Biophytum sensitivum

Little Tree Plant, Sensitive Plant, Small Tree Plant, Life Plant, Touch-Sensitive Plant, Mukkutti

Moderate careTerrestrial1030 cm

A miniature palm-like herb from tropical Asia, with a single unbranched stem topped by a rosette of feathery, pinnate leaves that fold shut when touched and close again each night. Two things make it stand out in a terrarium: a slow circadian leaf-folding rhythm, and an immediate seismonastic response to touch — brush its leaves and they fold shut, reopening a few minutes later. It is short-lived, typically completing its life cycle in 12–18 months before setting seed and dying, but the explosive seed pods scatter seeds into the substrate and a healthy terrarium can sustain a self-seeding population. It does best kept consistently moist in high humidity, 15–28 °C, with bright indirect light.

Build a terrarium with this plant

Care

Prefers high humidity, indirect light, with 15–30 °C, and reaches 30 cm at maturity.

Light

Indirect light(preferred)Shade tolerant

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)Very high (80%+)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
15°C30°C

Soil

Moisture retentive(preferred)Peat mossLoamy

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

5.5 – 6.5

Propagation

Surface-sow onto moist substrate and keep warm (20–30 °C); seeds need light to germinate, so do not bury them. In terrarium conditions, seeds released by the explosive pods will often self-sow without any intervention. Tie a small muslin bag over ripening pods if you want to harvest seeds and control where they land.

Native range

Native to China, Eastern Asia, Indian Subcontinent, Indo-China, and Malesia.

Appearance

Growth habit

UprightRosette

Leaf shape

CompoundOval

Leaf texture

FineSmooth

Frequently asked

Can Little Tree Plant grow in a closed terrarium?

Yes. Little Tree Plant prefers high (60–80%) humidity, which is what a closed terrarium provides, and tolerates indirect-light-loving conditions.

Does Little Tree Plant need drainage?

Little Tree Plant prefers a moist substrate. Drainage is helpful but not critical; consistent moisture matters more.

What humidity does Little Tree Plant need?

Little Tree Plant does best in high (60–80%) humidity.

How tall does Little Tree Plant grow?

Little Tree Plant typically reaches 10–30 cm at maturity.

How do you propagate Little Tree Plant?

Little Tree Plant can be propagated by seeds.

References

  1. 1

    Kew Plants of the World Online — Biophytum sensitivum

    https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:371965-1
  2. 2

    Terrarium Tribe — Biophytum sensitivum Little Tree Plant

    https://terrariumtribe.com/terrarium-plants/biophytum-sensitivum-little-tree-plant/
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

    Glass Box Tropicals — Biophytum sensitivum

    https://glassboxtropicals.com/biophytum-sensitivum/
  6. 6

    PMC — Ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Biophytum sensitivum

    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3358971/
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9

    PlantIn — Biophytum sensitivum

    https://myplantin.com/plant/5866