Sunshine Mimosa

Mimosa strigillosa

Adorable pink puffball flowers decorate sunshine mimosa groundcover, but they're not the most unique thing about this plant.

Mimosa creates a dense green blanket of tiny fern-like leaves that shrink instantly from touch...giving it the common name of "Sensitive Plant." Within seconds of being touched the bright green leaves fold up, to the delight of kids of all ages.

This is one of the fastest low growing groundcovers to fill in a bare spot in a hurry.

It actually makes a good lawn replacement. You can walk on it now and then and mow it occasionally, but it keeps on going.

These plants are also a good choice for embankments where soil erosion is an issue.

The little pink flowers pop up above the foliage during warm weather, with the charming look of wildflowers.

Mimosa takes its job seriously - to cover the ground. It can be harnessed by growing in places that are bordered by sidewalks or drives, or trim back shoots on a regular basis.

If it grows into your lawn and mixes with the turf grass, mimosa can add greenery to a sparse lawn area (ask me how I know this!).

Plant specs

Sunshine mimosa is a fast grower that does best - and flowers most - in full to part sun.

It prefers the warm temperatures of Zone 10, though in Zone 9B it may come back in spring after dying back in winter.

In a harsh Zone 10 winter, the plant may lose some leaves but fills back out as soon as the weather warm up.

Bloom time is during warm months of the year, though in a mild winter you may get flowers all year.

Plant care

Add top soil to the hole when you plant. Water on a regular basis.

You'll need to keep the planting area edged often to keep the groundcover from wandering where it's not wanted.

Fertilize once or twice a year in spring and late summer with a controlled release fertilizer.

Plant spacing

Place these fast growers 3 or 4 feet apart.

They can go as close as 2 feet from shrubs since they stay very low and won't overwhelm or compete with them.

If you're not sure how many to buy, err on the side of caution. Just a few plants can cover a large area within one growing season.

You can grow mimosa in a container, though you'll have to stay on top of keeping it well-watered. Let it go dry just once and it will brown, drop leaves and look haggard - though a good pruning will encourage new growth.

A.K.A. (also known as): Powderpuff Mimosa

GOOD SNOWBIRD PLANT? MAYBE - in an area with definite borders

COMPANION PLANT SUGGESTIONS: Since this little mimosa plant stays so low you can mix with any size plants...such as blueberry flax lily, ruella, loropetalum, silver buttonwood, bush daisy, and foxtail fern.

Other groundcovers you might like: Perennial Peanut, Creeping Fig