Growing Balsam flowers is easy. Native to Asia, Balsam is a Victorian garden favorite. It is a quick-growing summer annual flower, with gardenia-like blooms. Continuous blooms grow on top of a bushy plant with glossy leaves. Balsam is a member of the Impatiens family. Colors include shades of white, pink, rose, violet, and red. Balsam are native to Asia, North America, and South Africa. There are annual and perennial varieties.
Balsam is often grown in containers on balconies and terraces. Use large pots to provide plenty of space for them. Balsam also is a good bedding or edging plant.
Flower Colors: Pink, purple, red, white, and bi-colors.
Plant Height: 14″ – 20″
Days to Bloom: You will get blooms in about 60-70 days.
Flowers Bloom: Long flowering, from summer through fall.
Other Names: Rose Balsam
Impatiens, Balsamina
Balsam flowers are grown from seed. They can be directly seeded into your flower garden, or seeded indoors in trays or flats for transplanting later. Sow indoor starts about 6 weeks before the last frost. Keep soil moist while germinating.
Sow balsam seeds early in the season, and cover with 1/8″ of soil. Water thoroughly. It is important to keep the soil moist during the germination period.
Balsam will begin to produce a continuous, profusion of flowers by early to mid-summer, and all the way to frost.
Days to Germination: 10 – 15 days.
Balsam likes full to partial sun. Shade the plants from the afternoon sun, especially in hot regions.
They prefer rich, well-drained soil.
Space plants 12-18 inches apart.
Water them during dry periods, once or twice per week. Don’t allow the roots to remain wet.
Add a general-purpose fertilizer regularly for optimum growth.
Once established, Balsam will grow well and bloom continuously well into fall. Annual varieties are susceptible to frost.
Also, See:
Plant Problems – causes and cures
If insect or disease problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicide.
©1999-2023 GardenersNet.Com, All Rights Reserved