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Canada Balsam

About Canada Balsam

Canada Balsam is a relatively rare houseplant 🌿 that is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

Canada Balsam likes soil that is good at retaining moisture. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

Canada Balsam belongs to the Abies genus, and is native to Appalachian Mountains.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Abies balsamea

Genus

Abies

Family

Pinaceae

Order

Pinales

Also known as

Balsam fir and Abies balsamea fir

How to care for Canada Balsam

💦 Water

How often to water your Canada Balsam

Canada Balsam needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Canada Balsam in your home

Canada Balsam love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Canada Balsam does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Canada Balsam in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Canada Balsam

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Canada Balsam: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Canada Balsam after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

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Browse #CanadaBalsam

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Canada Balsam is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

How to Grow Canada Balsam →

Benefits of Growing Canada Balsam →

Common Canada Balsam Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Canada Balsam →

💦 Water Needs

Canada Balsam prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Canada Balsam Water Frequency →

Canada Balsam Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Canada Balsam requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Canada Balsam Light Requirements →

Canada Balsam Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Canada Balsam is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

Is Canada Balsam Edible? →

Canada Balsam Toxicity to Cats →

Canada Balsam Toxicity to Dogs →

Canada Balsam Toxicity to Humans →

🪴 Soil

Canada Balsam is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

Best Soil Mix for Canada Balsam →

Best Pots for Canada Balsam →

When and How to Successfully Repot Canada Balsam →

What Are Healthy Canada Balsam Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Canada Balsam grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Canada Balsam →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Canada Balsam grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Canada Balsam Lifecycle →

Canada Balsam Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Canada Balsam →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Canada Balsam can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 3a-6a. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Canada Balsam Temperature Tolerance →

Canada Balsam Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Canada Balsam →

When to Plant Canada Balsam →

How to Plant Canada Balsam →

Where to Plant Canada Balsam →

Winter Care for Canada Balsam →

Best Companion Plants for Canada Balsam →

Is Canada Balsam a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Canada Balsam can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Canada Balsam →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Canada Balsam, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.