Giant sensitive plant (Mimosa pigra)
Care, watering, light and tips for Giant sensitive plant on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Fabaceae
- Difficulty: Demanding
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Giant sensitive plant
Mimosa pigra, known as the 'Giant Sensitive Plant', is a fast-growing, thorny shrub native to tropical America. Its bipinnate leaves famously fold upon touch, and it produces globe-shaped pinkish-purple flowers. Due to its size and invasive nature in some regions, it is best suited for specialized botanical collections or cultivated with strict containment measures.
Native range
Tropical and subtropical America, from Mexico to Argentina.
Care tips
It requires full sun and moist, well-draining soils, preferring warm, tropical climates. Watering should be abundant, especially during active growth periods, but avoid waterlogging. It is crucial to prevent its uncontrolled spread, as it is a highly invasive species in many ecosystems outside its native range. A common mistake is underestimating its growth potential and colonization capacity.
How to save a dying Giant sensitive plant
- Warning signs
- Leaves not closing on touch, flaccid or yellowing. Soft stems or dark spots.
- First aid
- Check drainage and soil moisture. Repot if waterlogged, pruning rotten roots.
- What kills it
- Overwatering that rots roots or lack of light. Does not tolerate cold.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act quickly. It's robust, but sensitive to waterlogging and low temperatures.