How to Harvest Mimosa Pudica Seeds

Mimosa pudica, or sensitive plant, is a fascinating plant that folds its leaves at stimuli such as touch or shaking. The leaves also fold up and droop downward in the evening, remaining that way until sunrise. The plant, also known as humble plant or shame plant, is often grown as a houseplant. It grows as a perennial in warmer climates. In tropical areas, the plant is often considered a weed. At maturity, Mimosa pudica reaches heights of about 18 inches. To propagate new plants, harvest seeds from the purplish blooms.

Kitchen or garden shears
Paper sack or mesh screen
Tweezers (optional)
Paper envelope

Instructions

- 1
  Allow a few blooms to wilt. When the puffy blooms dry up, they are replaced by pods measuring about 1/2 inch in length.
- 2
  Cut the pods from the plant using kitchen or garden shears. Each pod contains three or four seeds. If the plant is grown outdoors, harvest the pods as soon as they dry but before the pods split and release the seeds.
- 3
  Place the pods in a paper sack. Place the sack in a dry, well-ventilated spot until spring planting time. If you grow Mimosa pudica indoors and want to plant the seeds sooner, spread the pods on a mesh screen for one to two weeks or until the pods are completely dry.
- 4
  Split the pods with your fingernail to remove the seeds. Pick out the seeds with your fingers, or use tweezers.
- 5
  Discard the pods, along with other plant debris.
- 6
  Plant the Mimosa pudica seeds. If you aren't ready to plant, place the seeds in a paper envelope. Store the envelope in a dry, dark, well-ventilated spot until you're ready to plant.

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