Ticklish plants

3282557521 D67Ba72592-1

@NYC Toy Fair 2009 - We stopped by and visited our pals who sell the plants you can tickle... When you touch them, they "curl up" a bit, it's very cute. The TickleMe Plant has also been called the "Shy Plant", "Humble Plant", "Sleeping Grass", "Touch-Me-Not", "Noli Me Tangere" , "Sensitive Plant" and "Modest Princess." Mimosa pudica is its scientific name. Mark the owner has a bit of history on their site...

When my brother Larry and I were children, we would show our friends our TickleMe Plants and watch the looks of disbelief and excitement on their faces. Growing TickleMe Plants from seeds was then and still is a magical experience for us. Throughout our lives, we continued to grow our own TickleMe Plants. I became a science teacher and over my 30 years of teaching have had many budding scientists experience the joy of raising their own TickleMe Plants. Larry and I decided to form the TickleMe Plant Company, so that we could make the TickleMe Plant experience available to all people young and old. Many children (and adults) have never been exposed to the joy and importance of plants. Watching a plant grow and move can be an unforgettable experience. We don't want children and those young at heart, to lose "touch" with our living world. What better adventure than to raise their own TickleMe Plant from seed? A great experience for everyone! Growing a TickleMe Plant is the perfect gift for someone who wants to share their love of nature and gardening! In addition, we donate 1% of all profits after taxes to The Nature Conservancy's program, 'Adopt an Acre'®, to save the rainforest.

Recent Entries

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: Anonymous on February 17, 2009 at 7:10 PM

I seem to be losing sound at :24 .

Otherwise...Looks really neat.


Posted by: NK1 on February 17, 2009 at 11:53 PM

Weed

They grow on the Big Island of Hawaii on the Hilo side at least, they spread quickly and have thorns, but they are fun to torment.


Posted by: Tara on February 19, 2009 at 5:19 AM

Kids Favorite Plant

I grow these with my kids at school and show them off to my friends. There is no other plant as interactive as this.
Its an experience every child can have and those young at heart. They also grow pink flowers, sleep at night and whent they get cold. I have seen mine close their leaves and lower their branches when a breeze blew over them.
No green thumb needed...I grow them on a windowsill in the city


Posted by: Dean on February 19, 2009 at 9:10 AM

vegans?

What would a vegan think of this? Is this a plant they wouldn't eat? Why only exclude this one, and not the rest?


Posted by: A. Vegan on February 20, 2009 at 4:25 AM

please....

@Dean

It does seem like you put much thought into this?

Things to note:
It hasn't suddenly developed the ability to feel pain.
It still has no central nervous system.
All plants have the ability to move.
It's still a plant it didn't jump to the kingdom Animalia!


Posted by: Michael Fusion on February 20, 2009 at 6:20 AM

err

@ A. Vegan

I'm pretty sure that Dean was kidding, lighten up


Posted by: mother on February 20, 2009 at 12:41 PM

this is crazy!

they spread quickly and have thorns, its very difficult to get rid of them. the wildlife department should take a close look at this product


Leave a comment


Subscribe to MAKE!Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now


Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out. Make: The risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things... Welcome to Make: Online!


CRAFT Maker Shed Maker Faire MAKE television
Holiday Gift Guides from MAKE
Gifts for Dads
Science and Chemistry
Gifts Under $20
More guides: Santa Claus Machines, Geek Toys for Grown Up Girls & Boys


Check out all of the episodes of Make: television

Alex Rider Dream Gadget Contest
Make: Science Room

Connect with MAKE

Be a MAKE fan on Facebook MAKE on Facebook
Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of MAKE!
MAKE on Twitter MAKE on Twitter
Follow our MAKE tweets!
MAKE Flickr Pool MAKE on Flickr
Join our MAKE Flickr Pool!
    make_tips on Twitter




    Maker SHED

    Advertise here with FM.

    Why advertise on MAKE?
    Read what folks are saying about us!

    Click here to advertise on MAKE!



    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Make: Online authors!

    Gareth BranwynGareth Branwyn
    Senior Editor


    Phillip TorronePhillip Torrone
    Senior Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Becky SternBecky Stern
    Associate Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Marc de VinckMarc de Vinck
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    John ParkJohn Park
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Sean RaganSean Ragan
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Matt MetsMatt Mets
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    Dale DoughertyDale Dougherty
    Editor & Publisher
    | Twitter


    Shawn ConnallyShawn Connally
    Managing Editor
    | Twitter


    Goli MohammadiGoli Mohammadi
    Associate Managing Editor

    Kip KayKip Kay
    Weekend Projects
    | AIM | Twitter


    Collin CunninghamCollin Cunningham
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter

    Adam FlahertyAdam Flaherty
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter



    More contributors: Mark Frauenfelder (Editor-in-Chief, MAKE magazine), Kipp Bradford (Technical Consultant/Writer), Chris Connors (Education), Diana Eng (Guest Author), Peter Horvath (Intern), Brian Jepson (O'Reilly Media), Robert Bruce Thompson (Science Room)

    Suggest a Site!

    Current Podcast

    itunesdl.gif Weekend Project: Beetlebot Simple robot from your parts bin that avoids obstacles. Thanks go to Jerome Demers for the original article in MAKE, Volume 12. To download the Beetlebot video, click here or subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Beetlebot article... More...

    Get the Make: Online sent via email
    Enter your email to receive Make: Online each day:



    MAKE Fascination video series brought to you by Dow

    Make: Education
    MAKE: en Español MAKE: Japan
    Important please read


    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Recent Posts from the Craft: Blog