The Encyclopedia of House Plants

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Biophytum

Family: Oxalidaceae.

Biophytum sensitivum DC. Common name(s): Life Plant
Biophytum Genus of about 70 species from tropical arears of Africa and Asia. Stems simple, to 10 inches; leaves to 5 inches long, leaflets 8-17 pairs, rectangular to cuneate-obovate, to 1/2 inch long. The leaves of Biophytum are sensitive to touch.
Growing conditions Watering and misting Propagation
Average warmth. Keep fairly cool in winter (60F or 16-18C). Provide as much light as possible. Water freely from spring to autumn - sparingly in winter. Misting is necessary. Seeds sown in spring at 70F germinate quickly.

User-submitted additions and corrections:

Frank
USA
31st May 2008
I have found this plant to be a little on the fussy side. Not so much with respect to light but with respect to high humidity/air movment. I live in New Jersey, and during summer in the shade it does very well. I would imagine that it does well in Florida.
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