How to Grow and Care for Balsam Flowers

Before the ubiquitous impatiens of today, there were balsam flowers. Victorians loved these Asian imports during the early 20th century, but the flowers’ popularity waned as the interest in hybrid annuals grew after World War II. Today’s gardeners are bringing this heirloom back to the seed rack as they discover how easy and adaptable it is.

Balsam plants grow about 12 to 24 inches tall, making them suitable for the middle of the summer flower border as long as they are planted in early spring after the late frost.

The flowers resemble small camellias or the double hybrids of impatiens. However, unlike hybrid impatiens, these come true from seed. Flowers are produced along the stem, but their vivid colors of pink, white, red, purple, and rose allow them to be seen easily among the foliage. Leaves are dark green, lance-shaped, and slightly toothed.

How to Grow Balsam Flowers

Easy-to-grow balsams benefit from a protective layer of mulch. Besides that, their needs are few. They quickly bounce back from wilting and can even tolerate a range of sun exposures.

As expected for an old-fashioned favorite, Impatiens balsamina goes by several charming nicknames, including touch-me-not, jumping Betty, and lady’s slipper. However you ask for it at the garden center, keep in mind that balsam flowers are tender annuals that complete their life cycle in one season. Once established though, the annual will continue to bloom well into the fall.

Light

The flowers grow well in both full sun and partial shade. The best site offers some protection from the afternoon sun, which may cause some browning of the foliage. It survives even in full shade, except it will be sparse with few blooms.

Soil

Organically rich, well-draining soil is best for touch-me-not flowers. Other than this requirement, soils ranging from sandy to loamy to clay-like will serve the low-maintenance plant well.

Water

Keep balsam plants consistently moist throughout the growing season. They will continue to bloom throughout your worst heat waves, but only if they have enough to drink. Conversely, they will stop flowering if they do not get enough water.

Temperature and Humidity

Balsam flowers do not tolerate cold temperatures (32 degrees Fahrenheit or below) well and are susceptible to frost. They thrive in warm temperatures although can wilt if summer temps spike too high. Due to its water requirements, balsam tolerates warm, humid weather well.

Fertilizer

Fertilize with a balanced, slow-release flower fertilizer every two weeks. The form of the plants makes deadheading nearly impossible, but removing seed heads would deny you the inevitable volunteers that will grace your garden next year.

Potting and Repotting

Balsam can be grown in containers on balconies or terraces, just make sure to use a large enough pot to give the plant plenty of room. Plants need at least 12 to 18 inches of room between each other.

Propagating Balsam Flowers

You probably won’t find transplants of balsam sold at the nursery, but you can start this forgiving annual from seed. The seeds sprout in as little as four days in moist soil at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Start them indoors about eight weeks before your average last frost, planning for about 60 days from seed to first bloom. Light hastens germination, so don’t cover the seeds with soil.

When soil temperatures begin to warm, usually as the average nighttime temperatures reach about 60 degrees, you can harden off your balsam seedlings and place them in the garden. Plant them about a foot apart in groups of five to seven or more for greatest impact.

If you want to collect seeds at the end of the season to plant in other areas, keep a baggie very close, as the ripe seedheads will burst and distribute their contents everywhere when you pinch them.

Garden Design

Like cosmos and cleome, balsam reseeds prolifically. Plant these three flowers together, and you will have a self-perpetuating garden that attracts butterflies and sphinx moths. Plant a large stand of balsam in your cottage garden to give it that heirloom authenticity. Balsam flowers grow well in the container garden. Their upright habit complements trailing flowers like portulaca or verbena.

Varieties of Balsam Flowers

For a lovely garden, look for these varieties and mixes:

• Blackberry Trifle: Seek out this unusual sport with purple and white variegated petals.
• Bush Mix: Unnamed balsam plants may get lanky by season’s end, but the Bush Mix stays compact and full.
• Camellia Flower Mix: Lushly petaled flowers give the look of camellias to gardeners in every growing region.
• Tom Thumb Mix: Averaging 8 to 10 inches in height, choose this variety for the edge of the border or the container garden.