Plant Encyclopedia: Balsam

March 8, 2018 by Kasi Smith Leave a Comment

Plant Care Basics

Make your flower garden look great with this simple flower gardening ideas. Balsam is a great addition to your flower garden, and a great flower for beginner gardeners!

Grow Zone Recommendation: As an annual, balsam adds a bit of an exotic flair to any garden in USDA zones 3 to 10.

Sunlight Needs: For best results gardening with balsam, plant them in locations that will be somewhat shady, at least from the afternoon sun.

Watering Needs: Balsam requires moist (not wet), but well-drained soil. Water your plants at least weekly during dry periods.

Average Size: Fully grown, balsam grows from 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet in width.

Foliage Color: The foliage is an emerald green. The trumpet-shaped blooms appear fall and summer, in colors of white, pink, red, or blue, depending on variety.

Must Know Plant Care Tips: Balsam are fairly easy to maintain and fairly forgiving. You can buy plants or grow easily from seed, starting indoors about 8 weeks before your usual last frost. Plan on waiting about 60 days from seeding to see your first blooms. Don’t cover seeds with soil, since the light will help germination. When planting outdoors, place them about 1 foot apart in groups of 5 to 7 plants, or more. A time release fertilizer should be given at the time of transplanting, when the plants are at least 2 inches tall with strong roots.

Plant Problem Solver: Balsam resists a lot of the most common garden pests, but may be bothered by powdery mildew, soil nematodes, or other problems. However, these issues are usually pretty infrequent. Watering at ground level, such as with a drip system, will help prevent mildew. Balsam will grow well in containers as long as they have good drainage and are given adequate moisture. At the end of the season, collect the seed pods for the following year. Let them dry and store in a closed plastic bag or jar in a cool, dark space.

Pretty Pairings: Try planting balsam with impatience, sweet potato vine, or coleus.

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