Sleepy Mimosa Plant Care

Sleepy Mimosa (Mimosa somnians) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Mimosa genus. Sleepy Mimosa is native to the Caribbean, Central America and South America. Sleepy Mimosa is also known as Sensitive Plant, Mimosa somnians.

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

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Sleepy Mimosa 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.

Sleepy Mimosa thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Mimosa somnians tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Sleepy Mimosa prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

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

Feed Sleepy Mimosa 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.

Sleepy Mimosa is suited to USDA Zone 10a – 12b.

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.

Sleepy Mimosa 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 Sleepy Mimosa 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.

Sleepy Mimosa is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Sleepy Mimosa 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.

Sleepy Mimosa 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.

Sleepy Mimosa grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Sleepy Mimosa is native to the Caribbean, Central America and South America. In cooler regions, grow Sleepy Mimosa as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.