Plant DetailShow Menu

Garden Balsam Impatiens balsamina

Phonetic Spelling
im-PAY-shens bal-SAM-in-uh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Garden balsam is a frost-tender annual in Balsaminaceae (impatens) family.  The sparsely branched succulent stems can grow up to 30" tall but frequently exceeds this height in the wild.    The vibrant cup-shaped flowers come in various shades of white, pink, red, and a bicolor version. 

It prefers a moist setting and has a low tolerance for drought conditions.  

Each flower has both male and female organs that are pollinated by insects.  Seeds may inadvertently be spread as the capsules burst open, spreading the seed a distance from the plant.  Seed collection is difficult as the capsules are sensitive to the touch, the capsules may burst open during collection.  

An ideal plant for containers and areas along walks or paths.

Insect, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  Its self-seeding tendencies can lead to weedy spreading. 

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#rose#white flowers#pink flowers#frost tender#fast growing#summer flowers#deer browsing plant#dye plant#pollinator plant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#annual#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#rose#white flowers#pink flowers#frost tender#fast growing#summer flowers#deer browsing plant#dye plant#pollinator plant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#annual#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Impatiens
    Species:
    balsamina
    Family:
    Balsaminaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    In traditional cultures in Southeast Asia the plant is used as a dye and for medical treatments.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Western & South India, Sri Lanka
    Wildlife Value:
    Attractive to bees and other insects as well as nectar-feeding birds.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Defines Paths
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Open
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    The only Impatiens species that have pubescent developing seed pods. Immature capsules are green and mature to yellow. When touched they explode and spread their seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    2" single to double flowers are hermaphroditic. They open as the male stage, the anthers fall off in a few days and the same flower becomes female and receptive to pollination.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Light green 3.5" elliptical to lanceolate serrate leaves
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Has a thick, soft green to red stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Problems:
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Large quantities when eaten raw, accumulate calcium oxalate. It produces a orange stain when you break off the stems/flowers. The plant uses this compound as a defense against grazing, which is why deer only ingest young seedlings or newest shoot tips.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Calcium oxalate and possibly saponic glycoside
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Leaves