Impatiens Balsam (100 SEEDS) Red Balsamin Flowers, Fast growing, Sun Loving

 Balsam can be grown in containers on balconies or terraces and is a good edging or bedding plant.

Impatiens balsamina

Common Names:

Balsam, rose balsam, touch-me-not, jumping Betty, lady’s slipper

Zone:

Grow as an annual in all growing zones

Size:

12-24 inches

Exposure:

Balsam plants grow well in both sun and shade. The best site offers some protection from afternoon sun, which may cause some browning of the foliage.

Bloom Period:

Summer to frost, about 60 days from seed to bloom

Description:

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 amongst the foliage. Leaves are dark green, lance shaped, and slightly toothed.

Planting:

You probably won’t find transplants of balsam sold at the nursery, but don’t be intimidated by starting this forgiving annual from seed. The seeds sprout in as little as four days in moist soil at 70 degrees F. Start them indoors about eight weeks before your average last frost. 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.

Design Tips:

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.

Maintenance:

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.

Fertilize with a balanced 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.

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.

Other details:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season

Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Patent Information:
Non-patented

Propagation Methods:
From seed; direct sow after last frost

Seed Collecting:
Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry

Companion Plants

We have a wide variety of Organic, Heirloom, Rare, Open-pollinated & NON GMO ,Vegetable, Herb, Fruit,and Flower Seeds for sale.