Giant Sensitive Plant Plant Care

Giant Sensitive Plant (Mimosa diplotricha) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Mimosa genus. Giant Sensitive Plant is native to the Neotropics. Giant Sensitive Plant is also known as Hairy Cat"s Claw, Creeping Mimosa, Shameplant.

Giant Sensitive Plant displays a fast-growing spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Giant Sensitive Plant produces puffball-like clusters of pink, white, or purple flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Giant Sensitive Plant every 4–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Giant Sensitive Plant thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Mimosa diplotricha tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Giant Sensitive Plant prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Giant Sensitive Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Giant Sensitive Plant every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Giant Sensitive Plant is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Giant Sensitive Plant can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Giant Sensitive Plant while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Giant Sensitive Plant is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Giant Sensitive Plant can be propagated through seeds, root cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to devil's claw plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Giant Sensitive Plant is susceptible to spider mites, caterpillars, leafhoppers. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Giant Sensitive Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Giant Sensitive Plant is native to the Neotropics. In cooler regions, grow Giant Sensitive Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.