Growing Touch Me Not Plants from Seeds – A Complete Guide

Touch me not plants, which are also called mimosa pudica or sensitive plants, are one-of-a-kind flowering plants that move quickly and have leaflets that fold inward when touched. Growing touch me nots from seeds is a fun and easy way to add something new to your garden.

An Overview of Touch Me Not Plants

Touch me not refers to a flowering plant species that reacts to touch. There are around 120 varieties of touch me not plants, both annual and perennial The two most popular touch me nots for home gardens are

• Spotted touch me not (Impatiens capensis) is a plant that grows naturally in North America and has flowers with orange spots. This variety acts as an annual in most regions.

• Yellow touch me not (Impatiens pallida) – Originally from Europe and Asia with light yellow blooms. This species acts as a perennial in zones 5-9.

Both of these touch me not species produce dainty bell-shaped flowers that attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. They thrive in damp conditions and have succulent stems and leaves. An interesting feature of these plants is how their leaflets quickly fold together when touched, shaken or disturbed. This folding takes anywhere from a few seconds to a minute. The leaves then reopen once the plant is left alone.

Where to Find Touch Me Not Seeds

The easiest way to start growing these interesting plants is from touch me not seeds. Here are some top sources to find seeds:

• Specialty online seed retailers – These will have the biggest selection, sometimes with many spotted, yellow or other touch me not varieties.

• Native plant nurseries – These may carry seeds of native touch me nots like the North American spotted variety.

• Local seed exchanges – Check for seeds at plant swaps, clubs, shows etc.

• Collect your own – Harvest ripe seed pods from existing plants in late summer/fall.

Shop early in spring for the best touch me not seed availability. Packets are usually priced $3 to $10 and contain up to 1⁄4 ounce of seeds.

When to Sow Touch Me Not Seeds

Follow these guidelines for optimal touch me not seed sowing times:

• In warm climates, grow as an annual and sow after the last spring frost.

• The yellow type can grow as a perennial in zones 5–9. For these regions, sow in late spring or early fall. Add winter mulch for fall plantings.

• Aim for soil temperatures above 65°F for the best germination rates. Cooler soil will lead to spotty sprouting.

Plant your seeds once the soil has properly warmed in spring after frost danger passes. Those in warmer zones can also sow in fall for blooms the following year. Just protect young plants from freezing.

How to Plant Touch Me Not Seeds Outdoors

Planting touch me not seeds outside is simple using these steps:

• Pick a spot – Select a site with rich moist soil and partial to full shade. Marshy areas, pond/stream banks etc. are ideal.

• Prepare soil – Work in compost if needed to enrich and improve moisture retention.

• Sow seeds – Scatter seeds over the soil surface, pressing lightly into the top 1⁄4 inch.

• Water gently – Water enough to moisten the soil without washing away seeds.

• Mulch – Add a thin mulch layer to conserve moisture around the seeds.

• Care for seedlings – Keep soil moist for germination. Thin to 8-12 inches apart once plants are established.

Follow proper planting methods and young touch me nots will thrive with minimal work.

Caring for Growing Touch Me Not Plants

A few simple care guidelines will keep your touch me not plants healthy:

• Watering – Supply consistent moisture. Avoid letting the soil completely dry out.

• Sunlight – Yellow touch me not favors partial sun. Spotted variety thrives in full shade.

• Fertilizing – Use a balanced organic fertilizer monthly during the growing season.

• Pruning – Snip off finished flower stems to encourage new blooms.

• Winter care – Insulate first year fall plantings. Cut back perennial varieties in the fall.

• Division – Divide congested perennial clumps every 2-3 years after flowering concludes.

With proper growing conditions and care, touch me nots will produce their unique sensitive foliage and charming flowers into the summer months.

When and How to Harvest Touch Me Not Seeds

Mature touch me not plants produce seed pods perfect for collecting and saving seeds:

• Look for ripe pods – Leave pods on plants until they turn dry and brittle in late summer/fall.

• Timing – Plan to harvest pods anywhere from August through October depending on your climate.

• Collecting method – Bag dried pods, then shake gently to separate released seeds.

• Cleaning – Sift out debris. Remove any unopened pods.

• Storage – Place cleaned seeds in envelopes/jars in a cool, dry spot.

Saving touch me not seeds ensures you’ll have an endless supply for future planting.

Storing the Seeds Correctly

With the right storage methods, touch me not seeds typically remain viable to plant for 2-3 years:

• Containers – Glass jars, paper envelopes or packets work well. Avoid plastic.

• Location – Store in a cool (45-55°F), dry spot like a refrigerator or unheated basement/garage.

• Moisture control – Include desiccant packs in storage containers to absorb humidity.

• Periodic checks – Inspect stored seeds and discard any moldy ones. Replace desiccants.

Follow these tips and your collected touch me not seeds will be ready to sow next season!

Uses for Touch Me Not Plants

Aside from being ornamental garden additions, touch me nots also have some other fantastic uses:

• Dried seed pods make great crafting materials and additions to floral arrangements.

• Fresh leaf/stem juice can be used to soothe skin irritations like poison ivy based on folklore uses.

• Their spreading growth makes them ideal flowering ground covers for shady moist areas.

• They attract and feed pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Companion Planting Options

Some excellent companion plants for touch me nots include:

• Ferns – Astilbe, maidenhair, royal ferns

• Shade perennials – Coral bells, foamflower, wild ginger

• Grasses – Japanese forest grass, sedge, switchgrass

• Other shade lovers – Columbine, foxglove, jack-in-the-pulpit

Choose other moisture and shade-loving plants to grow alongside your touch me nots.

Troubleshooting Common Touch Me Not Problems

While low-maintenance overall, watch for these potential touch me not issues:

• Limited sprouting – Try soaking seeds before planting or scarifying hard shells.

• Leggy growth – This indicates insufficient light. Ensure plants receive morning or dappled shade.

• Leaf spots – Improve airflow to prevent fungal disease in damp conditions.

• Pests like aphids – Wipe off by hand or use insecticidal soap sprays.

• Slugs/snails – Remove by hand or trap around plants. Diatomaceous earth also helps.

The Reward of Growing Touch Me Nots

With their fun exploding seed pods and sensitive foliage, touch me not plants offer intrigue and novelty to shady gardens. Their dangling bell flowers also give color while attracting pollinators. Starting touch me nots from seeds is simple and earns you an endless free supply. Give this hands-on gardening project a try for a uniquely interactive plant!