Mimosa Pudica (from Latin: Pudica "shy, bashful or shrinking"; also called sensitive plant, sleepy plant, action plant, Dormilones, touch-me-not, shame plant, zombie plant, or shy plant) is a creeping annual or perennial flowering plant of the pea/legume family - the leaves fold inward and droop when touched or shaken, defending themselves from harm, and re-open a few minutes later.
Though often grown for it's curiosity value, Mimosa Pudica boasts an impressive array of benefits and uses spanning its time sharing its spaces with humans over thousands of years.
The Sensitivity Plant is easy to grow. Being a tropical plant, it needs warmth and grows as a pot plant in the UK indoors in a sunny, warm place. Typically growing as a weed in its native habitat, it can also thrive in dappled shade, so long as it is sufficiently warm. Avoid over-watering to prevent root rot, reducing or withholding watering during the Winter months.
