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Balsam requires 60 to 70 days from sowing to produce flowers, so an early start is essential. Learn how to grow balsam and enjoy these lovely colorful flowers through the end of the season. Try growing Balsam plants from seed if you have a long growing season, or pick them up at your favorite nursery. Balsam plant care is trouble-free due to its resistance to many common garden pests. It may be plagued by soil nematodes, powdery mildew or Oedema, but these problems are relatively infrequent.
Balsminaceae impatiens is a common sun to partial shade flowering annual. It is easy to grow and widely available at nurseries and garden centers. Impatiens balsamina is known by the common name balsam or by the umbrella moniker of impatiens, which covers a wide variety of forms and tones. Balsam may also be found as “Rose Balsam.” The flowers bear double petals and come in an array of colors but are partially hidden by large attractive leaves with pronounced veins. Balsams come in white, red, orange, yellow, violet, and pink. These flowers resemble mini roses or camellias with the thickly spaced petals and tones. Some fun balsam plant information is found in another of its names: touch-me-not. The name is owing to the end of season pods which form and burst at the slightest touch.
Balsam (Impatiens balsamina) is a beloved old-fashioned annual flower that deserves a spot in gardens today These tender plants produce abundant delicate blooms in vibrant colors throughout the growing season. Balsam flowers, also known as rose balsam or touch-me-not, are easy to grow from seeds either sown directly outdoors or started indoors With proper care, these charming flowers can add a tropical feel to beds, borders, and containers.
When and How to Plant Balsam Seeds
Balsam seeds can be sown directly in the garden once daytime temperatures are consistently above 60°F and all danger of frost has passed. Choose a site with partial sun to part shade and fertile, well-draining soil Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and 6 to 12 inches apart in rows spaced 12 to 18 inches apart Keep the soil consistently moist until seeds germinate in 7 to 14 days.
For an earlier start, sow balsam seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost. Use sterile seed starting mix and sow 2 to 3 seeds per cell in flats or pots. Barely cover the seeds and keep them warm (70°F) and moist until germination. Transplant seedlings outdoors after hardening off when daytime temperatures remain above 60°F. Harden off by setting plants outside in partial shade for a few hours daily over the course of a week.
Care and Growing Tips
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Site balsam in partial sun to light shade with fertile, moist, well-drained soil. They thrive with morning sun and afternoon shade.
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Space plants 8 to 12 inches apart. Pinch out centers of young plants to promote bushiness.
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Water regularly during dry periods to keep soil consistently moist but not saturated. Mulch helps conserve soil moisture.
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Apply liquid fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season.
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Remove spent flowers to prolong blooming. Balsams self-sow readily if not deadheaded.
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Grow balsam in well-drained containers or hanging baskets. Keep compost moist and fertilize regularly. Site in part shade.
What to Expect
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Balsam grows 12 to 18 inches tall with a similar spread. The soft, succulent stems bear long, toothed leaves and clusters of Camellia-like flowers.
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Blooms appear in white, pink, rose, red, purple, violet, and bicolors. Dwarf varieties are available.
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Balsam thrives in hot, humid climates. It is not cold hardy and prefers daytime temperatures above 60°F. Protect from frost.
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In ideal conditions, balsam blooms profusely from early summer until fall. Deadhead to prolong flowering.
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When plants fade in fall, collect dry seed pods to save seeds for next year. Store in a cool, dry place.
With proper care, balsam is an easy and prolific old-fashioned annual that brings charming, abundant color to beds, borders, and containers. Sow seeds directly outdoors or get a head start by starting indoors. Give balsams part sun, rich soil, consistent moisture, and regular feeding for the best display of Camellia-like blooms.
How to Grow Balsam
Start plants indoors for an earlier color show. You may direct sow in warmer climates where soils warm up early in the spring, but the majority of gardeners will find that sowing in flats at least 8 weeks before the date of the last frost will yield the best plants. Cover the seeds with just a dusting of soil and keep moist. In garden flats, cover the top of the soil with plastic to encourage germination and keep in moisture. Expect germination when growing balsam plants from seed in approximately 10 to 15 days. Young balsam plant care should include a time release fertilizer at transplant, when plants are at least 2 inches (5 cm.) tall and have a good root base.
Balsam needs moist, well-drained soil and performs best in partial shade locations. Amend the soil with compost and break up clods before transplanting young balsam. Spacing is 12 to 18 inches (30-46 cm.) apart. Water the plants from below to help prevent powdery mildew. A soaker hose or drip line system will assist with this method of watering. The plants will need supplemental watering at least once a week in the dry months. More frequent watering is necessary when caring for balsam in containers and hanging baskets. Collect the seed pod carefully at the end of the season for another year of rose balsam beauty in your garden. Let the pod dry and keep in a closed plastic bag or jar in a dark, cool area of the home until spring.
KNOW How To Grow BALSAM From Seed With All CARE Tips [A-Z Info]
FAQ
How to grow balsam plants from seed?
How deep do you plant balsam seeds?
How do you plant balsam root seeds?
How do you plant balsam fir seeds?
How to propagate balsam?
Here are the steps for propagating balsam: a. Collect the seeds from mature balsam flowers. The seeds are small and black. b. Sow the seeds in a seed-starting mix or a well-draining potting soil. Cover the seeds lightly with soil. c. Water the soil thoroughly and place the container in a warm and bright location. d.
How do I start balsam seeds?
Start seeds indoors or directly sow in the garden once temperatures exceed 50ºF. We prefer to start balsam seeds indoors. This allows us to keep them warm and protected as well as get a headstart on flowers. Warm soil helps germination. Use a heating mat to keep the temperature between 60-70ºF.
Can you grow a balsam plant from seed?
Try growing Balsam plants from seed if you have a long growing season, or pick them up at your favorite nursery. Balsam plant care is trouble-free due to its resistance to many common garden pests. It may be plagued by soil nematodes, powdery mildew or Oedema, but these problems are relatively infrequent.
How tall does balsam grow?
Balsam grows as an annual plant in USDA zones 3 – 10 and reaches a height of 12 – 18 inches. The foliage is also attractive making Balsam a perfect flower for any garden. Balsam flower seed germinates quickly and the plant grows rapidly, blooming when it is just 3 to 4 inches tall.