Garden balsam Impatiens balsamina
Garden balsam (Impatiens balsamina) is an annual flowering plant in the Balsaminaceae family, native to India, southern China and Southeast Asia. It grows 30–70 cm (12–28 in) tall and 25–40 cm (10–16 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 1 °C (34 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
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Garden balsam at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Balsaminaceae |
| Mature height | 30–70 cm (12–28 in) |
| Mature spread | 25–40 cm (10–16 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 1 °C (34 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 33 °C (91 °F) |
| Flowering | about 7–11 weeks after planting, for 9–14 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 90 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | India, southern China and Southeast Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇨🇳 China |
Is Garden balsam toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: sap, foliage
Sap contains lawsone-type naphthoquinones that can irritate skin; pet effects are not clearly documented.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Garden balsam
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Garden balsam
- How far apart should I plant Garden balsam?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 25–40 cm (10–16 in).
- Does Garden balsam need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Garden balsam need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Garden balsam?
- It tolerates about 1 °C (34 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Garden balsam flower?
- About 7–11 weeks after planting, for 9–14 weeks.
- Is Garden balsam poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Sap contains lawsone-type naphthoquinones that can irritate skin; pet effects are not clearly documented.
- What grows well with Garden balsam?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Garden balsam. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Ripe seed pods burst when touched; self-seeds readily. Needs steady moisture.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Busy Lizzie (impatiens) Impatiens walleriana
- New Guinea impatiens Impatiens hawkeri
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea