail stores. You can also spray your plant monthly with neem oil, which helps deter aphid attacks and other pests naturally
  • Yellowing or dull leaves can be a sign of stress caused by cold temperatures or low light levels. Ensure your Touch Me Not is kept in a warm spot with plenty of sunlight to maintain healthy growth and vibrant foliage

Soil and Moss Care

  • Some of our mini bonsais have soil covered with Spanish- or green forest moss for aesthetics to help maintain humidity. Note that this moss is used as a soil additive for tropical plants and may be heavily fertilised. It is not live sphagnum moss and should not be used with carnivorous plants

Important to Know

Mimosa Pudica has a fascinating natural movement – its leaves fold when touched, a unique feature of the plant that makes it so much fun! The leaves also fold back at night or when in the dark (such as in a dark box during shipping). This process, called nyctinasty, happens in response to darkness and sunlight.  When your plant arrives, the leaves may appear folded back or droopy, but don’t worry – they’ll perk up after a couple of hours if exposed to sunlight and left undisturbed, showing their vibrant, lively nature

🔔 Grow like a Pro Tip 🔔

Mimosa Pudica is considered an annual, but it can easily last 5 years or longer if not allowed to flower. Bushier plants last longer (and are way more fun too!) - Trim (remove) the growth points when your plant is around 10-20cm tall and continue trimming during the summer months to encourage new shoots and bushier growth ⬇️