Balsam

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

How to Grow Balsam →

Indoor Care Guide for Balsam →

Outdoor Care Guide for Balsam →

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.

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 🏡.

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.

Balsam prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Balsam does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Pots for Balsam →

What Are Healthy Balsam Roots →

Balsam should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

Balsam is native to the Northern Hemisphere.

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

Balsam Lifecycle →

Balsam Size Guide →

USDA Hardiness Zone
Balsam can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 2a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Balsam Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Balsam →

When to Plant Balsam →

How to Plant Balsam →

Where to Plant Balsam →

Winter Care for Balsam →

Best Companion Plants for Balsam →

Is Balsam a Weed? →

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

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 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!

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.

What Eats Balsam? →

• Why Is My Balsam Wilting? →