Garden balsam (Impatiens balsamina)
Care, watering, light and tips for Garden balsam on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Balsaminaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 2 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Garden balsam
Impatiens balsamina, known as 'Flittig Lise' or 'Garden Balsam', is a popular annual plant celebrated for its colorful and abundant flowers resembling small camellias. Its succulent stems and lance-shaped leaves give it a dense and vibrant appearance. It is ideal for pots, hanging baskets, and shaded garden borders, providing continuous color throughout the summer.
Native range
Tropical and subtropical Asia, especially in India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and southern China.
Care tips
It prefers partial to full shade, as direct sun can scorch its leaves and flowers. It requires consistent and abundant watering to keep the substrate moist, but not waterlogged, as it is very sensitive to drought. Use a rich, well-draining substrate with plenty of organic matter. A common mistake is allowing the substrate to dry out completely, which leads to leaf and flower drop.
How to save a dying Garden balsam
- Warning signs
- Yellow or drooping leaves, soft stems, no blooms, general wilting.
- First aid
- Check watering (not dry, not soggy). Place in bright indirect light. Prune dead or sick stems.
- What kills it
- Too much direct sun (burns leaves) and, above all, constant waterlogging of the soil.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act quickly and adjust watering/light. They are resilient if mistakes are corrected.