Sensitive plant care guide

The sensitive plant has soft, feathery leaves that fold up in seconds when you touch them. The whole stem can droop at once. A few minutes later, the leaves open again. Kids love it. It also folds its leaves at night. In summer, it may bloom with fluffy pink puffball flowers. It grows fast from seed and is easy to start over.

Why the leaves fold

When something touches a leaf, cells at the base of each leaflet lose water fast. The leaflets collapse and fold. It is thought to scare off insects and grazing animals. Folding uses energy. Touch it for fun, but not all day, or it weakens.

Light

Give it bright light with a few hours of direct sun. A south or west window is best. A grow light works too.

In low light, the stems stretch and flop, and the leaves stay half closed.

Water

Keep the soil moist. Water when the surface just starts to dry. Water until it drains, then empty the saucer. Do not let it dry out, and do not let it sit soggy. In winter, it needs water less often.

Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.

Soil and potting

Use a well-draining houseplant mix.

It does not like its roots disturbed. Move it to a bigger pot only when roots fill the pot. See how to repot a houseplant step by step.

Humidity and temperature

It does best at 40% humidity or higher. Dry air browns the leaf edges.

Keep it warm, between 18 and 29°C (65 and 85°F). Keep it above 15°C (60°F). Cold air makes the leaves stay closed.

Feeding

Feed every two weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Skip feeding in fall and winter.

Pruning

Pinch the stem tips to keep it bushy. The stems have small prickles, so pinch with care.

Indoors, a sensitive plant often gets leggy after a year or two. Start a fresh plant from seed or cuttings.

Growing from seed

Sensitive plant is easy to grow from seed. The seeds have a hard coat. Soak them in warm water overnight. Sow them about 0.5 cm (¼ in) deep in moist seed mix. Keep them warm, around 21 to 27°C (70 to 80°F), and in bright light. They sprout in one to three weeks. The first true leaves fold when touched.

Propagation

Stem cuttings also work. Cut a stem tip 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in) long. Push it into moist mix. Cover it with a clear bag and keep it warm. Roots take four to six weeks. Seed is faster and easier.

Problems

What you see	Most likely cause
Leaves stay closed in the day	Not enough light, cold, or touched too often
Long, floppy stems	Not enough light
Yellow leaves and soggy soil	Too much water
Leaves drop and stems droop	It dried out
Brown, crispy leaf edges	Dry air
Fine webbing between leaves	Spider mites

Pests

Spider mites are the most common pest, most of all in dry air. Mealybugs can hide where leaves meet stems. Rinse the plant in the shower with a soft spray. It will fold up, then reopen.

Pet safety

Sensitive plant is not on the ASPCA list of toxic or non-toxic plants. It contains mimosine, a compound known to harm grazing animals that eat large amounts. Its risk to pets is not clear. Keep it out of reach of cats and dogs to be safe.

A note on growing it outside

In warm climates, sensitive plant escapes gardens and becomes an invasive weed. In places with cold winters, it does not survive outside and stays a houseplant.