How to Grow Balsam Purple King Mixed Colors
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Balsam Purple King Mixed Colors
Impatiens balsamina
flowerBalsam is a tender annual flower featuring full, rose-like blooms in shades of purple, pink, red, and white. These charming plants grow upright and bushy, reaching 24-30 inches tall, and produce abundant flowers along the stems throughout the growing season. They are heat and humidity tolerant, making them excellent for warm-season gardens.
When should you plant Balsam Purple King Mixed Colors in your zone?
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Example Balsam Purple King Mixed Colors timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Balsam Purple King Mixed Colors
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Balsam Purple King Mixed Colors blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Balsam Purple King Mixed Colors dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Annual in all zones; thrives in warm conditions (zones 5-11)
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Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves emerging within 7-10 days of germination. Seedlings are delicate and light green.
Maintain warm temperatures (70-75°F), high humidity, and consistent moisture. Provide bright, indirect light. Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksBushy plants developing multiple stems and expanding leaf production. Foliage becomes fuller and more robust, reaching 6-12 inches tall.
Pinch back growing tips when plants reach 4-6 inches to encourage branching and bushier growth. Continue regular watering and maintain partial shade. Fertilize every 2 weeks with balanced or flowering fertilizer.
Flowering
6-10 weeks (until frost or end of season)Abundant rose-like double flowers appearing in purple, pink, red, and white shades along the stems. Flowers are 1-2 inches across and bloom continuously.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Maintain consistent moisture and partial shade. Fertilize every 10-14 days with a phosphorus-rich formula to support flowering.
Maturity & Peak Bloom
Until first frostFully developed 24-30 inch tall plants covered in flowers. Plant reaches maximum flower production and ornamental value.
Continue regular deadheading and watering. Watch for pests and diseases. Reduce fertilizer slightly if plants become too leafy at the expense of flowers.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity by misting, use neem oil spray, or introduce predatory mites. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap, or neem oil. Encourage air circulation.
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Spray with strong water stream, apply insecticidal soap, or use neem oil. Introduce natural predators like ladybugs.
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Hand-pick in early morning, use slug traps with beer, apply diatomaceous earth, or use copper tape barriers.
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Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, spray with sulfur or fungicide. Remove infected leaves.
Uses
Edible Flowers
CulinaryBalsam flowers are edible and can garnish salads or desserts, adding a delicate, slightly spicy flavor and vibrant color to dishes. [source]
Traditional Medicine
MedicinalIn traditional Ayurvedic and Asian medicine, balsam is used to treat skin conditions, wounds, and inflammation. The plant contains compounds with potential anti-inflammatory properties. [source]
Natural Dye
HouseholdThe flowers and petals have been historically used to create natural dyes for fabrics and paper, producing shades of pink, red, and purple. [source]
Cut Flowers & Arrangements
CraftThe showy, rose-like blooms in mixed colors make excellent fresh-cut flowers for bouquets and floral arrangements, lasting well in water. [source]
Pollinator Garden
WildlifeBalsam flowers attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, making them valuable for pollinator gardens and creating habitat for beneficial insects. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Balsams are ornamental flowers harvested for display rather than seed harvest in most cases. Cut stems with blooms early in the morning when flowers are fully open for fresh arrangements. If collecting seeds, allow flowers to mature on the plant; seed pods develop and eventually burst open (hence the name 'touch-me-not'). Collect ripe seed pods just before they explode to prevent self-seeding.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Balsams are sometimes called 'touch-me-nots' or 'snapweeds' because their mature seed pods explode violently when touched, propelling seeds up to 6 feet away—a natural dispersal mechanism.
- 🌱 In many Asian countries, particularly India and Bangladesh, balsam flowers are traditionally used to dye nails for celebrations and special occasions, creating natural reddish hues without artificial chemicals.
- 🌱 Balsam has been cultivated for over 400 years and was a favorite Victorian garden flower, valued for its ability to thrive in shaded, moist garden corners where other plants struggled.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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