garden balsam

Water garden balsam often enough to keep soil moist, but not soggy. It's best to water in the morning so any water remaining on the leaves can dry off before evening. During hot summer days, garden balsam may need to be watered twice a day to keep soil moist. If the soil dries out, the flowers will wilt and may not return to their normal state even when watered.

Garden balsam (Impatiens balsamina) is a herbaceous annual that prefers full sun to partial shade and will grow best in areas that receive at least 6 hours of sun per day. In hotter climates, garden balsam will appreciate some afternoon shade to protect it from the sun's intense heat during the peak summer months. When planted in too much shade, however, garden balsam will not be able to produce the vibrant flowers for which it's known. For that reason, gardeners should opt for a location with plenty of sunlight in the early to late morning with some afternoon shade.

Garden balsam (Impatiens balsamina) requires pruning regularly to keep it from becoming overgrown. Pruning should take place in late spring or early summer, just after the plant blooms. Start by removing any dead or damaged stems and leaves and trim back any stems that are growing too tall. Pinching tips off of the stem will encourage the plant to grow in a more compact, bushy form. For garden balsam, a light trim is all that is needed. Avoid pruning more than 1 third of the plant as this will reduce flowering.