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The tender annual known as balsam (Impatiens Balsamina) is a flowering heirloom plant originally from Southeast Asia. It grows about one to two feet tall and has soft, fleshy stems. The leaves are long, glossy and pointed while the cup shaped single or double flowers are said to resemble camellias, roses or gardenias. Like other plants in the impatiens family, balsam is also known as “touch-me-not” because when the seedpods are touched they explode and scatter their contents all over.

Common varieties of balsam include Balsam Mix, which semi-double flower in different shades of pink and the Camellia Flowering Mixture, which has double flowers that resemble roses. Most balsam flowers come in colors like pink, purple, white, red or cream. Dwarf balsam plants are about ten inches tall while most types become more than two feet tall.

The History of Balsam

Balsam is native to India and is quick to grow and bloom and there are both annual and perennial types. The Chinese grew and used it as a medicinal herb. Thomas Jefferson grew double balsam in 1767. These flowers were used as bedding plants in America during the 19th century. Balsam flowers are close to the stem so in Victorian times gardeners used to pull off some leaves in order to better display the flowers. These plants predate the popular low growing shade loving impatiens which did not become a staple in American Gardens until after the 1940s. In the language of flowers, balsam symbolizes impatience with a lover.

Uses for Balsam

Balsam flowers have many uses, both in the home garden and in alternative medicine. In the garden, it is commonly used as a border. While balsam plants can grow well in containers if the pot is large enough, don’t try to confine it in a small pot. Balsam also attracts beneficial insects like bees.

Some people also use balsam as a medicinal herb. Some believe that the juice from a crushed balsam plant will treat poison ivy. Though, beware not to eat balsam without considering the possibility of harmful effects. The plant can be harmful if eaten raw but if it is cooked well or dried thoroughly the harmful agent is destroyed. The best parts of the plants to cook and eat are the young stems and the leaves. The seeds can be eaten either raw or cooked. Besides poison ivy, people believe that balsam relives joint pains and warts. Please consult a health care practitioner before using balsam to treat any ailments.

How to Grow Balsam

Balsam plants can be directly seeded outdoors in the garden as soon as the weather is warm and the last frost has passed. Or, to have early blooming plants, balsam can be started indoors about six weeks before the last frost date. Use a pot or seed starting tray and fill it with soil. After spreading the seeds over the top of the soil cover them with about 1/8” of soil. Keep the soil warm and moist, but not soaking. The seeds should sprout in about four or five days. Once the seedlings emerge place them under grow lights or another source that will allow them to get fourteen to sixteen hours per day. The plant will begin to flower about two months after the seeds sprout.

Once there is no more concern about frost the balsam plants can be planted outdoors. Like most plants, balsam prefers a rich, well drained soil. Space the balsam transplants at least a foot apart. Grow them two feet apart if the plants will be trained to be very bushy. Balsam can be grown in either full sun or part shade. If it is very hot in the region where the balsam is grown it will do better with a little afternoon shade. Balsam can reseed itself.