Quercus

Garden Balsam

Impatiens balsamina

Not native to South Carolina

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Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

16CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including SC

Genus host records with ranges including SC · Impatiens

  • Argyrotaenia velutinanaRed-Banded Leafroller Moth, Jack Pine Tube Moth
  • Caripeta divisataGray Spruce Looper Moth
  • Choristoneura fumiferanaSpruce Budworm Moth
  • Coelostathma discopunctanaThe Batman Moth
  • Euchlaena obtusariaObtuse Euchlaena
  • Euphyia intermediataSharp-Angled Carpet Moth, The Intermediate
  • Orthodes majusculaRustic Quaker, Rustic Groundcat
  • Pseudorthodes vecorsSmall Brown Quaker, Small Brown Groundcat
  • Spodoptera eridaniaSouthern Armyworm Moth
  • Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth
Show all 16
  • Spodoptera latifasciaOrange-Striped Armyworm, Velvet Armyworm Moth
  • Spoladea recurvalisHawaiian Beet Webworm
  • Vanessa virginiensisAmerican Lady, American Painted Lady
  • Xanthorhoe lacustrataToothed Brown Carpet
  • Olethreutes albiciliana
  • Pristerognatha agilana
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
3BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Impatiens

  • Bonasa umbellusRuffed Grouse
  • Colinus virginianusNorthern Bobwhite
  • Pheucticus ludovicianusRose-breasted Grosbeak
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Balsaminaceae
Hardiness
Zones 2a–11b
Soil pH
Acidic to alkaline
Flower color
Pink, purple, red or white

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Garden Balsam; Garden Touch Me Not

Conservation status

South Carolina rankNot available
Global rankGNR
SC statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources