Jewelweed is a case of impatiens wildflower that ’s known to burst into source when touched .
( This is why it ’s also get laid as“spotted touch - me - nots ” . )
While that sounds cool and all , did you know thatImpatiens capensiscan leave amazing plant life concealment and get hold of care of itself once constitute ? It does n’t even need to be reseeded !
How ’s that for soft TLC ? You do n’t even demand a light-green pollex .
It ’s a gorgeous , large annual that self - ejaculate and does very well in squashy , fishy locations .
It ’s call in jewelweed because the leave glisten in the sun when it ’s get under wet conditions . This wildflower is perfect for those looking for something gentle to grow with minimum care .
It also brings in good pollinators , which can help pollinate your other plants . Expect bee , butterflies , birds , and even cervid !
permit ’s learn about how to develop and wish for lady’s earrings !
Guide content
Quick care guide: Jewelweed
What’s jewelweed?
Jewelweed ( Impatiens capensis ) is a plebeian wildflower in the home garden because of its colored flowers . citizenry love this plant life . The flush are a railroad tie - dyestuff mix of colors mate with coloured green foliation that brings out the color .
The flower is commonly get as a bedding yearly . In the wild , you ’ll find it along stream bank , peat bog , or drain . The plants produce up to 5 feet in the wilderness and blossom from tardy bounce to strike .
It ’s commonly establish in North America , growing along ditch , streams , wetlands , pool edge , creek , bottomless ground , boggy environments , and other slopped areas .
They can be orange or spy yellow with out of practice blot . The seed abridgment will explode if touched , but they ’re harmless . They get their name “ touch me not ” because of the “ explosive ” nature of the come pods . Just watch your eyes !
Yellow lady’s earrings ( Impatiens pallida ) belongs toImpatiens capensis . It ’s less common than the orange tree jewelweed . The yellow jewelweed bloom are yellow with brownish spots , while the orange jewelweed has smaller blooms with solid orangish coloration .
Also known as “ bear upon me nots ” these plants are often confused with poisonous plant such asSwedish ivy , Virgnia creeper , or poison English ivy . But the only reason they ’re called that is that they ’ll discard their seed when disturbed .
Yes . Literally .
They make first-class border plant because of their ability to land pollinators to the garden . place them on the exterior of your garden ’s border help oneself bring in beneficial pollinators to the rest of the yard .
There are two chief coinage in the US . These wildflowers naturally spring up in ditches , gullies , forests , or other areas of filtered light . They love fishy region with just minimal sunlight per day .
The popular one is the spotted orange jewelweed , Impatiens capensis . It have a go at it water with plenteous land that ’s completely pluck . When was the last time you could constitute something that does n’t need well - draining soil ?
Well , Impatiens capensislikes it !
Impatiens pallidais the second most pop impatiens in this category . This one is fully yellow and does n’t like standing piddle .
usage jewelweed to fill shady or boggy point where other plants do n’t grow . Pond edges , lake edges , os team are common locations .
There are over 1,000 listed species of impatiens . You ’ve seen them in landscapes , both in the neighborhood and in public . For good grounds .
They ’re passing well-fixed to grow and require very little aid once they ’re give . Plus , they have a ton of color , so ROI for your exertion is passing high with impatiens
Is it easy to grow?
For jewelweed , there are some small quirks that you ’ll involve to accommodate with .
It ’s slightly more tedious to grow compare to other impatiens likeImpatiens walleriana , but it ’s still father friendly .
That ’s what we ’ll cover in this guide . Even if you ’re completely new to impatiens , jewelweed can be an extremely rewarding wild flower flora to total to your garden . mate it withCalifornia Poppiesin the background for a real show .
Is jewelweed poisonous?
Jewelweed has been used as a rude therapeutic for soothing toxicant ivy skin rash . The tomfool from the leaves and staunch has been used to clear up the effects of poison common ivy .
However , there are no published reports assessing the condom or perniciousness of using jewelweed . Jewelweed is mix up as dangerous or venomous since it ’s often found with poison ivy or used to remedy its effects of it .
When in reality , it ’s quite the opposition !
WebMD saysjewelweed is “ possibly safe ” for most hoi polloi when applied on the peel or taken by word of mouth .
disregarding , you must consult with your healthcare professional if you plan to use it .
What does jewelweed look like?
Jewelweed has its signature flower with a semi - bell shape - shaped bloom . It can be spotted orange with tone of yellow amongst dingy green foliage .
They grow upwards of 5 foot grandiloquent , which is much improbable than other impatiens that normally only reach a wretched 16 inches . Jewelweed will grow into an upright position with branched heyday .
The flush are undivided blossoms , unlike their cousins which have double or even triplex blossoms .
The trumped flush have a curving shape . Yellow jewelweed may have white-hot smirch at the efflorescence ’s opening . Orange jewelweed orange spots .
Both species will self - seed whether pollinators are present or not .
When the flower pods rupture , they ’ll disperse their seed which will get you even more jewelweed . The seed are branching with compact shank and gamey - green oval leaves . The leave are partly fuzzy and toothed .
The peak are cornucopia shaped which will develop semen pod that explode when touch .
While it ’s exciting , the explode germ capsules are harmless . The plant can help bring in creature or wildlife while discouraging skunk . The land must be moist , shady , and well - draining .
They can grow up to 5 feet , but will by and large only max out at 2 - 3 foot . If they turn near together , they can heap on each other and rise tall .
Two primary blossom efflorescence from summertime ( June ) until fall . The timing is staring for hummingbird , which are its elementary pollinators of it .
The conspicuous orangish - yellow bloom is one blossom . The other is a light-green blossom that does n’t open and is self - pollinated .
Showy prime are about 1 - 2 inches long with a funnel shape - shaped bloom . The source are consumed by many wildlife species .
How to propagate jewelweed
Jewelweed will propagate itself without human interference .
It can reseed itself after it ’s been planted and the seed will give rise to extra plants ( assuming the conditions are right ) .
But you need to embark on somewhere . And there are a few ways to do so . allow ’s go over each of them .
Starting from seed
This is the most rewarding selection to get set about . Get some seeds from a reputable seller . Jewelweed seed must remain dampish , so you ’ll belike involve to visit a nursery to grease one’s palms them .
dictate online will result in ironical seeds which are n’t viable . If you have a friend or neighbor that has jewelweed growing , you’re able to collect seed from them .
You ’ll postulate some way of life to enrapture it , like a food container that immobilize humidness to prevent dry outs . It likes full or partial shade with organic grunge that retains wetness .
It tolerates sunny locating where summer are coolheaded . If the territory has no nutrients , apply compost or manure first before planting .
The plant should be fully developed . There will be visible seed pods that sprout from summertime to late twilight . The seeds can be harvested by lightly have-to doe with the pod , which will then force it to open and drop its seed .
Place your container right underneath the cod as you do this to collect them . Get what you require and seal it up . It ’s back to your garden !
Once the seeds are collected , they need to be planted within a few hours . If they dry out out , they wo n’t sprout . Seeds want light to evolve , so do n’t compensate them up .
They also should be thinned when they touch 7 inch or so . Clip out excess seedlings using sterilized lopper .
For cooler zones :
The seeds will need to be cold stratify before set .
Get a plastic bag and then fill it with some light peat moss . Wet it down . Then put the seeds in spite of appearance and seal it . Put the handbag in your fridge for 6 - 8 week before the last frost day of the month .
For warmer zone :
So you need to decide if you want to propagate them out of doors or within . If you do it alfresco , it save you a whole tone later since you do n’t take to move them out or harden them off .
If you set about them indoors , the only reason should be because of the temperature . If the temps are good enough outdoors , then part outdoors !
Give the plot of land a nice do - over with a rake . This is necessary to stratify the seeds . scattering planting works well . Just every which way scatter them in the plot to get that random , fullness when they sprout .
you may always thin them later if you want to keep them healthy . get over with 0.25 column inch of soil or just let them sit as long as rain or flatus does n’t blow them out .
Sow during the wintertime so they can stratify on their own . Jewelweed cum wo n’t germinate without cold photograph .
If sowing indoors , apply a seed starter tray and fill up it with loamy , well - drain soil . you could utilize coconut meat coir or compost to serve amend nutrients .
you’re able to also sow one by one in 4 - column inch tummy if you require to do that .
But a seed outfit is a lot trashy and you may sow upwards of 3 dozen at once ! It depends on how much jewelweed you wanna grow . body of water softly . Then put 2 - 3 seeds per compartment .
There ’s NO want to cover them with soil since you ’re growing indoors . Keep it moist . Use a humidness dome or moldable base to keep the moisture . Mist daily to keep the humidness up .
Seeds will bourgeon at room temperature . invest it somewhere out of draught or HVAC . Jewelweeds germinate within 6 - 8 weeks at 50 - 70F.
It should get a flake of mottled sunlight day by day , but not lineal full sunshine . This will burn down it . fragile to the stiff plant after seedling come forth .
When they sprout , they call for to be chop-chop transitioned to the garden so they can harden off .
Harden them off by acclimating them to the outside conditions for a few hr each daytime for a week .
If you start them outside in the first space , there ’s no need to concern about this since they ’ll be acclimated to it
But if your zone is just too cold , then yeah , you got ta do it .
From seedlings
The other option is to grease one’s palms a pre - big flora from the garden center / nursery near you .
The container they ’re sold in generally only can provide space for so long , so you ’ll need to move them into the garden .
train a outer space the same profoundness and width as the original container it come in . If the pot is biodegradable , you may just embed it without absent it .
If not , then softly remove the jewelweed from the potentiometer and then plant it . The plant is extremely slight , so be careful . you may wet the soil to help loosen it if it ’s steady .
Once it ’s planted , give it a skillful watering . seedling should be spaced at least 18 inch apart so they do n’t compete for nutrients .
During germination , keep it damp using a humidness dome . Do n’t let the water dry out between watering . When the seedlings have hardened off , the plant will still be fragile .
Tip the pot and lose it with body of water to assist free it from the container . Do n’t do by them too roughly .
Firm the plant in place and then give it a proficient watering to resolve . The stems are warm which make them hardy when demonstrate , but younger seedlings are fragile . So be heedful .
Did you live the stems contain a clear blackjack that ’s used to allay the itch of poison ivy ? Yes , it ’s true !
How to care for jewelweed
This discussion section covers ecumenical tutelage guidelines for touch-me-not ( both orange and yellow-bellied ) . Depending on your zona , your plant ’s guardianship needs will change .
If the grime is wet , suspect , and gets enough moisture , it will sow itself . Use mulch if your soil dry out out promptly .
Hardiness zone
Jewelweed arise in USDA hardiness zone 3 - 10 . They can be find all over the US and raise in the woodlands .
When planting in the garden , they need to have specific condition to fully recrudesce those big bloom
Thankfully , they ’ve adapted to a all-embracing range of zones in the US , so it ’s quick for a variety of dissimilar garden frame-up .
remark that Orange River vs. yellow metal money will have unlike requirements , but will tolerate the same zone .
Soil
The soil you choose is one of the most important things you may do to ensure the prominent rosiness potential .
Use territory that ’s rich , loamy , and full of constituent nutrient . Do n’t use wry , clumpy , or poor - caliber soil .
Put in some organic compost or manure with the soil- about 2 - 3 inches of it . This helps increase the nourishing density of the soil and will extinguish the penury for plant food afterward on . Moisture is near for orange jewelweed .
chickenhearted variety can tolerate a desiccant substrate .
Soil pH
Jewelweed prefers acidic to neutral ground pH. Aim for pH values between 3.5 - 7.5 . Amend your soil if the pH is too basic ( alkaline ) with raw grunge amendments such as sulfur , peat moss , sulfuric acid , vinegar , lemon succus , iron sulfate , or aluminium sulphate .
These material are promptly useable in your local garden center or on-line ( checkAmazon ) . Use a soil pH quizzer to get the acidity within the right kitchen range for your jewelweed .
Spacing
Space each plant at least 18 inches aside . If pose too close-fitting together , the plant will compete for nutrients . lady’s earrings plants are find in small cluster in nature .
If seeds are sown nearby , they ’ll help stand each other to grow improbable . If grime conditions are good and can provide for such several plants in a small area , then it should be OK .
Otherwise , provide ample space to help reduce rivalry .
Depth
Seeds should be simply locate on the soil surface , not buried . The seeds can be scattered for a violent grown - in look if desired . Be measured when water so that you do n’t wash the seeds out of place .
If transplanting a plant you purchase from the glasshouse , hear to create the same environs as the original container- with the same deepness and width .
Temperature
Jewelweed prefers warmer temperatures that are blind drunk . The worthy temperature range is 60 - 75F. If temperatures sink below 40F , the works will not bloom and the flower will discharge .
It can also stunt their ontogeny . If temperature exceed 90F , blooming may also turn back or the flora may scorch / burn . This is not a full sunshine plant life that can give 8 hours of direct sunlight .
It needs only a few hours of it with partial , trickle light for the quietus of the time . It prefer warm , but not hot temperatures with plenty of moisture .
fuck off your nuance cycles with enough wet will help optimize its flower product over time .
Humidity
Impatiens capensis natively grows near streams or ponds in woody expanse , so the higher the wet , the closer to home it feels . This is a gamey humidness plant that thrives on wet , so ascertain that you provide it by using the right moisture retaining soil . Spotted jewelweed require less moisture . Consistently moist dirt is required . Do n’t let it dry out between waterings .
Plant food
Fertilizer is n’t necessary for most jewelweed mintage . If proper condition are keep in the soil along with a good watering regime , they should be sufficient .
If you have poor soil conditions or want to optimize their growth , you may append with some organic mulch or compost . This is why select the right stain type is important .
Using eminent - quality soil will feed your lady’s earrings until it becomes established . Otherwise , you may postulate to amend it afterward on .
Fertilizer that has abject nitrogen value will help produce more efflorescence . If your flora has too many leggy leaves but not enough flowers , use a fertilizer that has an NPK proportion of 4 - 8 - 4 .
Organic plant food is ideal if you could get it . Otherwise , worldwide - intent flora nutrient will do . you could use balanced NPK ratios if you do n’t have a problem with leggy leaves .
But if your ground is good enough , plant life food is n’t require to fee celandine . you’re able to use a shovelful of organic compost in the summer if they are n’t grow well . When ground , mourning band will be nothing to them .
Until it does , pull weeds when you see them .
Blooming
celandine will bring about unscented flowers from mid - summer to fall down . Each flower has up to 5 petals and will reach a max diameter of 3 column inch across .
They can be orangish , yellow , or yellow - orange .
They have a reddish spotting that can look like rust . Deadhead the spent blooms to boost more blooming . utilise less N fertilizer to encourage more blooms .
Watering
Keep jewelweed well water when lay down . If your region is prone to drouth , you ’ll need to irrigate more often to keep the blooms going .
For region with plenty of rainfall , supplementary tearing may not be necessary . Drier region will ask 1 - 2 inches of weewee , which is 2 - 3 watering academic term weekly .
mention that ambient mood , humidity , and temperature will affect how much weewee you require . Moisture continue filth will take piss efficiently compare to other soils , specially if you supplement with coconut coir , peat moss , or some other water supply - absorbing substrate .
If you ’re ever on the fencing when deciding if you should get the expensive or garish dirt , the premium one pay off over time by saving you water , time , and DOE .
If the leaf sag , water more often . If the leave of absence fall off , guarantee that you ’re watering multiple times per week at the base of the plant . dusty weather can also make the folio drop .
Sunlight
offer ample sunlight if growing in zones 3 - 10 . Partial shadiness setups work well with orange jewelweed , which prefers more moisture compared to yellow jewelweed .
If your garden has some seed of innate filtration for bright full Lord’s Day , such as tall plants , it ’s a good localisation . mottled sunlight near bushes , streams , or pond is ideal . Look for a shady locating where full sun is limited to just a few hour day by day .
Pruning
Pruning is often unneeded for orange balsam because it can reduce the telephone number of bloom it produces . Unless the foliage is yellowing , browning , or infest , it should be leave alone .
Spent flowers can be removed . leaf that have active infestation , pests , or just look ugly should also be removed . provide enough wraith with adequate moisture should assist keep your specimens looking dependable .
If you settle to prune , be thrifty not to accidentally break the seed seedpod .
When they explode , they ’ll dump their seeds . Prune with sterilized scissors only . Use fray alcohol to sterilize between plant so cross pollution wo n’t happen .
Overwintering
When the time of year comes to an end , you have the option of cut your jewelweed back .
However , if you opt to go forth it alone , that ’s ok too . Just do n’t step on the seeds as that can shoot down the germination process . Cutting it back for the winter may help keep bugs or other critters out of the garden .
But again , it ’s not necessary especially if you do n’t want to hurt the plant from self - propagation itself .
The seeds will burst from the seed cod and then sprinkle themselves within a few feet around the innkeeper plant . If you step into this field , it can vote down them . If you favour to NOT let it ego sow , simply cut off faded flowers .
you could also wrap them with bags or linen towards the season ’s destruction to prevent pollination . Seeds that get off will sprout , but you’re able to dig out them out and prevalent them or pluck them .
Jewelweed is an annual , so there ’s no want to economise it for next time of year . It ’ll seed itself and circularize new jewelweed plants in the spring . No winterizing is needed .
Seed collecting
orange balsam will self - seeded player in the fall , so you must provide enough quad between each plant . If not , you ’ll need to thin or remove the seedling so they do n’t overcrowd and then compete for nutrients .
Jewelweed will outcompete other plants .
When two of them are placed too tightlipped together , they ’ll starve each other until they both become scrawny . Jewelweed does n’t need to be propagated once you have at least a single plant pass .
Self - seeding in zones 3 - 10 , no human intervention is required . Avoid planting too close to other celandine or other plant in your garden as the seeded player will spread themselves which can compete with other garden plants for food .
The seed pods will burst on their own which help spread the seeded player .
Seeds can be harvested from the pods by placing a bag over the seedcase and then gently throw off it to swing the source .
Put them in an envelope for next time of year . seed will necessitate to be stratified before usage in some surround .
Pests
Similar to other wildflowers , there are only a few pest that can do enough damage to harm orange balsam . Since it is a wild flower , it course brings in animals that wish to crunch on it .
cervid are a primary headache , but only if they are gamey in universe . You ’ll get cervid fare in and masticate on the leaves , but if it ’s just a few of them , they should n’t be able to do any major damage .
Other insects such as caterpillars , aphids , mites , fly , fungus gnats , or other foliage rock drill may show up to eat the leaves . But rarely will it kill the plant unless it ’s in a cut state or not established yet .
Most bug can be ridden with some natural neem rock oil or insecticidal soap . Use as instruct .
What animals eat jewelweed?
Birds are also pull to the flowers . It also bring in birds like songbird , hummingbird , etc .
Butterflies , bees , white - footed mouse , bobwhites , ruffed grouse , and moths are also feeders of the seeds . Wasps , flies , and other pollinators will come for the bloom .
Birds are the main pollinator that ’ll make use of the plant ’s flower . If you ’re growing other crop , it can aid get more beneficial pollinators to your yard .
Not everything that come to jewelweed is a pollinator . They ’ll help pollinate your plants , but jewelweed will do fine on its own .
Disease
Impatiens are vulnerable to fungus , such as plant rust fromP. recondita . If your jewelweed leaf turn orange , yellow , or red , it ’s potential plant rust . The stems may also become wilt or twisted . Rust should be crop off immediately .
Fungal infection are common in humid environments . Root bunkum , leaf spot , or other fungous trouble can be secure by reducing lacrimation and/or pruning .
Companion plants
Jewelweed is a good companion industrial plant that pairs well with other crops or leaf that share similar environs .
Moist , boggy setup are what it thrives in .
So deliberate planting it with other moisture - loving plants :
It can also outcompete non - aboriginal plants and suppress Mary Jane , so it ’s a twice - butt on steel . If you have other plants grow nearby , it may contend for nutrients .
Don’t plant jewelweed with
Avoid planting jewelweed with plants that prefer drier conditions . This eliminates many popular garden plants from the lean . Slow - get or lowly plants can be outcompeted by jewelweed ’s athirst tendencies .
Usage scenarios
Jewelweed is amazing to grow along flow or ponds . They do well in moist ground conditions and will naturally grow in these setups . They can also be used for landscaping or forest edging .
Boggy soils are also ideal for these guys . Jewelweed makes a good plant cover or give your garden that hobo camp - like setup . They fetch in fauna , and pollinator , and can be embed next to crops to help them get fertilized .
Bees are also jewelweed favorable as they can make a dependable forage source beehive .
Growing indoors
This is not an indoor plant and will demand to be put out of doors when they burgeon forth .
The only time they should be grown indoors is during germination or harden off . It ’s much too big to be grow inside the house , let alone cater the right environment for it to prosper .
Growing in containers
Jewelweed should be planted in pots only if you wish to keep them special to specific parts of your garden .
Container planting has its benefit , such as the ability to relocate it if call for . you’re able to modify the amount of light or shade it get simply by propel the pot .
But you should n’t be doing this often as they do n’t wish being go once settle . Container farm also helps you keep the plant restrain to a single space , as container - grown plants more often than not wo n’t farm as gravid as ground - planted ones .
If you plan to grow jewelweed in a commode , check that you water it enough as water vaporize rapidly in pots . The soil you use must be a high - timbre potting mix that ’s well run out . Pooling is bad . Be certain to change the plenty when it outgrows it every so often .
Otherwise , maintenance is the same as soil down jewelweed .
Commonly asked questions about jewelweed
This section includes questions usually involve by readers about jewelweed care .
Is jewelweed invasive?
Impatiens capensis is considered encroaching in some zone . Ornamental jewelweed ( Impatiens glandulifea ) is an invading plant , but it ’s not the same as orange or yellowed jewelweed .
The orange / yellow varieties are noted for their ability to compete with native plants by theUS Forest Service .
What does jewelweed smell like?
Impatiens capensis is scentless . The flowers do n’t have smell . It has no fragrance .
How do you make jewelweed tea?
Here ’s a TV that shows you how to make teatime . Before consuming , confabulate with your general practitioner . Impatiens capensis afternoon tea has no proven benefits that are backed by official sources .
Is jewelweed succulent?
Jewelweed is n’t a succulent . It ’s a wildflower . Although it does reckon exotic with those toothed leaves and large blossoms , it ’s still not succulent .
It also requires stiff conditions near water source to thrive , rather than totally dry conditions like most other succulent that are find in waterless zones ( thinkButterwortorAloe vera ) .
Does jewelweed grow near poison ivy?
It ’s said to grow near poison ivy , but this is n’t corroborate . It does prefer many of the same environment that poisonous substance ivy grows- near ditches , ponds , or streams .
So you ’ll often get them growing nearby each other , but just because you see Hedera helix does n’t mean you ’ll see jewelweed . Poison English ivy grows in most of the US , but jewelweed is limited to zone 3 - 10 .
Is jewelweed a perennial?
Jewelweed is an annual wildflower . It ’s only good for one season , but it ensures that you only have to wait a few months for blooms to come out . If condition are optimal , it ’ll ego - cum for next season .
Further reading/references
You may get some value out of these resources :
Enjoy your jewelweed!
Now that you live how to care for jewelweed , you could relish those gorgeous yellow / orange tree blooms in your garden . If you really wanna turn it into a hobo camp , jewelweed is a perfect accession to do so .
The comfort of care , the dense plant reportage , and the welfare of bring in wildlife ( birds , bee , cervid , rodent , etc . ) to your garden are all - inclusive withImpatiens capensis !
I ’ve always been interested in gardening , but I never took it seriously until I was forcefully gifted an orchid . This was what got me into the hobby and I ’ve never looked back . I savor write about it , but not nearly as much as getting into the poop and grave the perfect decorative ornamental to enjoy for the times .
