Want a plant that reacts when you touch it? Water Mimosa folds its delicate fern-like leaflets inward within seconds of being disturbed, then opens again once left alone. It floats on spongy buoyant stems, forming a soft green canopy — and it is the only plant we sell that moves on its own.
What You’ll Receive
Healthy Water Mimosa plants carefully prepared by Aquarium Plants Factory®.
Variants available:
2 Plants – Unrooted
Fresh-cut floating plants without roots.
2 Plants – Rooted
Fresh-cut floating plants with visible developing roots.
10 Plants – Unrooted
Bulk portion of fresh-cut floating plants without roots.
10 Plants – Rooted
Bulk portion of fresh-cut floating plants with visible developing roots.
All plants are carefully selected and shipped fresh to ensure healthy arrival.
Plant Profile
- Common name — Water Mimosa, also known as Sensitive Water Mimosa
- Scientific name — Neptunia oleracea
- Placement — Floating
- Mature height — 6–8 in above the surface
- Growth rate — Fast
Care
- Difficulty — Beginner
- Light — Medium to high
- CO₂ — Not required
- Water — 70–85°F · pH 6.5–7.5. Warmth matters more than most floaters
- Substrate — Not required. Feeds from the water column
- Growth habit — Amphibious. Also roots in pond margins
- Propagation — Plantlets along trailing stems
Grower’s Notes
- The leaf movement is real and repeatable. Touch, vibration or a sudden change in light causes the leaflets to fold within a second or two, reopening over the next few minutes. It is the same mechanism as the terrestrial sensitive plant.
- Keep the foliage dry. Like other floaters, the leaves sit above the waterline and rot if constantly splashed — aim filter outflow below the surface.
- It wants warmth. Growth slows markedly at the cool end of its range, so this is a poor choice for an unheated tank.
- Propagate by separating plantlets that form along the trailing stems and floating them on. It spreads quickly enough to need thinning.
- Expect folded leaves on arrival. Transit stress makes it close up; it reopens within a day of being floated in stable conditions.
Want to go deeper? Read our guide to the Best Floating Plants for Freshwater Aquariums.
Notes
- Aquatic plants may experience minor cosmetic changes during shipping due to temperature, handling, and transit time. Leaves may temporarily fold or show slight stress but typically recover quickly once placed in suitable aquarium or pond conditions.
- Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.
At a glance
- Free shipping on orders of $150 or more (after discounts) within the contiguous United States, by USPS.
- Free thermal protection is included with every shipment, all year round.
- Processing: most orders leave us within 1 to 2 business days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
- USPS (2 to 5 business days) ships Monday through Saturday.
- UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
- UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday. Order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
- Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and military addresses ship by USPS at a flat rate shown at checkout.
- Weather holds: during extreme heat or cold we may hold live orders until it's safe to ship.
- We ship within the United States only.
Please bring live plants indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Every live order is covered by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee.
The complete rules, including lost packages and address issues, are in our Shipping Policy. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.
Every live order is backed by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee. If a plant arrives dead, we'll make it right.
How it works
- Tell us within 24 hours of the delivery time on your tracking.
- Send photos of the affected items in their original, unopened packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label, to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com with your order number.
- We'll make it right with a replacement, store credit or refund for the affected item.
Good to know
- Some melting or yellowing as plants adjust from greenhouse to aquarium life is normal. They regrow from healthy roots and rhizomes.
- Please bring your package indoors and unpack it the day it arrives.
- Free promotional items and shipping charges are not covered.
The complete rules, including what's covered and what voids the guarantee, are in our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.
Please review your state's regulations on restricted plants, as we are committed to not shipping plants that are restricted in your area. Do not release any plants into the wild or waterways, as this can harm local ecosystems by introducing invasive species.
Your cooperation in protecting the environment is appreciated. For continuously updated information, refer to the USDA State Noxious Weed list here.
Thank you for your responsible commitment to environmental preservation.
V
I recommend this plant. However, as of Dec 25 there is nothing mentioned about the "cotton" on stem on the info page for this plant. Lost a star for that otherwise would be 5 star review.
Search online says "If you remove the "cotton" from the stem of a water mimosa, the plant may die or struggle significantly because that tissue is a vital, naturally occurring part of its aquatic structure."
Also says "The "cotton-like" material is actually a specialized, spongy, air-conducting tissue called aerenchyma."
I didn't realize any of this until after I removed it. As of 3 days in aquarium my 2 water mimosas are still floating and leaves and roots are looking great. Hope it survives my "cotton" removal.
A
a little wilted, but the notes say that's what they do in transit. the color is good.
C
I ordered two pairs of unrooted cuttings and they only sent one.
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