The fluffy yellow sprigs sold every spring for 8 March are universally called mimosa. Botanists disagree: they are actually silver wattle, an acacia, while true mimosa looks completely different and can "hide" its leaves when touched. Here is where the confusion comes from, where bouquet "mimosa" grows, why it became the symbol of International Women's Day and how to stop a bouquet from shedding the next day.
Spring "mimosa" is silver wattle (Acacia dealbata), a member of the legume family. It is native to south-eastern Australia and Tasmania, where it grows into a tree 10–15 metres tall or more with silvery-green feathery leaves. It was brought to Europe in the 19th century and now grows on the French Riviera, in Italy and on the Black Sea coast. It flowers from January to March: its heads, yellow balls about 5 mm across, form lush, strongly scented sprays.
The name "mimosa" stuck because of the similar feathery leaves and pompom flowers. True mimosa, the sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica), is a low tropical plant with pink flower heads whose leaves fold at the slightest touch and reopen a few minutes later. It is grown as a houseplant curiosity.
The tradition comes from Italy: in 1946 activists of the Union of Italian Women proposed mimosa as the symbol of International Women's Day because it blooms in early March, is inexpensive and grows almost everywhere. Italians have given sprigs of mimosa on 8 March ever since. In post-Soviet countries mimosa became the main flower of the holiday alongside tulips, as it was shipped in bulk from the Black Sea coast. For greeting ideas see 8 March cards and potted plants for Women's Day.
In Spain and Portugal silver wattle has naturalised and is considered invasive, crowding out native plants.
Mimosa is fussy: in a warm, dry flat its pompoms quickly darken and drop. A few rules extend its life:
A bouquet usually lasts 3–5 days. Afterwards, do not throw it away: mimosa dries beautifully, keeps its yellow colour and works well in dried arrangements.
Choose tulips for spring holidays in our tulip catalogue, and read why women love flowers.
Mimosa has a strong scent and plenty of pollen, so it can cause sneezing and headaches in sensitive people. If you are unsure how the recipient will react, choose a small bouquet or pair mimosa with tulips as an accent.
The sensitive plant is grown as an annual from seed. Soak the seeds in warm water for half an hour, sow them in spring in light compost and keep them at 22–25 °C. The plant needs bright light, humid air and moderate watering, and pink pompom flowers appear in summer. The main attraction is its response to touch: the leaflets fold within seconds and reopen after 10–20 minutes. Do not touch it too often or it will weaken. The sensitive plant is mildly toxic, so keep it away from children and pets.
Bouquet "mimosa" is silver wattle, an acacia. True mimosa is a different plant with pink flowers.
Usually 3–5 days, longer if kept cool and humid.
Silver wattle is grown in tubs in cool, bright rooms but rarely flowers in a flat. The sensitive plant is easy to grow from seed on a windowsill.
Because of warm, dry air and lack of water. Splitting the stems, a hot-water dip and misting help.
Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
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