Balsam (Impatiens balsamina) is also known as garden balsam,
rose balsam, touch-me-not and spotted snapweed.
Balsam is an annual flower originating from India/Myanmar. Besides the beautiful flowers, the plant produces seed pods that 'snap' at the slightest of concussive force sending seeds flying out of the pod in all directions. The plant's leaves have been used for a form of nail dying in some cultures. The plant is reported to have
medicinal properties ranging from treating snakebites to digestive issues.
In my
experience, it was an easy germinating plant that transplanted well. I planted my plants in a
raised bed under semi-shaded conditions and they flourished growing almost three feet fall. I received a few rounds of seed pod production in zone 5B making the job of saving seed a little bit easier. The pods take a little time to get used to in order to gather seed in a reasonable time frame but they do fight you a bit. If you aren't careful, the seed pods snap and send seeds across your kitchen table.