Commonly known as sensitive plant, Mimosa (Mimosa pudica) grows naturally in areas with bright sunlight and suitable soils. This shrubby perennial plant grows about 18 inches and produces blossoms that resemble small pompoms in light shades of pink and purple. The Mimosa leaves droop when touched, giving this plant its interesting nickname. These plants reproduce from seeds formed in pea-shaped pods. Many gardeners grow these perennials as annuals in the garden and landscape.
Soak your Mimosa seeds to soften the hard, outer shell. Place your seeds in a small glass bowl. Cover the seeds with warm water and allow the seeds to soak overnight. Use only healthy seeds that swell when soaked. Toss out any deformed seeds or ones that remain hard and firm.
Fill your biodegradable pots with well-drained potting soil. Leave about 1 inch of space below the rims of your pots. Lay three or four of the damp Mimosa seeds over the surface of the soil in each of your small pots. Cover the seeds with a layer of potting soil. Make this layer about twice as thick as the diameter of your Mimosa seeds. Gently press the surface of the soil with your fingertips to encourage good seed to soil contact.
Water your planted seeds with a gentle stream of water. Thoroughly soak the seeds until you notice moisture near the bottoms of your biodegradable pots. Set the pots in a large tray or casserole dish to catch excess moisture.
Place your Mimosa plants in a brightly lit area, such as a southern window with full exposure to sunlight. Do not place these in drafty areas or areas that experience fluctuating temperatures, such as those near air conditioners of doorways. Keep the surface of the soil slightly moist while your Mimosa seeds germinate. Germination normally takes between one to two weeks.
Thin out your Mimosa plants when they develop their second set of leaves. Gently pinch out all but the strongest seedling in each pot. Avoid disturbing the soil near your healthy seedling when removing the others from the pots.