Balsam flower is also known as Touch-me-not ( you will see the reason later). This beautiful flower comes in different vibrant colors that attract many beneficial insects, including the hummingbird moth. Coming from South East Asia, this flower is one of the heat-tolerant flowers.
How to grow balsam flowers?
The Balsam flower is a heat-loving plant. In central Texas, direct sow the seeds as soon as all danger of frost is passed. Make sure to amend the soil with compost for good drainage. Since balsam seeds are fast to germinate, it is not necessary to start them indoors. Also, Balsam is delicate that does not tolerate transplanting. Space the plants a foot apart for better air circulation.
How to care for balsam flowers?
This flower is easy to grow and does not require much care. Give it occasional watering, and it will do just fine. It loves the heat and blooms prolifically in the peak of summer. It grows well in both sun and part sun locations.
Do I need to fertilize balsam flowers?
If you prepare the planting site well with compost and organic amendment, your balsam plant will not ask for more.
Can I Grow Balsam in containers?
You absolutely can grow balsam plants in containers. Make sure it is at least 1/2 gallon big and drains well. Also, water regularly as container soil dries faster than inground soil.
Is Balsam a perennial plant?
The Balsam plant is a herbaceous annual. It thrives in the hot season and dies with the first frost. However, it readily reseeds itself, which may make it invasive. Read more about the pros and cons of growing balsam flowers here.
Does balsam flower smell good?
The Balsam flower does not emit a noticeable scent. You may smell a woody or vanilla-like scent when you squash the plant. However, it is mainly grown for its showy blooms.
How big does the balsam flower grow?
The Balsam plant does not grow big. It reaches about 30 inches in height and 8 inches in width. Its stem is hollow, so some people use it as a straw. The leaves are light green with an oblong shape. The flower ascends along the stem.
How to propagate the balsam plant?
The first time you grow a balsam plant, direct sow seeds in the soil. Once you have them in your garden, they will reseed themselves readily.
How to collect balsam seeds?
Balsam flower turns into a fuzzy pod once spent. These pods are exceptionally touchy, thus the name Touch-Me-Not. Exercise extreme finesse when collecting them to prevent them from exploding and spreading the seeds all over.
Is balsam flower edible?
The flower is edible and used in cake and cookie decorations like pansies. However, the balsam plant is also used in traditional medicine to heal skin inflammations and burns.
Can I use Balsam as a cut flower?
Balsam cannot be treated as a traditional cut flower because it has a short stem. Instead, you can pick the camellia-like blooms and float them in a glass bowl of water for an accent piece.
Balsam is great for cottage gardens.
Balsam flower is an excellent choice if you love the wild look of cottage gardens. It is a prolific bloomer and spreads easily to fill up space. It comes in colors like pink, purple, red, white, and bicolor.
Where can I buy seeds I haven’t seen any
Hi Barbara, baker creek has them. Check this link.
https://www.rareseeds.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=balsam
Thank you for passing by
GlD some one else wanted to know how to get them…want more of your information on all flowers…I like you
Balsam flower seeds are available at online seeds stores.
I am in need of the balsam seeds. How can i get it
Baker creek has some
https://www.rareseeds.com/store/vegetables/balsam/camelia-flowered-mix-balsam
Don’t buy them.
They are extremely invasive and once down, almost impossible to eradicate. They have displaced many native species in places like the UK where Himalayan balsam was imported last century from the far East as an ornamental plant. Avoid
Some one mentioned the same thing, but they were from another state. I don’t know where you are, but mine did not come back. I grew them twice in the past years and this year none showed up.
Some plants could be invasive in some areas and not in others.
Thank you for expressing your concern.we certainly need to watch out.
🙏🏻🙏🏻