Wikimedia Commons
Balsaminaceae
Garden Balsam
Impatiens balsamina
Impatience and ardent love.
- Family
- Balsaminaceae
- Genus
- Impatiens
- Native to
- South Asia, Southeast Asia
- Bloom season
- Summer, Fall
- Type
- Annual
- Height
- 20-75 cm
- Sunlight
- Full sun to partial shade
- Soil
- Rich, moist, well-draining
- Water
- Regular
- Hardiness
- 2-11
- Lifespan
- Annual
Did you know
- The ripe seed pods explode when touched, launching seeds several feet away, hence the name 'Impatiens'.
- In traditional Chinese medicine, the flowers are used to create a natural nail dye called 'phoenix fairy flower'.
- Garden balsam has been cultivated in Asian gardens for over 500 years.
- The flowers are tucked along the stem close to the main stalk, partially hidden by leaves.
- In parts of Asia, crushed petals are applied to fingernails as a natural orange-red nail polish.
Color meanings
0
Motherly love
1
Impatience
2
Touch me not