Plants That Close Their Leaves or Flowers at Night – Examples and Why They Do It

Do you have plants that close their leaves at night and reopen them when daylight returns? This fascinating behavior, known as nyctinasty, occurs in a wide range of garden plants, houseplants, trees, shrubs, and legumes. Some flowers also close at night and reopen when daylight returns.

If you’ve noticed a plant folding its leaves after sunset or closing its blooms in the evening, there’s usually no cause for concern. It’s a normal response to changing light conditions and part of the plant’s natural growth cycle.

In this guide, you’ll find examples of plants that close at night, along with information about why they do it and how nyctinastic movement works.

Some of the links below are affiliate links. I earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you purchase through an affiliate link.

List of plants that close their leaves at night

Not all plants close up in response to low light. Those that do fall into the category of annuals, perennials, vegetables and more. Here are some plants that do:

Legumes

The legume or pea family has many members that close up their leaves or flowers at night. Some examples are:

• Beans
• Peas
• Alfalfa

Flowering plants that are nyctinastic

Many annual, perennial, and bulb plants have leaves or flowers that open and close in response to light. Here are a few examples:

• Crocus
• Tulip
• California Poppy
• Easter Cactus
• Morning Glory
• Oxalis – false shamrock
• Lotus
• Waterlily
• Chickweed
• Gazania

Trees and Shrubs that close up their leaves and flowers at night

Here are a few trees with nastic movements in response to light:

• Magnolia
• Mimosa pudica – also known as a sensitive plant or mimicry plant
• Rose of Sharon

Houseplants and Tropical Plants that close up their leaves at night

There are several tropical plants are commonly grown as houseplants in less temperate hardiness zones. Some have the habit of closing up at night. One popular one is the prayer plant.

The whole Arrow root family, of which Marantaceae is a member, all close their leaves at night. Maranta, also known as the prayer plant.

Why do plants close their leaves at night?

Plants move in different ways. For some, it is just a “blowing in the wind way.” But for others, the movement is intentional, as in plant tendrils grabbing poles to climb on.

Another example of plant movement is nyctinasty – closure of the leaves entirely.

Nyctinasty is the movement of leaves and some flowers that happens in response to changes around them.

Think of it in human terms and circadian rhythms.  We sleep in response to the change of night and day, but plants don’t sleep. They just take a little breather from the light.

Types of nastic movement in plants

Nyctinasty is just one type of nastic movement in plants (reversible and repeatable movements in response to stimuli that is part of a plant’s make-up.) 

The Venus flytrap eating bugs is another example of nastic movement in plants.

Have you experienced other plants that open and close their leaves or flowers in response to day and night? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

Share this guide to plants that close their leaves at night on X

If you enjoyed learning about nyctinastic plants, why not share this post with a friend?

🌿 Do your plants seem to go to sleep at night? Some plants naturally close their leaves or flowers after sunset and reopen in the morning - a fascinating process called nyctinasty 🌙 Discover 15+ plants that do this (and why it… Share on X

Pin these Nyctinastic Plants for later.

Would you like a list of these plants that close up at night? Just pin this image to one of your gardening boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.

Share on Social Media